How to Grow Graviola Fruit

The graviola, or cherimoya, tree is a member of the Annona family. Native to the mountain valleys of Bolivia, Columbia and Ecuador, it is known as graviola in Brazil, pox in Mexico, chirimorrinon in Venezuela and anone in France. The shrubby, deciduous graviola tree grows 15 to 30 feet tall and begins producing fruit between three and five years of age. The graviola thrives in temperatures between 62 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Grown outdoors in Southern California and Florida, it requires frost protection. Home gardeners should consider growing the graviola in greenhouses or indoors as large potted plants.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

Shovel
Mulch
Fertilizer, 10-8-6 formulation
Anvil pruners
Paper bag
Small paintbrush

1

Select a location in the garden that receives eight hours of direct sun daily. The graviola cannot tolerate temperatures below 26 degrees Fahrenheit. Planting the tree against a wall with southern exposure that is sheltered from the wind is advisable in cooler climates.

2

Dig the planting hole three times the width and slightly deeper than the root ball. Do not amend the soil. If the soil is a heavy clay, consider building a raised bed. The graviola requires a well-drained soil and does not grow well in clay soil.

3

Slide the tree into the planting hole, carefully arranging the roots over the soil. If the graviola is grafted to a sturdy rootstock, keep the graft 2 to 4 inches above the surface of the soil. Backfill with the excavated soil, tamping gently around the tree. Mold a 4-to-6-inch high, 24-inch diameter basin around the tree with the excess soil. Fill the basin with water, and allow it to soak into the soil.

4

Add 3 inches of mulch to the basin, pulling it back 4 inches from the tree trunk. Mulch helps the soil retain water and inhibits weed growth. However, in South America, many growers interplant vegetables and flowers when planting in groves. You may prefer to scatter drought-tolerant wildflower seeds around your graviola tree.

5

Fill the basin with water every two weeks, and allow it to soak into the soil. Stop watering after the graviola loses its leaves in the fall. Resume watering when the leaf buds appear in the spring.

6

Fertilize with a 10-8-6 fertilizer six months after planting. Continue to fertilize every six months for the first three years. When the tree begins producing flowers, begin using a 6-10-8 fertilizer annually.

7

Prune the branches in winter or early spring while the tree is dormant. The graviola is a shrubby tree, so pruning to clean up the trunk and open up the interior helps with air circulation and pest control.

8

Hand-pollinate the blossoms. The graviola has male and female blossoms. Pick the male blossoms in the afternoon, placing them in a paper bag overnight. In the morning, swirl a small paintbrush through the collected pollen in the bag and brush it gently on the female blossoms. Repeat every few days for a continuing harvest of fruits.

9

Pick the fruits when they begin showing a slight hint of yellow-green and are still firm. They should smell sweet. Allow the fruits to finish ripening at room temperature for 24 to 72 hours as the fruit softens.

Tips & Warnings

Monitor graviola trees for mealybugs. A strong stream of water usually knocks the pests off.

While graviola seeds are fertile, the best varieties are propagated by grafting. Purchase plants from a reputable vendor.

When growing indoors, pinch back the graviola to maintain it as a small tree or shrub. Do not over-water.

There are two different trees commonly called “graviola,” and both are members of the Annona family. The other “graviola” is also known as a soursop. It is a tropical tree and should be grown indoors or in a greenhouse. It cannot tolerate any frost.

Wear gloves and safety glasses when digging and pruning the graviola tree.

Do not consume the seeds and roots in any form. There is some evidence that graviola seed consumption may be linked to a form of Parkinson’s disease.

While many members of the Annona family are believed to have medicinal and cancer-fighting properties, caution should always be exercised when adding any herbal remedies to your diet. Consult your doctor before consuming graviola in any form.

When growing graviola indoors, keep out of reach of children and pets.