Sour Sop
Annona muricatafam. Annonaceae
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Pl. 7E6E — Annona muricata
Annona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricataAnnona muricata
IOverview
Overview
Sour Sop (Annona muricata) is a tropical tree native to Central and South America, thriving in regions like Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico Southeast, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. This fruit-bearing plant prefers full or partial sun with moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It grows up to 7 meters tall and is hardy in zones 10-12. Sour Sop is known for its edible fruits, making it a popular choice among gardeners for both ornamental and culinary purposes. One distinctive feature of this plant is the spiky, green outer covering of its fruit, which gives it a distinctive appearance.
Quick answers
What is Sour Sop?
Sour Sop (Annona muricata) is a tropical tree native to Central and South America, thriving in regions like Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico Southeast, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sour Sop thrives in full to partial sun and requires moist soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 10-12, making it suitable for tropical climates. For propagation, direct seeding indoors or using semi-ripe cuttings are effective methods. Regular watering is essential to keep the soil consistently moist. This plant can grow up to 7 meters tall and produces edible fruits.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
10-12
Mature size
7.0 m tall
- Propagation
- Direct seed indoors or use semi-ripe cuttings
For first-time growers
How to grow Sour Sop for the first time
7steps
Start with a simple sour sop tree in a sunny spot for your first gardening experience.
- 1
What you'll need
A sour sop seed or cutting, potting mix, and a container.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant seeds indoors year-round or in spring outdoors when temperatures are warm.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5, and ensure the container is at least 12 inches wide.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds indoors in small pots or plant cuttings directly into larger containers.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep soil moist but not soggy, and place the container in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun to partial shade, water regularly, and fertilize every few months with a balanced fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune lightly to shape the tree and remove dead branches; harvest fruits when they turn yellow-green.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:fruits
Edible uses: The sour sop fruit is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. It is often consumed fresh but can also be made into jams, jellies, or added to juices. The fruit's flesh is sweet yet tart, making it a popular ingredient in tropical dishes.
Other uses:Fire starterPest controlLumber
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
15 native · 15 introduced
Distribution
15 native · 15 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 15 native· 15 introduced
Asia4 regions
introduced (4)BangladeshChinaLaosMaldives
Americas15 regions
native (13)BelizeBoliviaColombiaCosta RicaEcuadorFrench GuianaGuatemalaGuyanaHondurasNicaraguaPeruSurinameVenezuela
introduced (2)HaitiJamaica
Africa2 regions
introduced (2)CameroonComoros
Broader regions
native:Mexico Southeast, Panamá
introduced:Cook Is., Christmas I., Brazil Southeast, Hainan, Leeward Is., Marianas, Gulf of Guinea Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
7 related
See also
7 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Annonaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Annonaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
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Companion planting
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Growing zone
XII
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