Soursop Tree

The Soursop Tree (Annona Muricata) is an eye-catching evergreen that brings tropical beauty and health benefits to your garden. With lush green leaves and bright yellow flowers, it grows moderately to 25-30 feet tall and thrives in USDA zones 9-11, or in pots on patios from zones 4-11. Known for its antioxidant-rich fruit with cancer-fighting properties, this low-maintenance tree prefers full sun and moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Add this exotic, health-boosting tree to your outdoor space and enjoy its unique charm and wellness benefits.

Planting Instructions (in the ground):
1) Dig your hole 3 times the width and slightly shallower than the root ball.
2) Loosen the soil, in and around the hole so the roots can easily breakthrough.
3) Use your fingers to separate the roots of your Soursop and gently position downward in the hole. The top of the root flare (where the roots end and the trunk begins) should be about an inch above the surrounding soil.
4) Hold the tree straight as you begin to backfill the site, tamping down the soil as you go.
5) Backfill the hole, apply water to settle the soil and remove any air pockets that may have formed.

Planting Instructions (potted): The Soursop is also good for container growth if you happen to be in a zone too cold to add it to your landscape.

1) When selecting a container for your Soursop, be sure it has plenty of holes in the bottom as drainage is essential. The pot size should be at least 2 times larger than the pot it initially came in.
2) Fill the container halfway with soil, gently remove the tree from its original pot and position into the new one.
3) Fill in around the tree with the potting soil but be sure not to cover the grafted area of the tree. Leave about an inch from the soil surface to the rim of the pot for easy watering.
4) Lightly pack down the soil as you fill and then give your tree a deep watering until it flows from the holes in the bottom of the pot.
5) Choose a location on the patio, back yard, front/side of the house providing it will receive full sun.
6) If bringing indoors for the winter, keep by a sunny window and water as needed. Also, avoid exposure to both drafts and heat from a window or vent.

Watering (in the ground): Be sure to give your tree a deep watering so that it can penetrate into the root system. After watering, allow the top 2-3 inches of the soil to dry out completely before watering again as Soursops do not like wet feet. Yellowing and droopy leaves are a common sign of overwatering while brown, dry leaves are a sign of under-watering. Mulching can help retain the soil moisture and also combat competing grasses/weeds.

Watering (potted): Stick your index finger into the soil down to about 2 inches. If there is moisture present, hold off on watering until it feels drier at that depth. When ready to water, stop once you see it escaping drainage holes at the base of the pot.

Pollination: The trees are self-fertile but can pollinate your indoor trees by hand. Simply take a small, fine-tipped paintbrush and stick it into the center of the bloom. Swirl it around and collect the pollen on the brush. Go to the next bloom and repeat the process until every bloom has been treated. The bloom will fall off naturally and the fruit will begin to form.

Fertilization: Feed your Soursop tree every 3 months with a 10-10-10 formula at a half pound per year for the first year. Increase to 1 pound the following year and 3 pounds for every year thereafter.

Pruning: Soursop trees don’t require much pruning once the initial shaping is attained. Only prune off dead branches or limbs once the harvesting is over.