Mexican White Sapote Plant Care

Mexican White Sapote (Casimiroa edulis) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Casimiroa genus. Mexican White Sapote is native to eastern Mexico and Central America south to Costa Rica. Mexican White Sapote is also known as White Sapote, Matasano.

Mexican White Sapote displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Mexican White Sapote produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mexican White Sapote every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mexican White Sapote thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Casimiroa edulis tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Mexican White Sapote prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Mexican White Sapote to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mexican White Sapote every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mexican White Sapote is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mexican White Sapote can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Mexican White Sapote while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Mexican White Sapote is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Mexican White Sapote can be propagated through seeds, air layering.

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Mexican White Sapote is susceptible to citrus leaf miner, citrus red mite, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Mexican White Sapote grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mexican White Sapote is native to eastern Mexico and Central America south to Costa Rica. In cooler regions, grow Mexican White Sapote as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.