Native & adapted
Black sapote
Diospyros nigraAlso known as Chocolate pudding fruit · Chocolate persimmon · Zapote negro
A persimmon relative whose ripe fruit has soft, dark brown flesh often compared to chocolate pudding. A handsome evergreen with glossy leaves.
Before you plant
These conditions determine whether it will thrive.
Fast-draining soil rich in compost. Phoenix soil is alkaline, so work in soil sulfur and organic matter and use chelated iron if new leaves turn yellow between the veins.
Sheltered, frost-protected spot with afternoon shade while young.
Right plant, right place
Will Black sapote grow at your Arizona property?
Grafted trees fruit in 2 to 3 years. A slow-to-moderate grower that stays manageable with pruning.
Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b.
Light
Sun exposure
Morning sun with afternoon shade from June through September, such as the east side of a house or under a taller nurse tree. Protect from frost on winter nights.
Water
Irrigation
Moderate. Deep water once or twice a week in summer.
Fruit set
Pollination
Most varieties are self-fertile.
Harvest
How to use it
Scoop the soft flesh and eat fresh, or blend into desserts and smoothies.
Planting & stewardship
How to help Black sapote thrive
- 1
Shade young trees in summer and cover them on frost nights.
- 2
Feed with iron and micronutrients if leaves yellow.
- 3
Pick fruit firm and ripen it indoors.
- 4
Prune lightly after harvest.