Atemoya (Annona atemoya)
Care, watering, light and tips for Atemoya on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Annonaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Atemoya
Annona atemoya, or atemoya, is a delicious and fast-growing tropical fruit hybrid, resulting from a cross between cherimoya and sugar-apple. Its fruits are large, with scaly greenish skin and a creamy, sweet white pulp with an exotic flavor. It's a small to medium-sized tree, ideal for gardens in warm climates or as a fruiting specimen in patios and large containers.
Native range
Tropical Andes of South America (hybrid of Annona cherimola and Annona squamosa)
Care tips
It requires full sun for good fruit production and protection from frost, as it does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. Watering should be regular and abundant during the growing and fruiting season, reducing it in winter. It prefers well-drained soils, rich in organic matter, and with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A common mistake is the lack of hand pollination in the absence of natural pollinators, which can result in low fruit production.
How to save a dying Atemoya
- Warning signs
- Wilting, yellowing, or brown-tipped leaves; premature fruit drop; slow or no growth.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture (avoid waterlogging and extreme dryness). Protect from cold and wind. Ensure good indirect light.
- What kills it
- Over or under-watering; low temperatures (<10°C); poor drainage; exposure to strong winds.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't rotted and main stem is still green. Act quickly.