Purple Sugar Apple

The Purple Sugar Apple is a rare and beautiful variation of the more common green sugar apple (also known as sweetsop), cherished for its unique appearance and exquisite flavour. The fruit is typically the size of a apple, around 5-13 cm in diameter, and is covered in knobby, scale-like segments that give it a pinecone-like appearance. Its most striking feature is its deep burgundy to reddish-purple skin, which is often covered in a velvety, dusty-looking residue. Inside this colorful exterior lies a creamy white, pudding-like flesh that is soft, sweet, and aromatic . The flavor is a complex and delightful tropical mix, often described with notes of vanilla, custard, and berry, with some comparing it to a blend of pineapple and mango.

The Purple Sugar Apple is a tropical fruit tree that needs warm conditions to grow well in New Zealand. In most areas it should be grown in a greenhouse. During winter the plant will usually drop most or all of its leaves, which is normal. At this time keep the plant on the dry side and reduce watering, as it dislikes cold, wet, or waterlogged soil. Resume watering only when temperatures start rising in spring and new growth begins. Provide plenty of sunlight, warm temperatures, and well-draining soil to keep the plant healthy.

Our plants are seed grown, so may have some variability in the size and skin colour due to cross pollination. Sugar apples are very quick to flower compared to other fruit trees, often flowering on their 2nd or 3rd year. If your tree is still small and flowers, it’s best pull the fruit set off until the tree is larger and can bear fruit well. Current stock is 1 year old.