Exotic & Subtropical Fruit Tree FAQs NZ

Flying Dragon Nursery in Kerikeri, Northland, grows a wide range of rare and subtropical fruit trees for New Zealand gardens, including cherimoya, casimiroa, dragonfruit, guava, jaboticaba, starfruit, mango and papaya, alongside its citrus and avocados. Plants are delivered NZ-wide.

Quick facts

  • Introduced or developed by Flying Dragon Nursery: Nova starfruit (exclusive), grafted black sapote (chocolate pudding fruit), Ruakaka avocado, and many citrus NZ firsts
  • Exclusive to Flying Dragon Nursery: Rincon, New Zealand's only true dwarf avocado
  • Our picks: Wookie cherimoya, Wiki Woo casimiroa, Mona Lisa banana

Frequently asked questions

What tropical and subtropical fruit can I grow in New Zealand?

Plenty, especially in warm northern and coastal gardens. Flying Dragon Nursery grows cherimoya, atemoya, casimiroa, dragonfruit, tropical guava, jaboticaba, starfruit, lychee, black sapote, papaya, pineapple and many more, each trialled for New Zealand conditions. Browse rare and exotic plants.

Which cherimoya (custard apple) is best for NZ?

Wookie, developed in Northland, is our pick: large fruit with sweet, creamy flesh, fewer seeds and prolific crops. Other New Zealand cherimoya varieties include Burton's Favourite, Perla, Rex and the early-fruiting Reretai. See cherimoya and casimiroa.

What is the best casimiroa (white sapote)?

Wiki Woo is regarded as one of the best casimiroa varieties in New Zealand, with very sweet, strong flavour. Jason and Mac's Golden are also excellent.

What is the difference between cherimoya and atemoya?

Atemoya is a hybrid of cherimoya and sugar apple. Flying Dragon Nursery grows the atemoya varieties African Pride and Pinks Mammoth.

How soon does dragonfruit fruit?

Dragonfruit grown from cuttings of mature, fruiting plants usually fruits in 1โ€“2 years, compared with 5โ€“7 years from seed. Choose red (Red, Windsor Red, Frankie's Red), white (Vietnamese Giant) or yellow (Palora, Aussie Gold). See dragonfruit.

Can you grow mango in New Zealand?

New Zealand is on the edge of the mango's range, but trees can fruit outdoors in the warmest frost-free spots, such as parts of Northland. Flying Dragon Nursery sells Kent and Kesar mango seedlings. Mango care tips.

Which fruit varieties has Flying Dragon Nursery introduced?

Flying Dragon Nursery developed and introduced the Nova starfruit, which is only available from the nursery, and introduced an NZ-developed grafted black sapote (chocolate pudding fruit). It also released the Ruakaka avocado, sells Rincon as an exclusive, and was first to bring many citrus varieties to New Zealand. Citrus FAQs.

Should I buy a grafted, marcotted or seedling plant?

Grafted and marcotted plants are clones of a proven tree, so they are true to type and usually fruit sooner. Seedlings can vary and often take longer. For example, the Red Hybrid jaboticaba often fruits in 3โ€“4 years, while traditional jaboticaba from seed can take more than 10.

Do I need two American pawpaw trees?

Yes. American pawpaw needs two trees for cross-pollination to set fruit.

Do you deliver exotic fruit trees NZ-wide?

Yes, throughout New Zealand. Cold-sensitive plants ordered in winter may be held and sent in spring so they arrive safely. Pickup from the nursery in Kerikeri is by appointment only.

More help: avocado tree FAQs ยท banana FAQs ยท papaya care ยท casimiroa care