How To Grow A Cherimoya Tree From Seeds

The cherimoya tree (Annona cherimola) is a fruit-producing tree native to Colombia, Ecuador and Bolivia, according to Purdue University. In the United States, the trees can only be grown outdoors in California, Hawaii and Florida or anywhere within U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10. In other locations the cherimoya can be grown indoors in a pot. The tree grows well from seeds, although the fruit from seed-grown trees may not be as large or abundant as with other propagation methods.

Step 1

Fill half of a large bowl with water and place cherimoya seeds into it. Press the seeds down until they are all wet. Set the bowl aside and let it rest for four days.

Step 2

Look at the bowl of water and scoop out any floating cherimoya seeds with your hand. Discard these seeds since they are not viable. Scoop out the remaining seeds on the bottom of the bowl and set them on a paper towel before discarding the water.

Step 3

Fill 5- to 6-inch-deep plant pots with a mixture of one part peat and one part course sand. Mix the two well, until they are combined. Each pot should be at least three-fourths full with the soil mixture.

Step 4

Place one cherimoya seed into the center of each pot and cover them with 1 inch of the soil mixture. Add water to each pot to settle the soil around the seed.

Step 5

Set the pots in an indoor location that maintains a temperature of between 64.5 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Water the pots as needed to keep the soil from drying out. The cherimoya seeds will germinate in approximately three to five weeks.

Step 6

Transplant the seedlings into 18-inch-deep pots filled with potting soil once they reach 3 inches in height. Grow them under bright, sheltered conditions until they are ready for transplant into a permanent outdoor growing location.