Lucuma (Lucuma bifera) 2L Pot

Lucuma bifera is an Andean fruit tree grown for its evergreen foliage and yellow-fleshed fruit.

Lucuma develops an upright, branching habit with leathery green leaves. Mature trees produce small greenish-white flowers followed by rounded or oval fruit with green skin that changes towards yellow-green or brown as it ripens.

The mature flesh is yellow to orange, sweet and relatively dry or starchy compared with many tropical fruits. Its flavour is commonly associated with sweet potato, maple, caramel or butterscotch.

Lucuma is particularly used in Peru for ice cream, desserts, milkshakes and baking.

In the UK, Lucuma is best grown in a greenhouse, conservatory or large container. It prefers subtropical rather than intensely tropical conditions but must be protected from frost.

Plant Details

Botanical name: Lucuma bifera
Synonym: Pouteria lucuma
Common names: Lucuma, Lúcuma, Lucmo
Plant family: Sapotaceae
Habit: Evergreen subtropical tree
Potential height: Approximately 2–4 metres in a large container, depending on pruning
Foliage: Leathery, oval to elongated green leaves
Flowers: Small greenish-white flowers
Fruit: Rounded or oval fruit with yellow-orange flesh
Position: Full sun or bright partial shade
Suitable for: Greenhouses, conservatories and large containers
Hardiness: Tender and not reliably frost hardy

Growing Advice

Grow your Lucuma in fertile, well-draining compost. Move the plant into progressively larger containers as it develops.

Keep the compost evenly moist during active growth, but do not leave the roots standing in water. Established plants may tolerate brief periods of dryness better than permanently wet compost.

Place the plant in a bright, sheltered position with good ventilation. Lucuma generally prefers moderate warmth and may struggle in excessively hot, humid greenhouse conditions.

Feed regularly during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Change to a high-potassium feed once flowering begins.

Overwinter in a bright, frost-free greenhouse or conservatory. Keeping young plants above approximately 7–10°C is recommended.

Growth may slow during winter. Reduce watering while ensuring that the root ball does not dry completely.

Fruiting in the UK

Lucuma requires maturity, a long growing season and suitable pollination before fruit can develop.

Seed-grown trees may take several years to flower. Fruit production is possible under greenhouse or conservatory conditions but cannot be guaranteed in the UK.

The size, texture and flavour of fruit from seed-grown plants will vary naturally.

What You Will Receive

You will receive one Lucuma plant growing in a 2-litre pot. Plants are typically dispatched at approximately 20–30 cm tall.

Plant height, branching and leaf size will vary naturally depending on the time of year and stage of growth.

Important Information

Seed-grown Lucuma plants are genetically variable and will not necessarily reproduce the exact characteristics of the parent fruit.

Only fully ripe fruit pulp should be considered for consumption. Unripe fruit and damaged plant tissue may release milky latex.

Do not eat the seeds, leaves or stems.