Soursop (Annona muricata) | seeds, 5 pcs.

• Latin name: Annona muricata
• Danish names: Graviola, soursop
• English names: Soursop, graviola, guanabana

Annona muricata is a tropical fruit species from Central and South America, where it is cultivated for its large, green, prickly fruits with soft, aromatic pulp. The species is one of the best-known in the Annona genus and is closely related to, among others, Annona squamosa, Annona cherimola, Annona purpurea, and the very rare Annona crassiflora.

The plant grows as a small tropical tree with glossy, dark green leaves and a broad, lush growth habit. The fruits can become very large and are known for their complex flavor, often described as a blend of pineapple, strawberry, citrus, and banana.

If you are interested in tropical fruit trees from this exciting plant genus, you can also explore the rest of our category with Annona species.

Cultivation and requirements

Annona muricata thrives best in full sun to light shade and prefers:

• nutrient-rich and well-drained soil
• even moisture during the growing season
• warm and stable temperatures

A well-drained tropical potting soil with high organic content is ideal. During the growing season, you can supplement with a mild, organic fertilizer to support healthy growth and leaf development.

The species is not frost-tolerant and in Denmark is best grown as a container plant that can be kept outdoors during the summer and overwintered in a bright, frost-free location. The temperature should preferably be kept above 15 °C.

The plant grows relatively quickly under warm and humid conditions and thrives best with high air humidity.

Cultivation from seeds

Seeds of Annona muricata germinate best under warm conditions. For best results, we recommend:

• soaking in lukewarm water for 24 hours
• sowing in a well-drained soil mix
• a temperature of 22–28 °C
• keeping the soil evenly moist, but not wet

Germination typically occurs within 6–18 weeks, but can take longer. The young plants grow rapidly under good conditions and develop large, tropical leaves early on.

Utility and collector value

Annona muricata is cultivated as a fruit, ornamental, and collector plant. The fruits are popular in tropical regions and are used for juices, smoothies, desserts, and ice cream, among other things.

For plant enthusiasts, the species is particularly interesting due to its vigorous tropical growth and very characteristic fruits.

Annona muricata is an obvious choice for the plant enthusiast who wants to grow an exotic tropical fruit tree from seed – a classic annona with great collector value and impressive fruits.