Carambola Star Fruit Tree Live Plant, Grafted, 2-3 Feet Tall, in 6″ Pot

Overview

Cultivate your own exotic produce with this vibrant carambola star fruit tree. Also known as Averrhoa carambola, the carambola is a fascinating and highly productive small tree that promises to be a conversation starter in any garden or patio. This particular specimen is a grafted live plant, ensuring it will bear fruit sooner and more reliably than seed-grown varieties. Standing at an impressive 2 to 3 feet tall, it arrives ready to thrive, offering both ornamental beauty and delicious, refreshing fruit. The carambola tree is admired for its symmetrical growth habit and prolific fruiting, making it a rewarding addition for both experienced gardeners and those new to growing edible plants.

The fruit itself is instantly recognizable by its distinctive star shape when sliced, offering a juicy, sweet, and slightly tart flavor reminiscent of citrus. It’s not just a beautiful fruit; it’s incredibly versatile, enjoyed fresh, in salads, as elegant garnishes for drinks and desserts, or even juiced. Growing your own carambola star fruit tree means you’ll have a continuous supply of this delightful fruit, picked at peak ripeness for the best flavor and nutritional value.

Key Benefits

Adding a carambola star fruit tree to your collection offers numerous advantages, from its aesthetic appeal to its culinary contributions:

• Prolific Fruiting: This grafted plant is known for its ability to produce a generous amount of fruit, often yielding multiple harvests throughout the year in ideal conditions. You’ll enjoy a steady supply of fresh star fruit.
• Exotic & Delicious Fruit: The unique star-shaped fruit boasts a sweet, slightly tangy flavor that is both delicious and incredibly refreshing. It’s a versatile fruit perfect for a variety of culinary uses.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the carambola star fruit tree is an attractive plant with a symmetrical form and lush green foliage, making it a beautiful focal point in any garden, patio, or even as a large container plant.
• Grafted for Early Production: Being grafted, this plant will mature and begin producing fruit much faster than trees grown from seed, allowing you to enjoy your harvest sooner.
• Rich in Nutrients: Star fruit is a good source of Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber, contributing to a healthy diet. Growing your own ensures organic, fresh produce.
• Versatile Culinary Uses: The fruit can be eaten fresh out of hand, added to fruit salads, used as a garnish for cocktails and desserts, or made into juices and jams.
• Conversation Starter: The distinctive appearance of the fruit and the tree itself will undoubtedly spark interest and admiration from guests and fellow plant enthusiasts.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your carambola star fruit tree involves understanding its tropical origins to provide the best environment for growth and fruiting. These trees thrive in warm, humid climates and require specific conditions to flourish. They prefer a location with full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or supplement with a grow light to ensure adequate light exposure.

Consistent watering is crucial for a healthy carambola star fruit tree. The soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings, especially during the fruiting season. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot. Fertilize regularly during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced fertilizer, or one slightly higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage flowering and fruiting. Reduce feeding in winter when growth slows. For optimal growth, consider specific carambola plant care guides to tailor your regimen.

The ideal temperature range for star fruit trees is between 68-95°F (20-35°C). They are not frost-tolerant and should be protected from temperatures below 30°F (-1°C). In cooler climates, they are best grown in containers that can be moved indoors during winter. Pruning should be done to maintain shape, remove dead or diseased branches, and encourage air circulation. A well-pruned tree will also be easier to harvest. Pay attention to signs of pests or diseases, and address them promptly with appropriate organic or chemical treatments. Following these star fruit growing tips will help ensure a bountiful harvest.

Size & Details

This carambola star fruit tree is a robust, grafted live plant, typically standing 2 to 3 feet tall from the base of the plant to the top of its foliage upon arrival. It is shipped in a 6-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy root system ready for transplanting into a larger container or directly into the ground in appropriate climates. Grafted trees generally begin to produce fruit within 1-2 years of planting, much quicker than trees grown from seed. The growth rate is moderate, and with proper care, it can reach a mature height of 15-20 feet in favorable outdoor conditions, though it can be kept smaller through regular pruning, especially when grown in containers. This allows for excellent control over its size, making it suitable for various garden spaces or as an impressive patio plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This carambola star fruit tree arrives 2 to 3 feet tall. With proper care, it can reach 15-20 feet tall outdoors, but can be maintained at a smaller, more manageable size through regular pruning when grown in containers.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The plant is shipped in a 6-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy start for its journey to your home. We recommend transplanting it into a larger pot or directly into the ground soon after arrival.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: Star fruit trees are tropical and thrive outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11. In cooler climates, they can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors as a container plant during winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: The carambola star fruit tree requires full sun, ideally 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, for optimal growth and fruit production. Some afternoon shade may be beneficial in extremely hot regions.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While it has specific requirements due to its tropical nature, with consistent watering, adequate sunlight, and proper fertilization, it is a rewarding plant to care for. It’s considered moderately easy for those familiar with fruit trees.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your carambola star fruit tree will arrive as a live, healthy, grafted plant, carefully packaged to ensure its safe transit. It will be in its nursery pot with soil.
• Q: Can I use star fruit in cooking? A: Absolutely! Star fruit is incredibly versatile. It’s delicious eaten fresh, added to salads, used as a garnish for drinks and desserts, or incorporated into juices and jams.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: As a grafted plant, this carambola star fruit tree typically begins to flower and produce fruit within 1-2 years of planting, much faster than seed-grown trees.
• Q: What’s the best soil for a star fruit tree? A: Star fruit trees prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5) that is rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix designed for fruit trees is ideal for container growing.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: If you are in USDA Zones 9-11, it can survive winter outdoors. In colder zones, it must be protected from frost or brought indoors when temperatures drop below 30°F (-1°C).