Arkin Starfruit Plant Carambola 28"+ / 3 Gal
Arkin Starfruit Tree for Sale in Florida, 3 Gal
Arkin is the sweet, low-acid carambola most Florida growers plant. It's compact, productive, and often fruits more than once a year. This tree is 28"+ in a 3 gal pot, grown at our Miami nursery. In our alkaline soil, give it a micronutrient feed if new leaves go yellow.
Grown by Tony in Miami. Ships nationwide, with shipping calculated at checkout. Local pickup in Miami and delivery in Miami-Dade also available. Text Tony: 786-774-2125
From Tony, the grower: Grown by Tony himself at our Miami nursery. Every Arkin Starfruit we send is a tree I've looked after here in Miami.
Size: Listed at 28"+ in a 3 gallon pot. See our shipping policy for how trees are packed for shipping.
Bigger trees, fairer prices. We keep our prices fair so you get more tree for your money.
Care basics: Plant in full sun in well-draining soil, water deeply 2-3 times a week while it settles in, then let the top inch of soil dry between waterings. Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer during the warm months, and protect young trees from frost (cover or move inside if temperatures drop near freezing).
Makes a great gift: Sending it as a gift? Email your gift message to tony@giardinofresco.com after you order and we'll include a gift note with the tree.
Shipping: Ships nationwide, with shipping calculated at checkout. Local pickup in Miami and delivery in Miami-Dade also available.
Questions? Call or text Tony at 786-774-2125.
Arkin Starfruit Tree (Averrhoa carambola ‘Arkin’) — The Most Popular Productive Star Fruit Variety for Home Gardens and Tropical Orchards
Grow an Arkin starfruit tree and enjoy one of the most reliable, high-yielding carambola varieties available. The Arkin star fruit tree is the leading commercial sweet starfruit cultivar in Florida and the most widely planted productive starfruit variety outside Asia. Selected in Florida and named after horticulturist Morris Arkin, this Averrhoa carambola cultivar produces abundant crops of golden-yellow, star-shaped fruit with a crisp, juicy texture and balanced sweet-tart flavor.
Mature Arkin starfruit trees can yield 200–350 pounds of fruit per year under good conditions, with multiple harvests possible. Young trees often begin fruiting within a few years and can produce 10–40 pounds in the early years, increasing quickly as the tree matures. The fruit is medium to large, uniform, waxy-skinned, and turns from green to bright yellow-orange when ripe. Slice it crosswise and you get the classic five-pointed star that makes star fruit a favorite garnish, salad ingredient, and fresh snack. The flesh is fiber-free, crunchy when ripe, and has a refreshing tropical taste often compared to a mix of apple, pear, grape, and citrus with mild acidity. Allow fruit to ripen fully on the tree for best sweetness.
This productive starfruit variety is largely self-fertile and sets good crops even in solid plantings. It thrives in full sun, well-drained soil, and warm tropical or subtropical climates (best growth 68–95°F). Protect from strong wind, frost, salt, and waterlogged soil. Trees typically reach 15–25 feet if unpruned but respond well to pruning and can be kept smaller or grown in large containers. They are evergreen in warm locations and produce attractive pink-lavender flowers. Harvest peaks often occur in late summer/fall and winter, with some fruit available much of the year in ideal conditions.
Grow your own Arkin carambola tree for a continuous supply of homegrown star fruit rich in vitamin C. Use the fruit fresh, in juices, smoothies, fruit salads, desserts, or as an edible garnish. Note: people with kidney disease should consult a doctor before eating starfruit due to oxalic acid content.
A proven, productive tropical fruit tree that delivers heavy yields of beautiful, tasty star fruit. Perfect for warm-climate landscapes and anyone wanting a reliable star fruit tree.
Starfruit (carambola) growing guide
Arkin is the leading sweet carambola variety in Florida.
Plant facts at a glance
Botanical name: Averrhoa carambola
Listed size: 3 gallon (28 in.+ listed)
Mature size: Usually 15–25 ft and as wide. Easily pruned to 6–10 ft.
Sun: Full sun for best fruiting. Protect it from strong wind.
Water: Regular water. Keep it moist during flowering and fruiting. Doesn't tolerate flooding.
Cold hardiness / USDA zones: Zones 9b–11. Mature trees tolerate brief 27–29°F. Young trees are damaged near freezing.
Time to fruit: Grafted trees can fruit within 1–2 years of planting and often crop several times a year in South Florida.
Taste and uses: Crisp, juicy, sweet-tart fruit for fresh eating, salads, juices, garnishes, jams and drying. Arkin is a sweet Florida variety.
Container vs. in-ground: Grows well in a large pot. Move it in if frost is forecast.
Bigger tree, fairer price
Many online sellers charge $45–$90 for a starfruit tree, and the cheaper prices are often for 1-gallon plants. Our Arkin is a 3-gallon tree, 28 in.+, a well-rooted tree that's ready to plant, for a fair price.
Why Arkin?
Arkin was selected in Florida and is the main sweet carambola grown commercially in the state. Its fruit is crisp, juicy and sweet with a little tang, and it's a reliable producer in home yards.
Getting the best crops
Plant in the sunniest, most wind-sheltered spot you have.
In South Florida limestone soils, apply chelated iron and manganese to keep leaves green.
In south Florida, expect main crops in late summer to winter, often with more than one flush a year.
Care
Feed young trees every 60–90 days with a fertilizer containing minor elements. In alkaline soils, iron and manganese sprays help prevent yellowing.
Shelter from wind.
Pick when the fruit is mostly yellow.
Frequently asked questions
How long until a starfruit tree fruits?
Grafted trees often fruit in 1–2 years.
Can I grow starfruit in a pot?
Yes. Use a large, well-draining pot and protect it from frost.
Why are my starfruit leaves yellow?
Often iron or manganese deficiency in alkaline soil. Use chelated micronutrients.
How cold can starfruit tolerate?
Mature trees handle brief 27–29°F. Protect young trees.
Do you ship to my state?
Yes. Ships nationwide, with shipping calculated at checkout. Local pickup in Miami and delivery in Miami-Dade also available. Questions? Call or text Tony at 786-774-2125.
Growing information is based on University of Florida IFAS Extension guidance. Results vary with climate and care.
Complete growing guide: Arkin Starfruit Growing Guide: Care, Pests and Harvest in South Florida
