Bring a touch of the tropics to your garden with Dovyalis caffra (Kei Apple) Seeds, a hardy and productive fruit shrub native to Southern Africa. Known for its bright golden-orange fruits and tangy, vitamin-rich flavor, Kei Apple is both ornamental and edible. Its dense, thorny branches make it excellent for natural fencing, while the fruit can be used for jams, jellies, and juices. Ideal for warm and semi-arid climates, Dovyalis caffra thrives with minimal maintenance and offers both beauty and nutrition.

Features

• Exotic Tropical Fruit: Produces tangy, golden-orange fruits with unique flavor.

• Highly Nutritious: Packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals.

• Multi-Purpose Plant: Great for edible landscapes, privacy hedges, and ornamental gardens.

• Drought Tolerant: Adapts well to dry and semi-arid conditions.

• Fast Growing: Establishes quickly with high germination success.

• Non-GMO Seeds: Sourced naturally for healthy plant growth.

Specifications

• Common Name: Kei Apple

• Scientific Name: Dovyalis caffra

• Family: Salicaceae

• Seed Type: Non-GMO Tropical Fruit Shrub Seeds

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11

• Growth Habit: Evergreen, dense, thorny shrub or small tree

• Mature Height: 6 – 20 feet (1.8 – 6 m)

• Sun Exposure: Full sun

• Soil Type: Sandy or loamy, well-drained soil

• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5

• Watering Needs: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established

• Temperature Range: 65 – 95°F (18 – 35°C)

• Germination Time: 3 – 6 weeks

• Planting Depth: 1/4 inch (0.6 cm)

• Planting Season: Spring or early summer

• Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer

• Fruit Time: Late summer to early fall

• Fruit Color: Golden-yellow to orange

• Fruit Size: 1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm)

• Pollination: Dioecious (requires both male and female plants for fruiting)

• Lifespan: Long-lived perennial shrub

• Uses: Fresh eating, preserves, hedging, ornamental planting, and wildlife habitat

Planting Guide

1. Soak seeds in warm water for 24 hours before planting.

2. Prepare pots or trays with sandy, well-drained soil mix.

3. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep and lightly cover with soil.

4. Keep soil consistently moist and warm until germination.

5. Once seedlings reach 4–6 inches tall, transplant outdoors in full sun.

6. Water regularly during establishment; reduce frequency as the plant matures.

7. Prune to maintain shape or form a living hedge.

8. Harvest fruits when they turn golden and slightly soft.