Botanical illustration of Starfruit (Carambola)
🎨 AI-generated botanical illustration

🌱 Starfruit (Carambola)

Averrhoa carambola
tropical_perennials evergreen tree
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
moderate to high
🗺️ Zones
[10,11]
🧪 Soil pH
5.5-7.0
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained, rich
📏 Spacing
15-20 ft
📐 Height
15-30 ft
⏱️ Maturity
2-3 years from graft

🤝 Companions (3)

🤝 Basil
Attracts pollinators; repels fruit flies
🤝 Lemongrass
Understory aromatic that deters fruit flies from starfruit
🤝 Papaya
Shared tropical conditions; papaya as interim crop

⚠️ Keep Apart (1)

⚠️ none — but ⚠️ fruit is toxic to people with kidney disease (caramboxin + oxalic acid)

📝 Growing Notes

The fruit that's a star — literally. Slice crosswise for perfect five-pointed stars. Heavy producer — a mature tree can produce 200+ pounds annually. Beautiful tree with pink flowers and compound leaves that fold at night.

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