Fruit from grafted trees is one of the fastest growing new exports from Florida. Cross sections of the fruit make attractive yellow stars, giving rise to its alternate name of star fruit. Carambola has a thin skin and crisp, juicy, non-fibrous flesh. It is produced mainly fall through winter and can be eaten fresh, juiced, canned or dried. Under good conditions, mature trees can yield 200-300 lbs. of fruit per year.
Flowers are small, pink and showy and attract a lot of bees.
But they will fruit when young and even in a container. Soil should be well drained and slightly acid. Irrigation during drought is beneficial. Temperatures of 29 F can kill young trees. Carambola will thrive in partial shade.