There are from 800 to 2,000 seeds in each fruit. New plants spring up voluntarily from seeds clinging to discarded rinds in full sun on disturbed ground in northern South America. For planting, seeds extracted from the ripe fruits are placed in the shade for 2 days to ferment a little and break down the mucilage. In each bag, or each hole, one puts 4 to 5 seeds expecting the emergence of 1 or 2 sturdy seedlings. Germination time varies from 15 to 40 days.
Vegetative propagation is possible, in order to perpetuate a particular cultivar.
Air-layers and cuttings of mature wood have been rooted successfully. Flowering commences 2 to 3 months after transplanting. The plants usually begin fruiting in 6 to 7 months from seed and will continue fruiting for several months. The fresh fruit keeps well for 5 to 10 days at normal temperature. In Puerto Rico, a mealybug, Pseudococcus sp., infests the new growth but causes little harm.