Star Fruit ‘Lara’ (Averrhoa Carambola)

The Lara variety of Carambola, or “Star Fruit” as they’re commonly called due to their crisp star-shaped fruit, is a fast-growing, heavy producing evergreen tropical fruit tree. The Florida hybrid ‘Lara’ Carambola is known for its rich yellow-orange color and snappy, sweet flavor. 

Carambola produces prolific and gorgeous, pink, purple, and white flowers. These flowers stem off of woody branches, and bear a lot of fruit in the summer and fall. Carambola will bloom throughout most of the year, but prominently throughout May and September/October.  The bright yellow to orange fruit is naturally waxy with a length and width that varies slightly by cultivar. The flavor is similar to a sweet-tart blend of green apple, pear, grape, and citrus. In Florida, harvest season is generally from June through February, with peaks in fruit production during August through September, and December through February. 

Star Fruit is easy to grow in a container and can thrive in a large pot. In the colder months they may lose their leaves, so they should be overwintered indoors if temperatures reach below freezing! Prune Carambola trees in late winter.