A plant of the lowland tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It can also be grown in subtropical and temperate areas so long as there is a growing season of 4 months or more. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 27°c, but can tolerate 10 - 38°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 300 - 3,000mm. Yields can be reduced in areas of heavy rain. Prefers a position in full sun. Plants succeed in poor soils, but fruit best in soils of moderate fertility. Plants are most productive when grown in well-drained soils with a high content of organic matter. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.3 - 8.3. Plants can produce their first crop of immature fruits within 2 months from seed. Mature fruits take 3 - 4 months to ripen. Yields of up to 30 - 40 tonnes per hectare, or 20 - 25 fruits per plant, have been recorded. Hand pollination of female flowers in the morning can increase yields. There are some named varieties.