Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, mangosteen trees require a highly tropical, humid climate, and they cannot be grown commercially in the contiguous United States, although a few determined enthusiasts have coddled them to fruiting in the warmest parts of Florida.

Why mangosteen is forbidden?

Reason: The purple mangosteen, a coveted fruit in Thailand, was once banned in the U.S. because officials feared importing the fruit would introduce the Asian fruit fly into the U.S. The ban was lifted in 2007, but imported mangosteen must first be irradiated to rid it of the fruit flies.

Can I grow mangosteen in California?

Attempts have been made to cultivate it in the U.S. (in California, Hawaii and Florida), Honduras, Australia, tropical Africa, Jamaica, the West Indies and Puerto Rico with extremely limited results. The mangosteen tree is slow growing, upright in habitat, with a pyramid shaped crown.