Mammey is native to Central America and prefers the hot, humid lowlands. It is both salt and wind tolerant and can be grown up to 4,000 feet in elevation. Young trees, however, are sensitive to cold and can succumb with prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing. Good drainage is essential, as standing water will damage the roots severely.

The tree is medium-sized (30 feet) and spreading. The fruits are brown with a rough skin and are grapefruit-sized. Inside, the flesh is salmon-colored and can be either crisp-textured or softer like a sweet potato. The taste varies widely in seedling trees with the best-flavored like apricots. The trees can take up to eight years to begin fruiting and can live up to a hundred years.

Give them balanced fertilizer regularly and the trees will give fruit in the Fall and Winter for many years to come.