What plant has this green spiky hanging fruit?

What's likely going on

The plant in the photo is a soursop tree (Annona muricata), also called graviola, guanabana, or lakshman phal in some regions.

You can tell by the:

• Green, oval fruit with soft flexible spines all over the skin.
• Smooth, simple leaves that are a clear, bright green and grow alternately along the twig.

The palm fronds in the background belong to a different plant; the woody branch carrying the fruit is the soursop.

Soursop is a common tropical fruit tree grown for its fragrant, white, custard‑like flesh.

What to do

1. Let the fruit mature on the tree
   Harvest when the fruit turns a lighter green, the spines are less sharp and more widely spaced, and it yields slightly when gently pressed.

2. Support heavy branches
   If the tree sets many fruits, thin a few out or use props so branches don’t snap under the weight.

3. Water regularly in dry weather
   Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, especially while fruits are developing.

4. Feed lightly
   A balanced organic fertilizer or compost around the root zone once or twice a year helps with flowering and fruiting.

5. Watch for pests
   Fruit borers and scale insects are common. Remove badly damaged fruit and, if needed, use organic controls like neem oil, applied in the evening.

How to prevent it

If you want a healthy, productive tree:

• Plant in full sun with good drainage.
• Mulch around the base to keep roots cool and moist.
• Prune lightly to keep the canopy open and manageable.

When to worry

• If many fruits blacken, rot, or drop early, check for borers or fungal disease and prune out affected parts.
• If leaves yellow badly or the canopy thins, assess watering and soil drainage; prolonged waterlogging can kill the tree.
• If the tree shows sudden dieback, consult a local horticulture expert, as root diseases may be involved.