Seed economics decide it
Starfruit seeds cost 400g at the Oasis and grow once in 13 days — every replant buys new seeds. Ancient Fruit costs a one-time investment (rare seed or Seed Maker) and then regrows every 7 days forever, including through seasons. Over a full year an ancient plant needs zero further seed spending; starfruit needs roughly 2.7 plants per season of new seed money.
Raw numbers per harvest
Starfruit sells for 750g base versus ancient fruit’s 550g, and starfruit matures faster. In a pure single-season sprint (spring year one has neither), starfruit wins. But processed through kegs, ancient fruit wine at 1,650g per bottle with zero seed cost overtakes starfruit wine on profit per day once the field has been planted for more than a season or two.
The verdict most min-maxers reach
Plant starfruit while your ancient fruit field matures, then convert everything to ancient fruit in kegs — the Seed Maker loop turns spare ancient fruit into more seeds and the crop self-perpetuates. Greenhouse and Ginger Island plantings of ancient fruit pay out all twelve months.
