Overview

Discover the joy of growing your own Barbados Cherry live plant, also scientifically known as Malpighia emarginata or Acerola Cherry. This remarkable fruit tree is celebrated for its incredibly nutritious fruit, packed with an extraordinary amount of Vitamin C – often compared to the content of numerous oranges in just one cherry. Originating from the Caribbean and Central America, this plant is not only a powerhouse of health benefits but also a beautiful addition to any garden or landscape. As a fast-growing, bushy tree, the Barbados Cherry live plant can be easily trained into a standard tree form, pruned into an attractive hedge, or kept as a container plant in cooler climates. It thrives in warm environments and is a prolific producer of small, bright red, juicy cherries, making it a favorite among home gardeners and fruit enthusiasts alike. This listing is for a healthy, vibrant 1-foot tall plant, carefully shipped in a 6-inch nursery pot, ready to be transplanted and cherished in your home.

The versatility of the Acerola cherry tree makes it suitable for various growing conditions, whether you have a spacious garden or a cozy patio. Its lush green foliage provides a tropical feel, while the delicate pink flowers that precede the fruit add an ornamental touch. This plant is a fantastic choice for those seeking to incorporate edible landscaping into their outdoor spaces or even for those looking for a productive and attractive indoor plant with sufficient light. The cherries themselves are a culinary delight, offering a sweet to sub-acid flavor that is perfect for fresh consumption or for processing into a variety of delicious products. With proper care, your Malpighia emarginata plant will quickly establish itself and begin yielding its bounty.

Key Benefits

Bringing a Barbados Cherry live plant into your home or garden offers a multitude of advantages, from its health-boosting fruit to its aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect from this exceptional plant:

• Exceptional Nutritional Value: The primary draw of the Barbados Cherry live plant is its fruit’s incredibly high Vitamin C content. Just a few cherries can provide your daily recommended intake, supporting immune health and overall well-being.
• Delicious Edible Fruit: Enjoy sweet to sub-acid cherries that are perfect for eating fresh off the tree. Their unique flavor makes them a versatile ingredient for juices, smoothies, jellies, jams, and even desserts.
• Versatile Growth Habit: This plant can be grown as a compact shrub, trained into a small tree, or shaped as an attractive hedge, offering flexibility for various garden designs and spaces.
• Fast Growing and Productive: The Barbados Cherry is known for its rapid growth and ability to produce fruit quickly, often within a year or two of planting, providing a rewarding gardening experience.
• Ornamental Appeal: Beyond its fruit, the plant features attractive glossy green leaves and delicate pink flowers that add beauty to your landscape or indoor environment.
• Adaptable to Containers: For those in cooler climates or with limited space, the Acerola cherry tree adapts well to container growing, allowing you to move it indoors during colder months.
• Easy to Care For: While it enjoys warmth and sunlight, the Barbados Cherry is relatively low-maintenance once established, making it suitable for both experienced and novice gardeners looking for an edible cherry plant.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Barbados Cherry live plant is straightforward, and with the right conditions, it will thrive and produce abundant fruit. This tropical plant prefers warm climates and plenty of sunshine. For optimal growth and fruit production, aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors, place it near a bright, south-facing window or supplement with a grow light. The plant is somewhat drought-tolerant once established but performs best with consistent moisture. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, ensuring good drainage to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during cooler, dormant periods.

The ideal soil for your Malpighia emarginata plant is well-draining and rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is preferred. A good quality potting mix designed for fruit trees or general-purpose potting soil amended with compost or perlite will work well. Fertilize your plant every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or one formulated for fruiting plants. Reduce fertilization in fall and winter. Pruning can be done to maintain shape, size, and encourage bushier growth or to train it as a standard. Remove any dead or crossing branches to improve air circulation and light penetration. This Vitamin C fruit tree is generally hardy in USDA Zones 9-11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In colder zones, it must be brought indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C).

Size & Details

This offering is for a healthy Barbados Cherry live plant, which stands approximately 1 foot (12 inches) tall from the base of the pot to the top of the foliage. It is carefully grown and shipped in a sturdy 6-inch nursery pot, providing a well-established root system ready for transplanting. Upon arrival, the plant will have vibrant green leaves and a strong central stem, indicative of its vigorous growth potential. The Barbados Cherry is a fast-growing species, and with proper care, it can reach heights of 6-10 feet or more when grown in the ground, though it can be kept smaller through pruning or container cultivation. When grown in optimal conditions, this edible cherry plant can begin producing fruit within 1-2 years. The cherries are small, typically 0.5 to 1 inch in diameter, and ripen to a brilliant red color. Expect a continuous flush of flowers and fruit throughout the warm months, especially in tropical and subtropical climates. This robust specimen is an excellent starting point for cultivating your own source of delicious and nutritious fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: Your Barbados Cherry live plant ships at about 1 foot tall. When mature and planted in the ground, it can grow 6-10 feet tall, but it can be maintained at a smaller size through regular pruning or by growing it in a container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Barbados Cherry is a tropical plant suitable for outdoor growing in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors as a container plant when temperatures drop.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This Acerola cherry tree thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and fruit production. If growing indoors, provide the brightest possible light.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Malpighia emarginata plant is considered relatively easy to care for once established. It requires consistent watering, good drainage, and plenty of sunlight.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy, approximately 1 foot tall, and securely shipped in its 6-inch nursery pot. We take great care in packaging to ensure it reaches you in excellent condition.
• Q: How long until it blooms and produces fruit? A: With proper care, your Vitamin C fruit tree can begin to flower and set fruit within 1 to 2 years of planting. It often produces multiple flushes of fruit during the warm season.
• Q: What’s the best soil for a Barbados Cherry? A: A well-draining soil rich in organic matter is ideal. A good quality potting mix for fruit trees or a blend of garden soil with compost and perlite works well to ensure proper drainage.