Overview

Bring the exotic beauty and delicious bounty of the tropics directly to your home garden with this magnificent Barbados Cherry live plant. Standing at approximately 3ft tall, this vigorous fruit tree (scientifically known as Malpighia emarginata or Malpighia glabra) is a true gem for any plant enthusiast. Originating from the Caribbean, Central, and South America, the Barbados Cherry is celebrated not only for its ornamental value with charming red flowers but also for its exceptionally nutritious fruit. Often referred to as Acerola cherry tree, it’s a popular choice for those seeking to grow their own healthy, flavorful produce. This live plant is ready to establish itself in your outdoor space, promising years of lush foliage, beautiful blooms, and abundant harvests of its iconic red berries.

The Barbados Cherry live plant is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree that adapts well to various outdoor conditions, particularly in warmer climates. Its natural resilience and vibrant appearance make it a fantastic addition to edible landscapes, privacy hedges, or as a standalone specimen tree. With proper care, this plant will quickly become a highlight of your garden, offering both visual appeal and a continuous supply of fresh, delectable cherries.

Key Benefits

The Barbados Cherry live plant offers a multitude of advantages for both the gardener and the health-conscious consumer. Its robust nature and prolific fruiting make it a rewarding addition to any outdoor setting.

• Abundant, Nutritious Fruit: Experience the joy of harvesting your own sweet-tart, bright red cherry fruit tree. Barbados Cherries are renowned for being one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C, far surpassing oranges. Enjoy them fresh, in juices, jams, or desserts.
• Beautiful Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the plant boasts attractive, small pink-to-red flowers that bloom intermittently throughout the warmer months, adding a delightful splash of color and drawing pollinators to your garden.
• Fast Growth & Prolific Bearing: This tropical fruit tree is known for its relatively quick growth rate and its ability to start producing fruit at a young age, often within the first year or two of planting.
• Adaptable & Resilient: While preferring warm climates, the Barbados Cherry is quite adaptable to different soil types and can tolerate some drought once established, making it a relatively low-maintenance option for avid and novice gardeners alike.
• Supports Local Wildlife: The flowers attract bees and butterflies, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden. The fruits can also be a treat for birds, though it’s wise to net your tree if you want to maximize your harvest.
• Versatile Landscape Use: Its manageable size and attractive form allow it to be used in various ways – as a specimen plant, part of an edible hedge, or even grown in large containers on patios in cooler zones.
• Easy Care for Beginners: Despite its exotic nature, the Acerola cherry tree is surprisingly forgiving, making it an excellent choice for those new to growing fruit trees.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Barbados Cherry live plant is straightforward, ensuring a healthy, productive tree for years to come. This tropical fruit tree thrives in conditions that mimic its native habitat.

Sunlight: The Barbados Cherry requires ample sunlight to produce the best fruit. Plant in a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct full sun per day. While it can tolerate some partial shade, fruit production may be reduced. For indoor growing in cooler climates, ensure it’s placed near a south-facing window or under grow lights.

Watering: This plant prefers consistent moisture, especially during its establishment phase and fruiting periods. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. Ensure good drainage to prevent root rot. Once established, it shows some drought tolerance but will produce more fruit with regular watering. Reduce watering slightly during cooler, dormant periods.

Soil: The Acerola cherry tree adapts to a variety of soil types but prefers well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5-6.5). Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter like compost or pine bark will improve drainage and aeration. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix designed for fruit trees or general outdoor plants.

Temperature & Hardiness: The Barbados Cherry is a tropical plant and is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. It can tolerate brief drops in temperature but is not frost-hardy. In colder zones, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during winter or treated as an annual. Ideal temperatures are between 65-85°F (18-29°C).

Fertilization: Feed your Barbados Cherry live plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for fruit trees during the growing season (spring through fall). Follow the product instructions for application rates. A light application of micronutrients can also be beneficial, especially if leaves show signs of deficiency.

Pruning: Prune annually in late winter or early spring to shape the tree, remove any dead or diseased branches, and encourage new growth and fruiting. Light pruning can also be done after fruiting cycles to maintain desired size and form. This helps maintain a compact and productive red cherry fruit tree.

Size & Details

This offering is for one Barbados Cherry live plant, standing approximately 3ft (36 inches) tall from the base of the soil to the tip of the plant. The plant will arrive in a nursery pot, ensuring its health and readiness for planting upon arrival. While specific width can vary, a 3ft plant typically has a spread of 1-2 feet, depending on recent pruning and growth. This fast-growing tropical fruit tree can reach mature heights of 6-15 feet in ideal outdoor conditions if left unpruned, or it can be maintained as a smaller shrub or container plant. It typically begins fruiting within 1-2 years of planting, with peak production occurring as the tree matures. The cherries are small, bright red, and ripen quickly, often producing multiple flushes of fruit throughout the warm season.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Barbados Cherry live plant get? A: This particular plant is approximately 3ft tall upon arrival. With proper care, it can grow to a mature height of 6-15 feet as a tree or shrub. It can also be kept smaller with regular pruning or by growing it in a container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Barbados Cherry live plant is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors as a container plant for winter protection.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Acerola cherry tree need? A: For optimal growth and fruit production, this plant requires at least 6-8 hours of direct full sun per day. Less sunlight may result in reduced flowering and fruiting.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Barbados Cherry live plant is considered relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for both experienced gardeners and beginners. It requires consistent watering, good drainage, and ample sunlight.
• Q: What condition will the red cherry fruit tree arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive as a healthy, live specimen in a nursery pot, carefully packaged to ensure its safe transit. It will be ready for immediate planting or transplanting upon arrival.
• Q: How long until it blooms and produces fruit? A: Barbados Cherry plants are known for their fast growth. This 3ft tall plant may begin to flower and produce fruit within 1-2 years of planting, with more significant harvests as it matures.
• Q: Will this tropical fruit tree survive winter in my zone? A: It is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11. If you live in a colder zone, you will need to protect the plant from frost by bringing it indoors during winter or providing adequate winterization.