Overview

Cultivate your own exotic fruit with our premium black surinam cherry live plant. This robust 5-gallon specimen, standing approximately 4 feet tall, is ready to thrive in your garden or a large container. Known scientifically as Eugenia uniflora, the Surinam Cherry is a versatile and attractive tropical shrub or small tree, prized for its unique, ribbed, and intensely flavorful fruits. The ‘Black’ variety specifically offers a darker, sweeter fruit compared to its brighter red counterparts, making it a highly sought-after addition for fruit enthusiasts and gardeners alike. Originating from South America, this plant is not only a source of delicious edibles but also an ornamental delight with its glossy green leaves and delicate white flowers.

Growing a black surinam cherry live plant offers the rewarding experience of harvesting fresh, vitamin-rich berries right from your backyard. These plants are relatively easy to care for once established and can adapt to various growing conditions, provided they receive adequate warmth and sunlight. Whether you’re looking to expand your edible landscape or simply add a touch of the tropics, this mature plant provides a significant head start towards a bountiful harvest. Its striking appearance and delectable fruit make it a conversation starter and a valuable asset to any home garden.

Key Benefits

Adding a black surinam cherry live plant to your garden offers a multitude of advantages, from its aesthetic appeal to its health benefits and ease of cultivation. Here are some of the key reasons why this tropical fruit tree is an excellent choice:

• Delicious, Nutritious Fruit: Enjoy a continuous supply of sweet, tangy, and slightly resinous black cherries. These fruits are packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and other essential nutrients, perfect for fresh eating, jams, jellies, and desserts. The distinct flavor of black surinam cherry fruit sets it apart.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the Surinam Cherry boasts attractive features. Its glossy, dark green leaves, reddish new growth, and fragrant white flowers add year-round beauty to your landscape. It can be pruned into a hedge, shrub, or small tree.
• Adaptable and Resilient: This plant is known for its hardiness and ability to adapt to a range of soil types and environmental conditions, making it a relatively low-maintenance option for gardeners. It tolerates light frosts once mature.
• Fast Growing and Productive: Once established, the black surinam cherry live plant grows quickly and can produce fruit within a few years, often yielding multiple crops per year in warm climates.
• Wildlife Attractor: The flowers attract pollinators like bees, and the fruits are a favorite of various bird species, bringing life and activity to your garden.
• Privacy and Hedging: Due to its dense foliage and ability to be pruned, it makes an excellent choice for creating natural privacy screens or hedges in your garden.
• Container Friendly: While it can grow into a sizable tree, the Surinam Cherry also performs well in large pots, making it suitable for patios and smaller spaces, especially in colder regions where it can be moved indoors.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your black surinam cherry live plant is straightforward, ensuring a healthy and productive tree. For optimal growth and fruit production, understanding its specific needs for light, water, soil, and nutrients is crucial. This tropical fruit tree generally thrives in warm, humid environments but can tolerate some cooler temperatures once established.

Sunlight and Location: The black surinam cherry live plant prefers full sun to partial shade. For the best fruit production, aim for at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can prevent leaf scorch. If growing indoors or in a container, place it in the brightest spot available, ideally near a south-facing window, or supplement with grow lights. Ensure good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.

Watering and Soil: This plant thrives in well-draining soil. While it can tolerate various soil types, a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. Amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. Water regularly, especially during dry periods and when the plant is actively fruiting. The soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering slightly during cooler months. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure excellent drainage. Understanding surinam cherry tree care for watering is key.

Temperature and Fertilization: The Surinam Cherry is a tropical plant, hardy in USDA zones 9-11. It can tolerate temperatures down to 28-30°F (-2 to -1°C) for short periods, but prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can cause damage. Protect young plants from frost. Fertilize quarterly with a balanced fertilizer, especially during the growing season (spring through fall). A slow-release granular fertilizer or a liquid feed rich in micronutrients will support healthy growth and abundant fruiting. Pruning can be done after fruiting to maintain shape and encourage new growth.

Size & Details

This offering is for one black surinam cherry live plant, shipped in a 5-gallon nursery pot. The plant is approximately 4 feet tall from the base of the pot, providing a substantial specimen ready for planting. Surinam Cherries are fast-growing plants, typically reaching heights of 6-10 feet in cultivation, though they can grow larger if left unpruned. They can also be maintained as smaller shrubs or hedges with regular trimming. The plant arrives well-rooted and established, ready to be transplanted into your garden or a larger container. Expect fruit production within 1-2 years under ideal conditions, with multiple fruiting cycles per year in warm, frost-free environments. This mature plant offers a significant head start compared to smaller plants or seeds, allowing you to enjoy the unique flavor of black surinam cherry fruit sooner.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This black surinam cherry live plant is approximately 4 feet tall upon arrival in its 5-gallon pot. In the ground, it can grow up to 6-10 feet tall as a shrub or small tree, but its size can be controlled with regular pruning, making it adaptable for various garden spaces or large containers.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: Your black surinam cherry live plant will arrive in a sturdy 5-gallon nursery pot, ensuring it has a strong root system and is well-established for transplanting.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Surinam Cherry is primarily an outdoor plant in USDA zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown in a large container and brought indoors during winter, making it a versatile tropical fruit tree.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For best fruit production, your black surinam cherry live plant requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate partial shade, but fruiting may be reduced.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Surinam Cherry is generally considered easy to care for, especially once established. It’s quite resilient and adaptable, making surinam cherry tree care suitable for both experienced and novice gardeners.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and well-packaged, carefully prepared to withstand transit. We take utmost care to ensure the plant reaches you in excellent condition, ready for planting.
• Q: Can I use surinam cherry in cooking? A: Absolutely! The black surinam cherry fruit is delicious fresh and can also be used to make jams, jellies, pies, and sauces. Its unique flavor adds a tropical twist to various culinary creations.
• Q: How long until it blooms and fruits? A: Since this is a 5-gallon, 4-foot tall plant, it is quite mature. Under optimal conditions, you can expect it to bloom and fruit within 1-2 years, often producing multiple crops annually in warm climates.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: The Surinam Cherry is hardy in USDA zones 9-11. If you are in a colder zone, you will need to protect the plant from frost or grow it in a container that can be moved indoors during winter months.
• Q: What type of soil does it prefer? A: This plant thrives in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Amending with organic matter can improve drainage and fertility for your eugenia uniflora.