Overview

Introduce a touch of tropical paradise and a source of healthy, fresh fruit to your home with the Barbados Cherry Tree live plant. Also widely known as Acerola Cherry plant, this beautiful and productive specimen arrives ready to plant, standing between 12-18 inches tall. Perfect for gardeners looking to grow their own nutrient-dense fruits, this plant is renowned for its high vitamin C content and delicious, tart-sweet cherries. Whether you’re an experienced green thumb or just starting your gardening journey, the Barbados Cherry Tree live plant offers a rewarding growing experience with its relatively easy care and abundant yield. This dwarf variety is particularly suited for various settings, from spacious gardens to more confined patio spaces, bringing both beauty and utility to your environment.

The Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata) is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree that thrives in warm climates. Its attractive foliage and continuous fruit production make it a popular choice for edible landscapes. Enjoy the satisfaction of harvesting your own fresh, bright red cherries directly from your garden, perfect for snacking, juicing, or making preserves. This live plant is a fantastic addition for anyone seeking a productive and ornamental fruit-bearing tree.

Key Benefits

Adding a Barbados Cherry Tree live plant to your collection offers numerous advantages, from its aesthetic appeal to its health benefits and ease of cultivation. Discover why this tropical gem is a favorite among plant enthusiasts:

• Abundant Fruit Production: Enjoy a continuous supply of delicious, vitamin C-rich cherries. The Acerola Cherry plant is known for producing fruit year-round in ideal conditions, offering a consistent harvest.
• High Nutritional Value: Barbados cherries are one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C, far surpassing oranges. Incorporate these healthy fruits into your diet for an immune boost.
• Compact & Versatile Growth: As a Dwarf Barbados Cherry variety, it is ideal for smaller spaces such as patios, balconies, or even indoor settings where space is limited. It can be easily maintained as a shrub or a small tree.
• Attractive Ornamental Plant: Beyond its fruit, the Barbados Cherry features lush green foliage and delicate pink flowers, enhancing the beauty of any garden or container display throughout the year.
• Easy to Grow: This resilient fruit bearing plant is relatively low-maintenance, making it suitable for both novice and experienced gardeners. It adapts well to various soil types and is drought-tolerant once established.
• Pollinator Friendly: The small, delicate flowers attract bees and other pollinators, contributing to a healthy garden ecosystem and ensuring good fruit set.
• Adaptable to Warm Climates: Thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, making it a perfect choice for warmer regions.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Barbados Cherry Tree live plant is straightforward, ensuring a healthy, productive specimen for years to come. Understanding its basic needs will help you maximize fruit production and maintain its vibrant appearance. This fruit bearing plant is quite forgiving, but providing optimal conditions will yield the best results.

Sunlight Requirements: The Barbados Cherry thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the most fruit. While it can tolerate partial shade, fruit production will be reduced. If growing indoors, place it near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights to ensure it receives adequate light. A bright, sunny location is key for a flourishing Acerola Cherry plant.

Watering Schedule & Soil Moisture: This plant prefers consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Reduce watering during cooler months or if the plant is dormant. Good drainage is crucial to prevent root rot. Once established, the Dwarf Barbados Cherry is relatively drought-tolerant, but regular watering will promote better growth and fruiting.

Soil Type & Drainage: The Barbados Cherry is adaptable to a range of soil types but performs best in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.0). A good quality potting mix with added perlite or sand is ideal for container growing. For in-ground planting, amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.

Temperature Range & USDA Hardiness Zone: This tropical plant is sensitive to cold and thrives in warm temperatures. It is hardy in USDA zones 9-11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In colder zones, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C). Protect from frost, as young plants are particularly vulnerable.

Fertilization Schedule & Type: Fertilize your Barbados Cherry Tree live plant every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring through fall) with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a fertilizer formulated for fruit trees. Reduce fertilization during winter. Organic options like compost or fish emulsion can also be beneficial. Follow package instructions for application rates.

Pruning: Prune to maintain desired size and shape, encourage bushier growth, and improve air circulation. Pruning can be done after a fruiting cycle or in late winter/early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Regular pruning can also help manage the size of your tropical fruit tree, especially if grown in a container.

Size & Details

This offering is for one Barbados Cherry Tree live plant, which typically arrives at a height of 12-18 inches tall, measured from the soil line. The plant is grown in a 6-inch nursery pot, providing a well-established root system for successful transplanting. Please note that for shipping purposes, the plant will be carefully removed from its pot and shipped bare-root or with minimal soil around the root ball to reduce weight and ensure safe transit. Upon arrival, prompt planting is recommended. This dwarf variety has a moderate growth rate and can reach a mature height of 6-10 feet if planted in the ground, though it can be kept smaller with regular pruning, making it an excellent Dwarf Barbados Cherry option. Expect your plant to begin producing fruit within 1-2 years under optimal growing conditions, offering a continuous harvest throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Barbados Cherry Tree live plant get? A: This particular plant will arrive 12-18 inches tall. When mature, if planted in the ground, it can reach 6-10 feet, but it can be maintained at a smaller size with regular pruning, especially when grown in a container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Barbados Cherry Tree live plant thrives outdoors in USDA zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during winter months to protect it from frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does the Acerola Cherry plant need? A: For optimal growth and fruit production, your plant needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Full sun exposure is highly recommended.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Barbados Cherry is considered a relatively easy-care plant. It’s quite resilient and forgiving, making it a good choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners looking for a fruit bearing plant.
• Q: What condition will the plant arrive in? A: Your Barbados Cherry Tree live plant will be carefully packaged and shipped without its pot to ensure its safety during transit. It will arrive with its root system protected, ready for immediate planting upon arrival.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a Dwarf Barbados Cherry? A: The best time to plant is in spring or early summer after the last chance of frost, allowing the plant to establish itself in warm weather. If you are in a frost-free zone, it can be planted any time of year.
• Q: Can I grow this tropical fruit tree in a pot? A: Absolutely! The Barbados Cherry is an excellent candidate for container growing, especially the dwarf varieties. Ensure the pot has good drainage and is large enough to accommodate its root system as it grows.
• Q: How long until this plant starts producing fruit? A: Under good growing conditions, your fruit bearing plant can start producing cherries within 1-2 years of planting. Once established, it can produce fruit continuously throughout the year in warm climates.
• Q: What kind of soil does this plant prefer? A: It prefers well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. A good quality potting mix with perlite is suitable for containers, and garden soil should be amended for good drainage.
• Q: Is the fruit from the Barbados Cherry Tree live plant edible? A: Yes, the cherries produced by this plant are highly edible and prized for their tart flavor and exceptionally high vitamin C content. They can be eaten fresh or used in juices, jams, and desserts.