Overview

Embark on a delightful gardening journey with the dwarf Barbados cherry tree, a remarkable live plant known for its rapid growth and abundant, flavorful fruit. This versatile tropical fruit plant is a fantastic addition to any garden or patio, offering both ornamental beauty and delicious, nutritious cherries. Originating from the Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America, the Barbados cherry (Malpighia emarginata or Malpighia glabra) is celebrated for its high vitamin C content and unique sweet-tart flavor. Whether you’re an experienced horticulturist or a beginner home gardener, this edible fruit bearing tree provides a rewarding experience, transforming your outdoor space into a productive orchard.

This particular specimen of dwarf Barbados cherry tree arrives as a vibrant, young plant, typically 4-8 inches tall, ready to establish itself in its new environment. Its compact size makes it suitable for container gardening, allowing even those with limited space to enjoy fresh, homegrown fruit. The Barbados cherry is a resilient and relatively low-maintenance plant, making it an excellent choice for those looking to add a productive and beautiful element to their landscape. Its ability to produce abundant fruit quickly ensures a satisfying harvest season after season, cementing its status as a truly exceptional fast growing fruit tree.

Key Benefits

The dwarf Barbados cherry tree offers a multitude of benefits, making it a highly desirable plant for any enthusiast. Its combination of aesthetic appeal, ease of care, and bountiful fruit production sets it apart.

• Abundant and Quick Fruit Production: This fast growing fruit tree is known for its high yield, producing cherries quickly after planting. You’ll enjoy fresh, sweet-tart fruit sooner than with many other fruit trees, perfect for immediate gratification and consistent harvests.
• Nutrient-Rich Edible Fruit: The Barbados cherry is packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and other beneficial nutrients. Enjoy its unique sweet and tart flavor fresh off the tree, or use it in juices, jams, and desserts for a healthy and delicious treat.
• Compact and Versatile Growth: As a dwarf variety, this dwarf Barbados cherry tree is ideal for smaller spaces, patios, or container gardening. Its manageable size makes it perfect for urban gardeners or those looking to add an edible fruit bearing tree without requiring extensive ground space.
• Beautiful Tropical Foliage: Beyond its fruit, the plant boasts attractive green foliage and delicate pink flowers, adding a touch of tropical elegance to your garden or patio. It’s a beautiful ornamental plant even when not in fruit.
• Easy to Maintain: Requiring minimal specialized care, this plant is suitable for gardeners of all experience levels. Its resilience and adaptability contribute to its reputation for being easy to grow and maintain, even with specific Barbados cherry plant care needs.
• Thrives in Warm Climates: Well-suited for USDA Zones 9-11, it’s an excellent choice for warmer regions, bringing a taste of the tropics to your home. It adapts well to various warm microclimates, making it a reliable tropical fruit plant.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Ensuring the health and productivity of your dwarf Barbados cherry tree involves understanding its specific needs for sunlight, water, soil, and temperature. This live plant thrives with proper attention, leading to a bountiful harvest of delicious cherries.

For optimal growth and fruit production, your dwarf Barbados cherry tree requires ample sunlight. It thrives in full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If grown indoors or in a container, place it in the brightest south-facing window possible or supplement with a grow light. Proper watering is crucial; keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings, especially during the fruiting season. Reduce watering frequency during cooler, dormant periods. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot, which is a common issue for many fruit trees.

The ideal soil for a dwarf Barbados cherry tree is well-draining, fertile, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0). A good quality potting mix with added perlite or sand works well for container planting. For in-ground planting, amend heavy clay soils with organic matter to improve drainage. This tropical fruit plant is sensitive to frost and thrives in warm temperatures, ideally between 60-90°F (15-32°C). If you live in a region with cold winters, it’s best to grow it in a container that can be moved indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C). Fertilize every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or one formulated for fruit trees to support its rapid growth and fruit development. Pay attention to Barbados cherry plant care details like pruning to maintain shape and encourage air circulation, and watch out for common pests like aphids, which can be managed with organic insecticidal soaps.

Size & Details

This offering is for one young dwarf Barbados cherry tree live plant. Each plant typically measures between 4-8 inches in height upon arrival, providing a healthy start for your new fruit-bearing addition. It is shipped without a pot, as a bare-root or minimal soil specimen, carefully packaged to ensure its safety during transit. This method helps the plant adapt quickly to its new growing medium and environment. Expect this fast growing fruit tree to establish roots and begin putting on new growth within a few weeks of planting, with the potential for its first fruit production within 1-2 years under optimal conditions.

The mature size of a dwarf Barbados cherry tree can vary depending on growing conditions and pruning, but typically, it reaches a height of 6-10 feet when grown in the ground and can be kept smaller in containers. Its natural growth habit is shrub-like, but it can be trained into a small tree. The plant’s vigorous growth rate means it will quickly fill out and begin producing its sweet and tart fruit. It’s a wonderful choice for those looking for an edible fruit bearing tree that matures relatively quickly and offers a continuous harvest throughout its growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this dwarf Barbados cherry tree get? A: This dwarf Barbados cherry tree typically grows to 6-10 feet tall when mature, but its size can be easily managed with pruning, especially when grown in a container. Its compact nature makes it suitable for various garden sizes.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? How much sunlight does it need? A: The dwarf Barbados cherry tree is a tropical plant that thrives outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it can be grown in a container and moved indoors during winter. It requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? Is it good for beginners? A: Yes, this tropical fruit plant is relatively easy to care for and is suitable for beginners. With basic attention to sunlight, watering, and soil, it’s quite resilient. Following good Barbados cherry plant care practices will ensure a healthy, productive tree.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? Is it shipped in soil? A: The plant will arrive as a live specimen, typically 4-8 inches tall. It is usually shipped without a pot, as a bare-root or with minimal soil, carefully packaged to protect it during transit. This method helps reduce shock and allows for easier planting upon arrival.
• Q: Can I use Barbados cherries in cooking? A: Absolutely! The cherries from your edible fruit bearing tree are delicious fresh, but also excellent for making juices, jams, jellies, pies, and sauces. Their unique sweet and tart flavor adds a wonderful dimension to many culinary creations.
• Q: How long until it starts producing fruit? A: This fast growing fruit tree can begin producing fruit relatively quickly, often within 1-2 years of planting, especially under ideal growing conditions and proper care. You can look forward to a rewarding harvest soon after establishing your plant.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature this plant can tolerate? A: The dwarf Barbados cherry tree is sensitive to cold. It can tolerate brief drops to around 40°F (4°C) but prefers temperatures above 50°F (10°C). It should be protected or brought indoors when temperatures consistently fall below this threshold.