Surinam Cherry Live Plant Set – 2 Plants, 3-5″ Tall – Eugenia uniflora Tropical Fruit Tree

Overview

Cultivate your own tropical paradise with this set of two Surinam Cherry live plant starters. Known by its botanical name, Eugenia uniflora tree, the Surinam Cherry is a fast-growing, compact fruiting tree celebrated for its small, sweet-tart, bright red cherries. These versatile plants are ideal for home gardeners looking to add an exotic touch to their outdoor spaces, patios, or even indoor container gardens in cooler climates. Beyond its delicious fruit, the Surinam Cherry boasts attractive glossy green foliage, providing year-round beauty and a taste of the tropics. These starter plants are ready to be nurtured into thriving fruit-bearing trees, offering a rewarding gardening experience.

Key Benefits

Adding a Surinam Cherry live plant to your collection offers numerous advantages, from its aesthetic appeal to its delicious yield. These plants are not just beautiful; they are also productive and relatively easy to care for.

• Delicious Edible Fruit: Enjoy a continuous harvest of sweet-tart, bright red cherries that can be eaten fresh, made into jams, jellies, or sauces. This provides a unique and healthy addition to your diet directly from your garden.
• Compact and Versatile Growth: The compact nature of the Eugenia uniflora tree makes it suitable for various settings. It thrives in large containers on patios or can be planted directly in garden beds, fitting well into smaller yards.
• Year-Round Fruiting: In warm climates (USDA Zones 10-11), the Surinam Cherry can produce fruit almost year-round, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh cherries.
• Attractive Foliage: Beyond its fruit, the plant features glossy green leaves that add a vibrant, tropical aesthetic to any garden or outdoor space, making it a beautiful ornamental as well as a productive plant.
• Low Maintenance: This tropical fruit tree is known for being relatively easy to grow and maintain, making it an excellent choice for both experienced gardeners and those new to growing fruit-bearing plants.
• Pollinator-Friendly: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators to your garden, contributing to a healthier ecosystem and improving fruit set.
• Non-Toxic and Safe: The fruit is entirely edible and safe, making it a great option for families with children or pets who might be curious about garden produce.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your Surinam Cherry live plant thrives and produces abundant fruit, understanding its specific care requirements is crucial. These tropical plants appreciate consistent conditions that mimic their native environment.

Sunlight: For optimal fruit production and vigorous growth, the Surinam Cherry requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors or in a container, place it in the brightest available south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights. While it can tolerate partial shade, fruit yield may be reduced.

Watering: Maintain consistently moist soil, especially during warm weather and fruiting periods. However, avoid waterlogging, as this can lead to root rot. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly before watering again. Container-grown plants may need more frequent watering than those in the ground. Good drainage is paramount for a healthy Eugenia uniflora tree.

Soil: Plant your Surinam Cherry in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal. For container planting, use a high-quality potting mix designed for fruit trees or tropical plants, ensuring it drains readily.

Temperature & Hardiness: This tropical plant thrives in warm climates and is best suited for USDA Zones 10-11. It is sensitive to frost, so if you live in a cooler climate, it’s essential to protect the plant during winter. This can involve bringing container plants indoors or providing frost protection for in-ground plants. The ideal temperature range is between 65-85°F (18-29°C).

Fertilization: During the active growing season (spring through fall), provide a light feeding every 4-6 weeks with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or one formulated for fruit trees. Reduce feeding during winter months when growth slows. Over-fertilization can harm the plant, so always follow product instructions.

Pruning: Pruning is optional but can be beneficial to maintain the desired shape and size, encourage bushier growth, and promote more abundant fruiting. Light pruning can be done after a fruiting cycle or in early spring before new growth begins. Regular pruning also helps improve air circulation within the canopy.

Size & Details

This offering includes a set of two healthy Surinam Cherry live plant starter plants. Each plant typically measures approximately 3-5 inches tall upon arrival, making them easy to establish in your preferred growing location. These young plants are shipped bare root, carefully packaged to ensure their roots remain safe and moist during transit, ready for immediate planting. While these are starter plants, the Eugenia uniflora tree is known for its fast growth rate and will quickly develop into a compact, fruit-bearing shrub or small tree. With proper care, you can expect your plants to begin producing their sweet, red cherries within a few years, providing a continuous harvest in warm climates.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Surinam Cherry live plant is a compact fruiting tree. While it can reach 15-20 feet in its native habitat, it typically grows 6-10 feet tall in cultivation and can be kept smaller with pruning, making it suitable for containers or smaller garden spaces.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Surinam Cherry thrives outdoors in USDA Zones 10-11. In cooler climates, it can be grown outdoors during warm months and brought indoors as a container plant during winter, making it a versatile tropical cherry plant.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For best fruit production, the Eugenia uniflora tree requires full sun, meaning 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 considered low-maintenance and relatively easy to grow, especially in suitable climates. Consistent watering and adequate sunlight are key to its success. It’s a great choice if you want to grow Surinam Cherry with minimal fuss.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your Surinam Cherry live plant starters will arrive bare root, carefully packaged to protect the roots. They are ready to be planted in your garden or a pot upon arrival.
• Q: How long until it starts producing fruit? A: While these are starter plants, Surinam Cherries are fast growers. With optimal care, you can expect your plant to start producing its first fruits within 2-3 years after planting.
• Q: Can I grow Surinam Cherry in a pot? A: Absolutely! The compact nature of this edible fruit tree makes it an excellent choice for container gardening on patios, balconies, or indoors. Just ensure the pot is large enough to accommodate its growth and has good drainage.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this plant? A: The Surinam Cherry prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix for tropical plants or fruit trees works well for container growing.
• Q: Is the fruit edible? A: Yes, the small, bright red cherries are completely edible and known for their sweet-tart flavor. They are delicious fresh or can be used in various culinary applications.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: It thrives in warm, tropical climates (USDA Zones 10-11) and is not frost-tolerant. If you are in a colder zone, you must protect the plant from frost by bringing it indoors or providing adequate winter protection.