Barbados Cherry Live Plant – 2-3 ft Tall – Edible Fruit – Attracts Pollinators – Outdoor

Overview

Cultivate your own source of delicious, vitamin-rich fruit with a Barbados Cherry live plant. Also known as Malpighia emarginata, this fast-growing tropical shrub is celebrated for its vibrant red, tangy cherries and lush green foliage. It’s an ideal choice for gardeners looking to combine ornamental beauty with practical fruit production. Originating from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, the Barbados Cherry is a hardy and adaptable plant that flourishes in warm climates, making it a fantastic addition to various outdoor settings. This particular offering provides a healthy starter plant, typically 2-3 feet tall, ready to be established in your garden or a large patio container. Its rapid growth habit means you won’t have to wait long to enjoy its bounty, and its attractive flowers add an extra layer of charm, inviting beneficial insects to your outdoor space. The Barbados Cherry live plant is a rewarding choice for both seasoned gardeners and enthusiastic beginners.

Key Benefits

The Barbados Cherry live plant offers a multitude of advantages, making it a highly desirable addition to any garden or edible landscape. Its unique combination of beauty and utility ensures it stands out among other fruiting plants.

• Nutrient-Rich Edible Fruit: Enjoy a continuous supply of bright red cherries, renowned for being one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C. These tangy fruits are perfect for fresh eating, juices, jams, and desserts, offering both flavor and significant health benefits.
• Attracts Pollinators: The delicate pink to white flowers of the Barbados Cherry are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This not only enhances the biodiversity of your garden but also ensures better fruit set and overall ecological health. A true pollinator attracting plant!
• Ornamental Appeal: With its glossy green leaves, attractive flowers, and colorful fruits, the plant provides year-round visual interest. It can be grown as a shrub, a small tree, or even a hedge, adding tropical flair to any outdoor space.
• Fast-Growing and Productive: This shrub is known for its vigorous growth, allowing you to enjoy harvests relatively quickly compared to many other fruit trees. With proper care, it can produce fruit multiple times a year in favorable conditions.
• Versatile Growing Options: Suitable for in-ground planting in warmer climates (USDA zones 9-11) or for container growing in cooler regions, allowing you to bring it indoors during winter. This flexibility makes it accessible to a wider range of gardeners.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Barbados Cherry is quite resilient and drought-tolerant, requiring less intensive care than many other fruiting plants. Its hardiness contributes to its appeal as a reliable garden staple.
• Enhances Edible Landscapes: Integrate this plant into your edible landscape designs for both beauty and bounty. It’s an excellent choice for fruit gardens, food forests, and permaculture systems, contributing to a sustainable and productive environment.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Barbados Cherry live plant is straightforward, especially if you provide the right conditions from the start. This tropical shrub thrives in warmth and sunshine, making it a fantastic choice for many climates. When it comes to light, the Barbados Cherry requires full sun exposure, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch, but generally, more sun leads to more fruit production. For soil, ensure it is well-drained. Sandy or loamy soils are ideal, and the plant can tolerate a range of pH levels, though slightly acidic to neutral is preferred. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, as this can lead to root rot. If planting in a container, use a high-quality potting mix that drains well.

Watering is crucial, especially during the establishment phase. Water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Once mature, the tropical fruit shrub becomes quite drought-tolerant, but consistent watering during fruiting periods will encourage a more bountiful harvest. Fertilize your Barbados Cherry during the growing season (spring through summer) with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or an organic fruit tree fertilizer. Reduce fertilization in fall and winter. Pruning is essential for shaping the plant, promoting air circulation, and encouraging fruit production. Prune to remove dead or diseased branches, and to maintain a desirable size and shape. The optimal time for pruning is usually after a fruiting cycle. For those seeking detailed Barbados Cherry care, remember that while the plant is hardy, protecting it from frost is vital if you live in a colder climate, either by bringing container plants indoors or covering in-ground plants.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy Barbados Cherry live plant, measuring approximately 2-3 feet in height upon arrival. These are starter plants, shipped bare-root with minimal soil to ensure safe transit and reduce shipping stress. Please note that they do not come with a pot, and should be planted as soon as they arrive. The plant is a fast-growing, upright shrub that can reach a mature height of 8-12 feet when planted in-ground, depending on growing conditions and pruning. In containers, its size can be managed through regular pruning. Expect your plant to begin producing its delicious, vitamin C-packed fruits within 1-2 years under optimal care. The growth rate is vigorous, quickly establishing itself in a suitable environment. This adaptable plant is perfect for those looking for a productive and attractive edible fruit plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will this plant get? A: This is a starter plant, 2-3 feet tall upon arrival. When mature and planted in-ground, a Barbados Cherry can grow 8-12 feet tall and wide, but its size can be managed with pruning, especially in containers.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Barbados Cherry is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun. In USDA zones 9-11, it can be grown in the ground year-round. In colder zones, it can be grown in a container and brought indoors during winter.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant requires full sun, meaning at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Barbados Cherry is considered low-maintenance once established. It’s quite hardy and drought-tolerant, making Barbados Cherry care relatively easy for gardeners of all experience levels.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy, shipped bare-root with minimal soil for protection. It will not include a pot, and should be planted promptly upon receipt.
• Q: How long until it produces fruit? A: With good care, your Barbados Cherry live plant can start producing fruit within 1-2 years of planting.
• Q: Can the fruits be eaten fresh? A: Absolutely! The bright red cherries are delicious eaten fresh, and are also excellent for making juices, jams, and other culinary delights. They are known for their high Vitamin C content.
• Q: Will it attract bees and butterflies to my garden? A: Yes, the flowers of the Barbados Cherry are very attractive to various pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, making it an excellent pollinator attracting plant.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for a Barbados Cherry? A: Well-draining soil is crucial. Sandy or loamy soil types are ideal. If planting in a container, use a good quality potting mix designed for drainage.
• Q: What are the USDA hardiness zones for this plant? A: The Barbados Cherry thrives outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it must be protected from frost.