Dwarf Barbados Cherry Live Plant, Acerola Red Cherry Tree, 5-9” Tall Seedling, Fruit Tree

Overview

Bring the joy of home-grown fruit to your garden with the dwarf barbados cherry live plant. This vibrant seedling, also known as an acerola cherry tree (Malpighia emarginata), is a fantastic choice for both seasoned gardeners and beginners. Growing to a manageable height of 3-6 feet, this compact fruit tree is ideal for small spaces, urban gardens, or patio containers. Its ability to bear fruit within 1-2 years with proper care makes it a rewarding addition to any landscape. Originating from the Caribbean and Central America, the Barbados Cherry is celebrated not only for its delicious, tart fruit but also for its high Vitamin C content, making it a healthy and delightful choice for fresh consumption, jams, or juices. This live plant offers the unique opportunity to cultivate a tropical superfood right in your own backyard or sunroom, providing beauty and bounty.

Our dwarf barbados cherry live plant arrives as a healthy 5-9” tall seedling, ready to be planted and nurtured into a productive fruit-bearing tree. With its attractive foliage and bright red cherries, it adds an exotic touch to any setting. Whether you’re looking to enhance your garden with unique fruit trees for backyard spaces or seeking a productive plant for indoor cultivation, the Barbados Cherry is a versatile and valuable option. Discover the satisfaction of harvesting your own nutrient-rich fruit directly from your garden.

Key Benefits

The dwarf barbados cherry live plant offers a multitude of benefits, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of gardeners. From its nutritional value to its adaptability, this plant is a true garden gem. Cultivating your own brings both pleasure and health advantages.

• Rich in Vitamin C: Acerola cherries are renowned for their exceptionally high Vitamin C content, far surpassing that of oranges. Growing your own ensures a fresh and potent supply of this essential nutrient, boosting your immune system naturally.
• Compact Growth Habit: Designed for smaller spaces, this dwarf variety typically grows 3-6 feet tall. This makes it perfect for container gardening on patios, balconies, or as an attractive shrub in compact garden beds, allowing more people to enjoy fresh fruit.
• Early Fruit Production: With proper care, your acerola cherry tree can begin bearing fruit in as little as 1-2 years, providing a quick return on your gardening efforts. This rapid turnaround is highly satisfying for those eager to enjoy their harvest.
• Versatile Growing Options: Adaptable to USDA Zones 9-11 outdoors, this plant can also thrive indoors in colder climates, given adequate sunlight. This versatility means nearly anyone can successfully grow barbados cherry, regardless of their local weather conditions.
• Low Maintenance Once Established: After the initial establishment phase, the dwarf barbados cherry live plant requires minimal care and watering. This makes it an ideal choice for busy gardeners seeking a productive plant without constant attention.
• Attractive Ornamental Plant: Beyond its fruit, the Barbados Cherry boasts attractive green foliage and delicate flowers that precede the bright red cherries, adding year-round visual interest to your garden or indoor space.
• Promotes Healthy Eating: Having fresh, organic fruit readily available encourages healthier eating habits for you and your family. Enjoy the convenience and peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly where your food comes from.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To successfully nurture your dwarf barbados cherry live plant, understanding its specific care requirements is crucial. This resilient plant, when given the right conditions, will reward you with an abundance of delicious fruit. Following these guidelines will help ensure your acerola cherry tree thrives and produces bountiful harvests.

Sunlight Requirements

The Barbados Cherry plant thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce the best fruit. When grown outdoors, choose a location that receives ample morning sun and some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates to prevent leaf scorch. If growing indoors, place your plant near a south-facing window or use supplemental grow lights to ensure it gets sufficient light. Insufficient light can lead to sparse foliage and reduced fruit production, so prioritize a sunny spot for your dwarf barbados cherry live plant.

Watering and Soil

This plant prefers consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, and allow excess water to drain away. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage. Once established, the Barbados Cherry is somewhat drought-tolerant but will produce more fruit with regular watering. For soil, a well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral potting mix (pH 6.0-7.0) is ideal. A mix containing organic matter like compost will provide essential nutrients and improve soil structure. When you grow barbados cherry, good drainage is key, especially for container-grown plants.

Temperature and Hardiness

The Barbados Cherry is a tropical plant, hardy in USDA Zones 9-11. It prefers warm temperatures and is sensitive to frost. If you live in a colder zone, it’s best to grow it in a container that can be moved indoors during winter. Indoors, maintain temperatures above 50°F (10°C). Protect outdoor plants from cold snaps, even in warmer zones, by covering them or bringing them inside if possible. Proper temperature management is vital for the health and fruit-bearing capacity of your acerola cherry tree.

Fertilization and Pruning

Fertilize your young plant with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) to encourage vigorous growth. As it matures and begins to fruit, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to support fruit development. Prune your dwarf barbados cherry live plant to maintain its desired size and shape, remove any dead or diseased branches, and encourage air circulation. Light pruning after fruiting can also promote new growth and more flowers and fruit in the next season. Regular pruning helps maintain the plant’s health and maximizes your yield of fruit trees for backyard enjoyment.

Size & Details

This offering is for one healthy dwarf barbados cherry live plant, which arrives as a thriving seedling measuring between 5-9 inches tall. These young plants are carefully packaged to ensure their safe arrival, ready for immediate planting in your garden or a suitable container. The Barbados Cherry is known for its relatively fast growth rate, and with optimal conditions, it can reach its mature height of 3-6 feet within a few years. It is typically shipped in a nursery pot, maintaining its root ball integrity. Expect your acerola cherry tree to begin flowering and fruiting within 1-2 years after planting, providing a rewarding experience for those who grow barbados cherry.

The compact nature of this variety makes it an excellent choice for various settings, including small suburban backyards, urban patios, or even as an indoor specimen in a sunny room. Its manageable size also simplifies harvesting the delicious fruit. This dwarf barbados cherry live plant is a long-term investment, offering years of fresh, nutritious fruit and an attractive presence in your landscape or home. Get ready to enjoy the unique taste and health benefits of home-grown acerola cherries.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: This dwarf barbados cherry live plant typically grows 3-6 feet tall at maturity, making it an ideal size for small gardens, containers, or indoor spaces. Its compact growth habit is one of its key advantages.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Barbados Cherry can be grown outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder areas, it can be successfully grown indoors as a potted plant, provided it receives sufficient sunlight.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This plant requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth and fruit production. Choose a sunny location outdoors or a bright, south-facing window indoors.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, once established, the acerola cherry tree is considered relatively low-maintenance. It needs consistent watering initially, but becomes more tolerant to drought and requires minimal care afterward.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your 5-9” tall dwarf barbados cherry live plant will arrive as a healthy, carefully packaged seedling, typically in a nursery pot with its root ball intact, ready for planting.
• Q: How long until it blooms and produces fruit? A: With proper care, your Barbados Cherry plant can begin to flower and produce fruit within 1-2 years of planting. This quick turnaround makes it a rewarding fruit tree to cultivate.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: It is hardy in USDA Zones 9-11. If you are in a colder zone, you will need to bring your acerola cherry tree indoors during the winter months to protect it from frost.
• Q: What are the benefits of growing an acerola cherry tree? A: Growing an acerola cherry tree provides fresh, nutrient-rich fruit exceptionally high in Vitamin C. It’s a compact, attractive plant that offers both ornamental beauty and healthy harvests, making it a great addition to any collection of fruit trees for backyard or patio.
• Q: What kind of soil does it prefer? A: The Barbados Cherry thrives in well-draining soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0). A good quality potting mix with organic matter is recommended for container planting.
• Q: How often should I fertilize my plant? A: During the growing season (spring and summer), fertilize with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Once it starts fruiting, switch to a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium to encourage more fruit production.