Care Guide | Barbados Cherry

One tiny Barbados cherry contains as much vitamin C as an entire navel orange. This attractive shrubby Acerola tree produces beautiful pink and yellow blossoms before maturing into juicy, red fruits that measure about 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. The main fruiting season is spring but extends off and on all year. Barbados cherry is a host plant for the caterpillars of several butterflies. It's a great source of natural vitamin C used in many vitamin tablets.

Characteristics

Barbados Cherry plants are fast-growing tropical shrubs or small trees that thrive in USDA zones 9–11. They prefer warm temperatures, full sun, and well-drained soil. These plants develop a dense, bushy canopy with small, glossy leaves and produce clusters of pink flowers followed by bright red fruit.

Typically growing 6–12 feet tall, Barbados Cherry can be kept smaller with pruning or by growing in a pot. They are known for their rapid fruiting and can produce several crops per year under ideal conditions. The fruit is soft, juicy, and highly perishable, making it best enjoyed fresh or processed soon after harvest.

Barbados cherry is a host plant for the caterpillars of several butterflies, including the White-Patched Skipper (Chiomara asychis), Florida Duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus), and Brown-Banded Skipper (Timochares ruptifasciatus).

Overview

🏷️ Scientific Name: Malpighia emarginata
📊 Classification: Tropical perennial shrub/tree
📍 Origin: Caribbean & Central America
🗺️ USDA Hardiness Zones: 9b–11
📏 Height Potential: 10–12 feet
🏡 Planting: Outdoors or in containers
☀️ Light: Full sun
💧 Soil/Watering: Well-drained, moderate watering
🍴 Fertilizer: Balanced or fruit tree fertilizer
✂️ Pruning: Encouraged for shape and yield
❄️ Cold Weather Care: Protect from frost
🍒 Fruiting and Harvesting: 1–2 years after planting
🕷️ Common Pests: Aphids, whiteflies, scale
🐈 Toxic to Pets? No

Scientific Name

Barbados Cherry belongs to the Malpighiaceae family and is classified under the Malpighia genus. The most widely cultivated species is Malpighia emarginata (formerly known as Malpighia glabra). It is also commonly known as Acerola and is prized for its extremely high vitamin C content.

Classification

Barbados Cherry is a tropical perennial shrub or small tree that produces fruit multiple times per year. It features a dense growth habit with thin branches and small leaves. The plant flowers and fruits continuously in warm climates, making it a highly productive choice for home growers. 

Origin

Barbados cherry is native to South America, southern Mexico, the Caribbean, Brazil, and Central America. It is also known as Wild Crapemyrtle, Manzanita, and Acerola.

USDA Hardiness Zones

Plants have a culture they prefer, just as people from various countries and households have their own customs and traditions. The U.S. Department of Agriculture created the USDA hardiness zone map to help gardeners identify the areas in which plants tend to grow well based on past average temperatures/climates. On the USDA's site, you can enter your zip code to identify your hardiness zone.

Barbados Cherry grows best in USDA Zones 9b–11. It thrives in warm, humid climates and is sensitive to frost. Temperatures below 30°F can damage or kill the plant. In cooler areas, it can be grown in containers and brought indoors during cold weather.

No fear if you live outside the hardiness zone, you can make a few adjustments to help it thrive. The most important adjustment of which is to protect from temperature extremes. In cooler climates, they are best grown in containers and brought indoors during colder months.

Height Potential

Barbados Cherry typically grows 10–12 feet tall but can be pruned to maintain a smaller size. In containers, it often stays more compact, making it suitable for patios or small spaces. There is also a dwarf variety (Malpighia glabra 'Nana') that averages 3-6 feet. 

Planting

Plant Barbados Cherry in a sunny location with well-draining soil. Space plants about 6–10 feet apart if planting in the ground. Container growing is a great option in cooler climates or for easier maintenance.

Light

Barbados Cherry thrives in full sun and requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Adequate sunlight is essential for strong growth and consistent fruit production.

Soil/Watering

You can plant Barbados Cherry in sandy to rich soil. Just ensure it's well-drained. Allowing the top inch of soil to dry between waterings. While somewhat drought-tolerant once established, consistent moisture will improve fruit yield and quality.

Fertilizer

Feed with a balanced fertilizer or fruit tree fertilizer every 4–6 weeks during the growing season. Regular feeding supports flowering and frequent fruiting cycles.

Pruning

Pruning is beneficial for maintaining shape, encouraging branching, and increasing fruit production. Trim lightly after harvests to promote new growth and future blooms.

Cold Weather Care

Barbados Cherry is sensitive to cold and should be protected from frost. Cover plants during cold snaps or move container-grown plants indoors when temperatures drop below 40°F. Mature trees can survive temperatures down to 28 degrees Fahrenheit for brief periods. If the tree freezes, it will often return from the roots. Learn more in our Overwintering Guide.

Fruiting and Harvesting

Barbados Cherry can begin fruiting within 1–2 years and may produce multiple harvests per year. Fruits ripen quickly and should be picked when fully red. Because they are delicate and perishable, they are best consumed or processed soon after harvest.

Common Pests

Common pests include aphids, whiteflies, and scale insects. Treat infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap and maintain good airflow around the plant.

Toxic to Pets?

Barbados Cherry is not toxic to pets and is safe to grow in households with cats and dogs.

After Arrival Care

Please give your plant a little TLC after its journey through the mail 📬. Here are a few steps we recommend:

• Unwrap immediately to provide fresh air to the plant and soil.
• Wait a few days before exposing to full sunlight so your plant can adjust after being in a dark box for several days.
• Always protect from heat and cold because temperature extremes can be stressful or deadly for plants.
• Water. Your baby plant may be parched and even a little wilted but thorough hydration will help it recover.
• Grow out in a larger pot to increase your chances of success—i.e., a quarter gallon—Then transplant to the ground or the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom. This will help the plant get sufficient water and nutrients directly to the roots.

Learn more in our After Arrival Care Guide.

Repotting

We highly recommend growing your baby plant out in a larger pot 🪴 to increase your chances of success 🏆. Repotting helps focus the water and nutrients directly towards the roots. If the pot is too large or if your baby is planted in the ground, the water and nutrients have more room to spread to the wrong places where they aren’t needed. This can be extra detrimental to a baby plant that needs all the support it can get as it’s growing up. You don’t have to repot immediately, but the sooner you do, the more room it has to grow.

Here are some general repotting tips:

• Start with a pot that's 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the starter-sized pot it came in. A pint or quart would be great.
• Transplant to the next pot size up once the roots fill to the bottom.

Learn more in our Repotting Guide.

Grow Your Own Barbados Cherry

Start or continue growing your Barbados Cherry collection with Wellspring Gardens.

Happy planting! 🪴