“Planted next to the Cherry of Rio Grande for comparison.”
Background
Eugenia uniflora, known as Surinam cherry, pitanga, or Brazil cherry, is native to eastern South America (Amazon region). It is the most widely grown edible Eugenia in the world, valued for its adaptability, and is also used as an ornamental hedge. Named selections exist (e.g., dark-fruited Lolita, var. dasyblasta), but most plants are seedlings with variable flavor. The UA arboretum notes it is native to eastern South America and is listed as invasive in Florida, Bermuda, Australia, and Hawaii.
Distinguishing traits
Round, deeply ribbed berries 1-1.2 inches, red to dark red or nearly black when ripe, with a sweet-tart flavor and a sometimes resinous aftertaste that varies by seedling. Fast-growing evergreen shrub to small tree (6-25 ft); leaves turn red in cool weather. The UA arboretum describes Surinam cherry as a tropical shrub or small tree with bronze new leaves maturing dark green and fragrant white spring flowers.
Desert care — zone 9b
- Chill hours
- None.
- Cold hardiness
- Zone 9-11; established plants tolerate light frost and upper 20s°F without damage; young plants need protection. Hardy enough for 9b with basic frost care.
- Heat tolerance
- Good heat tolerance; fruits best in sustained warmth (roughly 68-90°F). Afternoon shade helps in 115°F+ extremes.
- Water
- Water consistently during flowering and fruit set; moderately drought-tolerant otherwise. Mulch to retain moisture. The UA arboretum rates water use as moderate, noting regular watering yields larger, sweeter fruit though established plants tolerate drought.
- Soil
- Very adaptable: sand, loam, clay, even brief waterlogging; intolerant of salt.
- Sun exposure
- Full sun for heaviest flowering and fruiting; tolerates part shade.
Where to buy
- Top Tropicals