Barbados Cherry (Acerola Cherry)

About Barbados Cherry (Acerola Cherry)

The Barbados Cherry, or Acerola (Malpighia emarginata), is a bushy shrub prized for its small, bright-red, cherry-like fruit — one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C known.

Growing Conditions

• Sunlight: Full sun to light shade; fruits best with plenty of direct sun.
• Soil: Well-drained soil of almost any type; tolerates poor soil once established.
• Climate: Tropical and subtropical regions; sensitive to frost and prolonged cold.

Planting & Spacing

Can be kept compact as a container shrub or planted in the ground with space to spread as a small tree/large bush.

Care

• Watering: Water when the topsoil feels dry; established plants tolerate short dry spells.
• Fertilizer: Organic fertilizer once every 2-3 months.
• Pruning: Light pruning keeps the bushy shrub shape and encourages new fruiting branches.

Fruiting & Harvest

This variety typically begins fruiting 1-2 years after planting. Fruit turns bright glossy red and is soft to the touch when ripe.

Note: This listing ships a young nursery plant, not a fruiting tree. Time to first fruit and yield vary by climate, care, and region - we don't promise a fixed timeline.