Jaboticaba… what a unique fruit! While there may be some controversy around the pronunciation (Jah-BOW-tee-cah-bah… say it slowly), all who’ve tried the fruit agree that it’s extraordinary! Growing directly on the bark of the tree, the grape-like fruit is juicy and sweet, and the taste has been described as “A base flavor resembling grape, with a symphony of tropical flavor notes dancing on top”. Wow! Note that we grow several different types of Jaboticaba, and each has their own unique attributes and flavor twists.
Most of the world has still never heard of the Jaboticaba tree, but many of our Brazilian customers have a special love for them, having grown up eating the fruit as a child. Jaboticaba is a slow growing, multi-trunked tree native to the Amazon river region of South America. It loves water, and can even grow well in areas with seasonal flooding. Jaboticaba trees can grow well in full sun, but will thrive in filtered sunlight or partially shaded areas. They have attractive deep green foliage, and stunning new growth which can range from purple to reddish-bronze to gold in color. The largest Jaboticaba trees we’ve seen in Florida are only just over 10 feet tall, and several decades old. Their small size and ease of maintenance makes them great candidates for container growing.
For best results with your Jaboticaba tree, make sure to give it plenty of water, and apply organic fertilizer at least twice per year. This tree requires some patience– the fastest fruiting varieties take about 4-5 years to start producing, others can take twice as long or even longer. Your efforts will eventually be rewarded with abundant showy flowers and fruit, multiple times per year! For those who want to skip the wait, we do sell fruiting Jaboticaba specimens, but be prepared to spend a pretty penny!
Most Jaboticaba trees are members of the Plinia genus, but others like the “Yellow Jaboticaba” reside in the Myrciaria genus. There are many hybrids and unique cultivars, making this a great tree for collectors and tropical fruit enthusiasts. As of this time, we have approximately two dozen Jaboticaba cultivars in our collection, and 10 of the best varieties are available for sale.
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Size: Slow-growing up to 10 ft tall & wide.
Sun Requirements: Grows well in full sun, will also thrive in shaded areas.
Cold Hardy: 28 degrees
Harvest Season: Varies. Some varieties fruit year-round.
Watering requirements: Not very drought tolerant, be sure to water frequently.
