Camu camu Myrciaria dubia
Camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to Floodplains (várzea) of the Amazon basin. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Camu camu in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Camu camu at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about September for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Native to | Floodplains (várzea) of the Amazon basin |
| Common in gardens of | 🇵🇪 Peru, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇨🇴 Colombia |
Is Camu camu toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; the fruit is very sour.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Camu camu
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Guava: Myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) infects guava, feijoa, Surinam cherry and many other Myrtaceae; it spreads by airborne spores between them. Evidence B
Questions about Camu camu
- How far apart should I plant Camu camu?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Camu camu need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Camu camu need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Camu camu?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Camu camu flower?
- From about September for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Camu camu poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous; the fruit is very sour.
- What grows well with Camu camu?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Camu camu. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora e Funga do Brasil, Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (REFLORA)
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
- Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia, Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia
Notes and assumptions
- A riverbank shrub that stands for months with its roots under flood water; the grape-sized red-purple berries hold about 2–3 g of vitamin C per 100 g, among the highest of any fruit.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora
- Guava Psidium guajava
- Feijoa Acca sellowiana
- Surinam cherry (pitanga) Eugenia uniflora
- Cider gum (eucalyptus) Eucalyptus gunnii
- Lilly pilly Syzygium smithii
- Crimson bottlebrush Melaleuca citrina
- Mānuka (tea tree) Leptospermum scoparium