Jaboticaba Plinia cauliflora
Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Myrtaceae family, native to South-east Brazil. It grows 4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 5 m (16 ft) apart.
Plan Jaboticaba in your garden →
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Jaboticaba at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Myrtaceae |
| Mature height | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5 m (16 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 313–521 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (grows straight on the trunk) |
| Native to | South-east Brazil |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Jaboticaba toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in standard references.
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 Jaboticaba
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 Jaboticaba
- How far apart should I plant Jaboticaba?
- About 5 m (16 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–6 m (10–20 ft).
- Does Jaboticaba need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jaboticaba need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Jaboticaba?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Jaboticaba flower?
- About 313–521 weeks after planting, for 1–3 weeks.
- Is Jaboticaba 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. No toxicity reported in standard references.
- What grows well with Jaboticaba?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jaboticaba. 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).
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Flowers and grape-like fruit burst straight from the trunk and branches (cauliflory), several times a year. Also called Myrciaria cauliflora.
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