Miracle fruit (miracle berry) Synsepalum dulcificum
Miracle fruit (miracle berry) (Synsepalum dulcificum) is an evergreen perennial fruit plant in the Sapotaceae family, native to West Africa (Ghana to Congo). It grows 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) tall and 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Miracle fruit (miracle berry) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Miracle fruit (miracle berry) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Sapotaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–4 m (4.9–13 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 4.5–5.8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: berries (pulp; makes sour food taste sweet for 30–60 minutes) |
| Native to | West Africa (Ghana to Congo) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Miracle fruit (miracle berry) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
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 Miracle fruit (miracle berry)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With English lavender: Acid-loving plants need pH 4.5–5.5, lavender prefers neutral to alkaline soil; one bed cannot suit both. Evidence B
Questions about Miracle fruit (miracle berry)
- How far apart should I plant Miracle fruit (miracle berry)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft).
- Does Miracle fruit (miracle berry) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Miracle fruit (miracle berry) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Miracle fruit (miracle berry)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Miracle fruit (miracle berry) flower?
- About 156–209 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is Miracle fruit (miracle berry) 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.
- What grows well with Miracle fruit (miracle berry)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Miracle fruit (miracle berry). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- Lost Crops of Africa, vol. I Grains (1996), II Vegetables (2006), III Fruits (2008), National Research Council, National Academies Press, Washington DC
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: needs warm nights all year; in a frosty climate grow it under glass or as a summer container plant.
- A slow, compact, glossy shrub that needs acid soil (pH below 6) and a good container mix. The protein miraculin in the red berry binds to sweet taste receptors and is switched on by acid, so lemons taste sweet.
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
- Lúcuma Pouteria lucuma
- Argan tree Sideroxylon spinosum
- Shea tree Vitellaria paradoxa
- Sapodilla (chico, lamut) Manilkara zapota
- Star apple (caimito) Chrysophyllum cainito
- Spanish cherry (bullet wood, phikun) Mimusops elengi
- Mamey sapote Pouteria sapota
- Abiu Pouteria caimito