Florida Sweet is a sweet selection of Barbados cherry (acerola), a small shrub bearing bright red, vitamin C-rich cherries several times a year. (Malpighia emarginata 'Florida Sweet')
Shop this plant: Florida Sweet Barbados Cherry Tree – 3 Gal
Quick Care Summary
- Sun: Full sun, at least 6-8 hours a day, for the best flowering and fruit.
- Soil: Well-drained soil is essential.
- Watering: Water new plants 2-3 times a week for the first month, then weekly through the first year.
Sun
Full sun, at least 6-8 hours a day, for the best flowering and fruit.
Soil
Well-drained soil is essential. South Florida's sandy and limestone soils work well if water never stands; plant on a slight mound in low areas and mix in compost at planting.
Watering
Water new plants 2-3 times a week for the first month, then weekly through the first year. Established trees need deep watering during dry spells, especially while flowering and setting fruit.
Fertilizer Schedule for South Florida
Young trees: a balanced fertilizer with minor elements (such as 6-6-6 or 8-3-9) every 6-8 weeks from March through September, starting small and increasing as the tree grows. Mature trees: 2-3 applications a year (spring, early summer, late summer). Skip fertilizer from November through February. On alkaline South Florida soil, add chelated iron and manganese if new leaves are pale with green veins.
Pruning
Prune lightly after harvest to shape the tree, remove dead and crossing branches, and keep it at a pickable height.
Cold Protection
Mature plants handle brief dips to about 28°F; protect young plants below 32°F.
Container vs. In-Ground
Excellent in a 10-20 gallon container or as a hedge.
Spacing
Plant 6-10 ft apart, or 4-5 ft for a hedge.
Flowering and Fruiting Timeline
Fruits within 1-2 years, with several crops from spring through fall after rains.
Harvest
Pick when cherries are fully red and slightly soft. They spoil quickly, so eat, juice or freeze them the same day.
Common Pests and Diseases
Start with organic, low-impact fixes: good airflow, clean-up of fallen fruit and leaves, and soaps or oils before anything stronger. Always follow label directions.
Scale and mealybugs
How to identify: Small bumps or white cottony clusters on stems and leaf undersides, often with sticky honeydew and black sooty mold.
Organic-first treatment: Prune heavily infested twigs, spray horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, and control the ants that farm them.
Root-knot nematodes
How to identify: Stunted growth and knotted roots in sandy soil.
Organic-first treatment: Mulch heavily with organic matter and add compost; plant into improved soil.
Aphids and whiteflies
How to identify: Clusters of small soft insects on new growth; curled, sticky leaves.
Organic-first treatment: Blast off with a strong water spray, then use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage ladybugs and lacewings.
Fruit flies
How to identify: Small punctures in ripening fruit that turn soft and rot from inside.
Organic-first treatment: Harvest on time, pick up dropped fruit daily, and bag developing fruit with mesh or paper bags.
FAQ
Is it self-fruitful? Yes, one plant will fruit.
How much vitamin C? Acerola is one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C.
Related Reading
- Which Fruit Trees Are the Lowest Maintenance in South Florida?
- Why Too Much Fertilizer Can Hurt Your Fruit Tree More Than None
- Cold-Hardy Fruit Trees for Florida Freezes (and How to Protect Tender Ones)
Ready to grow your own? Get the Florida Sweet Barbados Cherry here.
