Strawberry Tree 7G - Urban Abundance

Strawberry Tree in 7-Gallon Pot Available in Jupiter, FL

The Strawberry Tree (Muntingia calabura), also known as Jamaican Cherry or Cotton Candy Berry, is one of South Florida’s fastest-growing and most charming fruit trees. Its small, red fruits taste like warm strawberry jam with a hint of cotton candy—soft, sweet, and irresistible right off the tree. It produces fruit nearly year-round in warm climates and doubles as a pollinator haven with its delicate, hibiscus-like white flowers.

Grown in a 7-gallon pot, this tree is well-established and ready to thrive in backyards, food forests, or children’s gardens where picking fruit is part of the fun.

Care & Growing Info (Optimized for South Florida):

Sunlight: Full sun—6 to 8 hours per day. More sun encourages continuous flowering and fruiting.

Watering: Moderate to low once established. Likes regular watering during dry spells but is drought-tolerant in the ground.

Soil: Thrives in poor, sandy, or rocky soil. Well-draining soil is essential. Add compost to support young trees in containers.

Fertilizer: Light feeder. Use a mild balanced fertilizer 2–3 times a year. Can fruit heavily without much fertilization.

Growth Habit: Fast-growing, spreading tree with a soft, open canopy. Reaches 15–25 feet tall in the ground. Easily pruned to shape. 7-gallon trees are typically 4–6 feet tall and grow quickly.

Temperature: USDA Zones 10–11. Cold-sensitive—may defoliate in light frost but usually rebounds in spring. Best suited for frost-free zones in South Florida.

Maintenance: Low. Prune to manage size and improve airflow. Self-pollinating. Minimal pest or disease issues.

Harvest & Seasonality:

Planting Time: Can be planted year-round in South Florida with adequate water during establishment.

Harvest Time: Nearly year-round in South Florida, with heaviest flushes in spring and fall.

How to Harvest: Pick when fruits are fully red and soft. Fruit is highly perishable—best eaten fresh from the tree.

Seasonal Notes: Prolific producer that fruits within the first year. Beloved by kids, birds, and beneficial insects.

Medicinal & Nutritional Benefits:

Strawberry tree fruits are rich in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and flavonoids. Traditionally used in tropical cultures to support immune health, reduce inflammation, and as a mild antibacterial. The leaves have also been used in herbal teas for respiratory and digestive support.

Ideal For:

• Backyard snack trees and kids' gardens

• Pollinator-friendly edible landscapes

• Food forests and fast-fill privacy planting

• Growers seeking fruit within the first year

• Low-maintenance, high-yield tropical gardens

Plant Classification:

Scientific Name: Muntingia calabura
Common Name: Strawberry Tree, Jamaican Cherry
Plant Type: Tropical fruit tree
Family: Malvaceae (mallow family)
Class: Dicot – Broadleaf evergreen
Growth Form: Fast-growing, open-branched tree
Evergreen/Deciduous: Semi-evergreen in South Florida (may drop leaves in brief cold spells)
Perennial or Annual: Perennial—fruits year-round in tropical zones

Container Size: 7-gallon pot