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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🍇 DWARF JABOTICABA ‘COSTADA’ (Plinia phitrantha) — 1-Gallon Tropical Fruit Tree 🌿
Compact, red-fruited, velvet-pulp treasure for collectors & patio growers
The Dwarf Jaboticaba ‘Costada’ (Plinia phitrantha) is one of the most ornamental and productive jaboticabas we grow at GreenDreams. Compact, evergreen, and sculptural, it bursts with clouds of white blossoms directly on its bark, followed by dark red fruit clusters filled with velvety, candy-sweet pulp.
Unlike many jaboticabas that fruit only once or twice a year, ‘Costada’ can flower and fruit almost continuously in Florida’s climate—including in winter months when conditions are mild. It’s the perfect small-scale fruit tree for tropical and subtropical gardeners seeking steady harvests, edible beauty, and easy container care.
🌿 QUICK FACTS
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Plinia phitrantha (syn. Myrciaria phitrantha) |
| Common Name | Dwarf Jaboticaba ‘Costada’ |
| Plant Type | Subtropical Evergreen Fruit Tree |
| Sale Size | 1-Gallon Container |
| Approximate Age | 4–5 years old |
| Mature Size | 6–15 ft tall × 6–12 ft wide (smaller with pruning) |
| USDA Zones | 9B–11 (container culture recommended north of Zone 10A) |
| Sun Requirements | Filtered light or partial sun while young • Full sun once well-established (15-gallon+ size) |
| Cold Hardiness | Light frost tolerant; protect below 27–29°F |
| Soil / pH | Moist, rich, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5); avoid salt & alkaline soils |
| Growth Habit | Compact, multi-trunked, glossy leaves, cauliflorous (fruits on trunk) |
| Foliage Type | Evergreen; brief leaf drop under drought or cold stress |
| Spacing (in-ground) | 8–12 ft apart (closer when container-grown) |
| Fruiting Habit | Multiple crops per year — often year-round, including winter flushes in Florida |
| Bearing Age | 4–5 years from seedling (so this 3G size is nearing production age) |
🍇 FRUIT & FLOWER DETAILS
- Color & Form: Deep red to maroon clusters that form directly on trunk & older wood — dramatic cauliflory display.
- Flavor: Exceptionally sweet and aromatic; “grape-meets-tropical-candy.”
- Texture: Velvety-smooth, low-acid pulp with a pleasant mouthfeel.
- Fruit Size: ½–1 inch diameter depending on culture and sun exposure.
- Seasonality: In Florida and similar climates, Costada is semi-everbearing—producing several flushes per year (spring, summer, and fall), and sometimes even light winter crops when warm and well-watered.
- Pollination: Self-fertile (no second plant required).
- Bloom-to-Harvest: About 30–40 days under warm, humid conditions.
🌱 WHY GREENDREAMS RECOMMENDS CONTAINER CULTURE
At our Spring Hill nursery, we grow nearly all of our jaboticabas in containers—and they thrive.
🌿 Soil Control: Florida’s native sands are often too alkaline. Container growing allows you to maintain the slightly acidic (5.5–6.5) conditions jaboticabas need.
💧 Water Management: Jaboticabas are heavy water lovers; container culture helps maintain constant moisture without waterlogging.
🌞 Light Management: Start them in filtered light, then gradually move to full sun once the tree reaches maturity (15G+ size).
🌳 Mobility & Protection: Containers can be moved indoors or under shelter during cold or windy weather.
🍇 Better Production: Consistent moisture, acidity, and nutrition in pots = faster growth and more frequent crops than many in-ground plantings.
At GreenDreams, our jaboticabas in containers often outproduce in-ground specimens, especially in alkaline or variable soils.
🪴 OUR RECOMMENDED 50/50 GROWING MEDIUM
Jaboticabas thrive in soil that stays evenly moist but well-aerated. Our proven nursery mix keeps roots breathing while maintaining acidity:
- 50% peat moss or coco coir — for acidity and water retention.
- 50% perlite or fine pine bark — for structure and drainage.Optional: add a small amount of compost or worm castings for trace minerals and biology.
Avoid sand or dense garden soils—they compact quickly and lead to root stress or rot.
💧 WATERING REQUIREMENTS
Jaboticabas love water more than most subtropicals. Consistency is key.
- Water daily or use a drip irrigation system to maintain steady moisture.
- Do not allow soil to dry out completely—ever.
- During fruiting cycles, increase water volume slightly to support continuous flowering.
- In cooler months, water less frequently but never let the soil dry to the touch.
- Mulch 2–3 inches deep to retain humidity and regulate soil temperature (keep mulch a few inches from trunk).
Trees grown with consistent moisture often flower again within weeks of a harvest—sometimes even through winter!
🌞 LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
- Filtered or dappled light for all trees under 15 gallons.
- As the tree matures, slowly acclimate to full sun exposure (over 4–6 weeks).
- Full sun yields the heaviest crops once the tree is mature and roots stay moist.
- Filtered light is best for smaller trees or hot inland sites to prevent leaf scorch.
🌾 SEASONAL CARE (FLORIDA & SIMILAR CLIMATES)
| Season | What to Expect | Recommended Care |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Major bloom and fruit flush | Feed with organic fertilizer; maintain high humidity |
| Summer | Rapid growth and possible second fruiting | Daily irrigation; partial shade during hottest days |
| Fall | Steady fruiting in warm regions | Prune lightly; top-dress with compost and mulch |
| Winter | Slower growth but often small fruit crops in mild climates | Protect from frost; maintain moisture; reduce feeding |
🌸 ORNAMENTAL VALUE
- Foliage: Larger and glossier than standard jaboticabas, with rich evergreen shine.
- Bark: Smooth, dappled tones of gray, tan, and bronze — beautifully sculptural.
- Habit: Dense, compact form ideal for small gardens, patios, or edible hedges.
- Flowers: Hundreds of white blooms burst directly from the bark several times per year.
- Fruit Display: Red clusters shimmer like jewels—eye-catching and delicious.
🛠️ PLANTING & CARE — GREEN DREAMS “HIGH & TIGHT” METHOD
1️⃣ Wait for new leaf flush after shipping before transplanting.
2️⃣ Dig a hole only slightly wider than the container, same depth as the rootball.
3️⃣ Set the root flare slightly above grade (never bury the trunk).
4️⃣ Backfill tightly with your 50/50 mix, pressing out air pockets.
5️⃣ Top-dress with compost, biochar, and organic minerals.
6️⃣ Mulch with 2–3″ hardwood chips, keeping them away from the base.
7️⃣ Water thoroughly and maintain daily moisture.
Feeding:
- Organic slow-release fertilizers every 6–8 weeks during warm months.
- Add seaweed or chelated iron to prevent chlorosis.
Pruning:
- Minimal; maintain airflow and shape.
- Avoid heavy pruning before bloom—fruit forms on older wood.
🌿 COMPANION & SUPPORT PLANTS
Fertility & Biomass: Pigeon Pea • Mexican Sunflower • Vetiver Grass
Pollinator Allies: Blue Porterweed • Dwarf Firebush • African Blue Basil
Aesthetic Pairings: Spiral Ginger • Turmeric • Sweet Almond
🔍 TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE — DWARF JABOTICABA ‘COSTADA’
| Problem | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing leaves | Soil too alkaline / nutrient lockout | Lower pH (acidic medium), add chelated iron |
| Leaf burn or curl | Too much sun or drought stress | Increase humidity, water consistently, partial shade |
| Slow growth | Typical jaboticaba habit | Maintain warmth, filtered light, and patience |
| Root rot | Poor drainage / overwatering | Replant in airy 50/50 mix with better drainage |
| Fruit splitting | Inconsistent watering | Keep soil evenly moist at all times |
| Sparse flowering | Low light or cold exposure | Increase filtered light and organic nutrition |
🌾 SEASONAL EXPECTATIONS & FRUITING BEHAVIOR
- Costada can bloom and fruit 3–5 times per year under good conditions.
- Many Florida growers report light crops even in winter, particularly in sheltered patios or greenhouses.
- The tree never enters full dormancy in mild winters — it simply slows down, then flushes again with the next warm spell.
- Expect alternating cycles of growth flush → bloom → fruit → rest, lasting 6–8 weeks each.
With steady moisture and filtered light, Costada behaves almost like an everbearing tropical fruit tree, producing flowers and berries year-round.
CULINARY USES
- Eat fresh from the tree—sweet, grape-like flavor with tropical undertones.
- Blend into smoothies or fruit juices.
- Make jams, jellies, or syrups for desserts and cocktails.
- Ferment into small-batch jaboticaba wine or fruit vinegar.
- Use the skins (high in anthocyanins) to deepen color and antioxidant content.
❓ FAQ
How old is this tree?
Approximately 4–5 years old.
When will it fruit?
2+ years in Florida or similar climates, with proper watering and care.
Can it fruit year-round?
Yes! In humid subtropical conditions, Costada can produce several flushes per year, including light winter crops.
Can it grow indoors?
Yes, with filtered sunlight and humidity above 60%.
Why container-grown?
Allows perfect control of acidity, moisture, and temperature, resulting in healthier growth and faster fruiting.
How much water does it need?
Jaboticabas are heavy water users—aim for consistent, daily moisture.
🚚 SHIPPING & HANDLING
- Ship Day: Mondays via UPS Ground from Florida.
- Best Regions: Florida, Southeast, and Texas.
- Extended Regions: Ships nationwide with buyer discretion during temperature extremes.
- Weather Advisory: We are not responsible for shipping damage due to extreme heat or cold.
- Recovery Tip: Allow 1–2 weeks for acclimation before transplanting.
🌳 IS THIS PLANT RIGHT FOR YOU?
✅ Ideal For:
- Container gardeners & tropical collectors
- Patio or greenhouse growers
- Florida & Gulf Coast landscapes (Zones 9B–11)
- Those seeking continuous fruiting and long-lived ornamental trees
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Coastal/salt-exposed areas
- Arid climates without irrigation
- Growers expecting instant yields
📍 LOCAL PICKUP
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Hours: Tue–Fri 9 AM–5 PM • Sat 8 AM–3 PM
🌿 BEYOND THE PLANT: GREENDREAMS SERVICES
At GreenDreams, we don’t just grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Edible landscape design & onsite consultations
- 🌾 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soil materials
- 🌱 Wholesale & regenerative growing solutions
Let our team help you build your thriving edible paradise — starting with the Dwarf Jaboticaba ‘Costada’! 🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
