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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.
🍇 Scarlet Jaboticaba Tree (Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’) — 1-Gallon Tropical Fruit Tree 🌿
Among all the jaboticabas in our collection, the Scarlet Jaboticaba (Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’*) is the fastest to fruit — a true favorite for gardeners who want earlier rewards without sacrificing beauty or flavor.
Our 1-gallon size is a healthy, 2–3-year-old plant that’s past its seedling phase and ready for vigorous new growth. Compact now, it will gradually develop into a medium-sized tropical fruit tree with sweet, grape-like clusters forming right on its trunk — a breathtaking display for any edible landscape or container garden.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’ (Scarlet Jaboticaba) |
| Sale Size | Ships in a 1-gallon container (juvenile tree, well-developed canopy) |
| Approximate Age | 2 – 3 years old |
| Mature Size | 20–30 ft in-ground unpruned • 6–12 ft pruned and container-grown |
| USDA Zones | 9 – 11 outdoors • Greenhouse or sunroom for cooler climates |
| Light | Filtered or dappled light preferred when young • Full sun possible for mature trees with consistent moisture |
| Cold Tolerance | Tolerates short dips to 27–29 °F once mature • Protect young plants from frost |
| Soil | Moist, rich, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5) • Must be well-draining |
| Growth Habit | Slow-growing in youth, upright, compact, and cauliflorous (fruits on trunk and limbs) |
| Spacing | 10–20 ft in-ground • Closer for container plantings |
| Foliage Type | Evergreen to semi-evergreen in Florida • Minor leaf drop after stress or cold spells is normal |
🍈 Fruit & Fruiting
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and rich with a hint of tropical tang — like a muscadine grape with a delicate twist of lychee.
- Texture: Juicy, translucent pulp wrapped in a thin, tender purple skin.
- Display: The fruit grows in dense clusters directly on the trunk and older branches, creating a living sculpture.
- Seasonality (Florida): Multiple flushes per year in warm, humid conditions, peaking in spring and summer.
- Fruiting Timeline: The fastest-fruiting jaboticaba in our collection, typically beginning to flower and fruit within 2–4 years from this size under ideal conditions.
🌱 GreenDreams Growing Experience
After years of growing and comparing different jaboticaba cultivars, Scarlet (‘Escarlate’) stands out for its combination of earliness, vigor, and flavor. Though jaboticabas are famous for being patient growers, this one matures faster, rewarding attentive growers sooner.
🌾 Why We Recommend Containers
While jaboticabas can fruit in the ground, we find they perform best in containers, where we can control drainage, moisture, and soil pH.
- Preferred Mix: 50 % perlite / 50 % peat moss — light, acidic, and moisture-stable.
- Watering: Daily watering or drip irrigation is ideal; do not allow to dry out.
- Light: Filtered light for young plants; full sun only after gradual acclimation.
- Our Observation: Filtered or dappled light produces the healthiest foliage at our nursery. Mature trees in full sun (like those in South Florida’s Herb & Spice Park) fruit beautifully when properly irrigated.
🌞 Light & Climate Guidelines
- Young Trees (2–4 yrs): Thrive in filtered or bright partial shade; avoid intense afternoon sun.
- Mature Trees (5+ yrs): Can thrive in full sun with consistent moisture.
- Hot, Dry Conditions: Provide afternoon shade and humidity.
- Cold Events: Protect below 30 °F; cover or move to shelter.
Site Selection & Landscape Use
- Florida (Zones 9–11): Perfect in large containers or rich, organic garden beds with steady irrigation.
- Cooler Regions: Grow in containers that can be moved indoors or to a greenhouse during winter.
- Design Tip: The Scarlet Jaboticaba’s smooth bark, glossy leaves, and cauliflorous fruit make it a showpiece — even when not in fruit.
🪴 Container & Indoor Growing
- Step-Up Plan: 1 G → 3 G → 7 G → 15–30 G as roots fill the pot (larger sizes for pickup only).
- Soil Mix: Use 50/50 perlite and peat moss for best root aeration and moisture balance.
- Light: Filtered or bright indirect light; acclimate slowly to full sun as it matures.
- Humidity: Loves humidity — mist foliage or use a humidifier indoors.
- Pruning: Minimal; remove crossing or shaded interior branches to keep the trunk visible and the canopy airy.
🌼 Companion & Support Plants
Fertility & Biomass: Pigeon Pea • Mexican Sunflower • Vetiver Grass
Pollinators: Blue Porterweed • Dwarf Firebush • African Blue Basil
Ornamentals: Spiral Ginger • Turmeric • Sweet Almond
🌱 Planting & Care (“High & Tight” Method)
Where to Plant: Filtered light preferred for this size; full sun only after acclimation. Soil must be rich, acidic, and well-draining.
Steps:
1️⃣ Remove from pot gently and loosen roots slightly.
2️⃣ Place with root flare slightly above soil line.
3️⃣ Backfill with composted soil and water thoroughly.
4️⃣ Mulch 2–3″ deep, keeping mulch 2–3″ from the trunk.
5️⃣ Keep soil evenly moist with daily irrigation.
6️⃣ See our planting tutorial → **https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI**
💧 Water & Feeding
- Water: Jaboticabas love consistent moisture — water daily in warm weather.
- Fertilizer: Use a balanced organic fertilizer in spring and mid-summer.
- Top Dressing: Compost or worm castings once per year.
- pH Maintenance: Maintain 5.5–6.5; amend with pine bark or elemental sulfur if needed.
🌿 Seasonal Habits
- Evergreen in Florida; may briefly drop leaves during cold or drought.
- New growth appears bronze, maturing to glossy green.
- Once mature, may flower and fruit several times per year after rains or irrigation flushes.
🌾 Troubleshooting Guide
1️⃣ Yellow Leaves / Chlorosis
→ High pH or hard water. Fix with acidic mix and chelated iron.
2️⃣ Leaf Curl / Burn
→ Drought or intense sun. Provide filtered light and steady moisture.
3️⃣ Slow Growth
→ Normal in early years; consistency is key — acidic soil, filtered light, and patience.
4️⃣ Root Rot
→ Soggy soil or poor drainage. Use airy media and drain pots well.
5️⃣ Scale / Sooty Mold
→ Sap feeders. Wipe leaves, apply horticultural oil, improve airflow.
6️⃣ Fruit Splitting (later years)
→ Uneven watering. Maintain steady soil moisture.
🌸 Ornamental Placement
Ideal for patios, lanais, and shaded courtyards. Compact for now, this tree will eventually fill out beautifully, with smooth bark and fruit clusters that make it as decorative as it is delicious.
🍃 FAQ
How old is this plant? ≈ 2–3 years old.
When will it fruit? Usually within 2–4 years, making it the fastest-fruiting jaboticaba we grow.
Will it stay small? No — it grows slowly but steadily, eventually forming a full-sized tree.
Container or in-ground? Both possible; containers perform best for pH and moisture control.
How often should I water? Daily or as needed to keep soil evenly moist.
Full sun or shade? Filtered or dappled light is best; full sun only once mature and acclimated.
🚚 Shipping & Care Disclaimer
- Best Shipping Regions: Florida, Southeast & Texas.
- Extended Regions: Ships nationwide; buyer discretion in heat or cold extremes.
- Transit Note: May need a short recovery period after shipping.
- Local Pickup: Larger sizes (3G & up) available for pickup only at our Spring Hill nursery.
📍 Also Available Locally
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open: Tue–Fri 9 AM–5 PM • Sat 8 AM–3 PM
🌿 Beyond the Plant — GreenDreams Services
We don’t just grow plants — we design, build & restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Edible landscape design & consultations
- 🌾 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar & soil
- 🌱 Wholesale and regenerative growing solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with Scarlet Jaboticaba! 🌿
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.
