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🍇 Scarlet Jaboticaba Tree (Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’) — 4″ Starter Plant 🌿
The fastest-fruiting jaboticaba in our collection — grown slow, grown right
Start your tropical fruit journey with one of the most beautiful and rewarding trees we grow — the Scarlet Jaboticaba (‘Escarlate’). This rare cultivar is widely regarded as the earliest-fruiting jaboticaba, making it an ideal introduction for growers who enjoy nurturing tropical trees from a young age and watching their structure, trunk, and fruiting wood develop over time.
Our 4″ starter plants are approximately 12–18 months old, healthy, and vigorous for their size. While still young, they already carry the genetics that make Scarlet one of the most exciting jaboticabas available.
🌿 Quick Facts (At-a-Glance)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Plinia sp. ‘Escarlate’ |
| Common Name | Scarlet Jaboticaba |
| Sale Size | 4″ container (young starter plant) |
| Approximate Age | 12–18 months |
| Mature Size | 20–30 ft unpruned in-ground |
| Managed Size | 6–12 ft when container-grown and pruned |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 outdoors • greenhouse/container elsewhere |
| Light Preference | Filtered or dappled light strongly preferred |
| Cold Tolerance | Sensitive to frost; protect below ~32°F |
| Soil / pH | Moist, well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 5.5–6.5) |
| Growth Habit | Slow and compact when young; upright with age |
| Foliage Type | Evergreen in subtropical climates; brief leaf drop under stress |
| Fruiting Habit | Cauliflorous (fruit on trunk and older wood) |
🍈 Fruit & Fruiting Characteristics
- Flavor profile: Sweet and tropical with a delicate tang, often compared to muscadine grape and lychee
- Texture: Juicy, gelatinous pulp with thin, edible purple skin
- Display: Fruits form directly on the trunk and mature branches, creating a dramatic edible display
- Fruiting timeline: Scarlet is the fastest-fruiting jaboticaba we grow, but from a 4″ plant, plan ~4–6 years to reach fruiting maturity under ideal care
We intentionally set conservative expectations so growers are pleasantly surprised rather than disappointed.
🌱 GreenDreams Growing Experience (Why Scarlet Is Special)
We’ve grown jaboticabas in Florida’s subtropics for over a decade, and Scarlet consistently outpaces every other cultivar in both growth rate and fruiting readiness once mature.
While jaboticabas are slow by nature, Scarlet shows:
- Faster trunk thickening
- Earlier development of fruiting wood
- More frequent flowering cycles once established
Each year of proper care brings fuller foliage, stronger structure, and a tree that’s clearly moving toward productivity.
🌾 Our Proven Growing Method (The Foundation)
Preferred Growing Medium (50/50 Rule):
- 50% peat moss (or coconut coir)
- 50% perlite or fine pine bark
This mix is:
- Acidic
- Highly aerated
- Moisture-retentive without becoming soggy
🚫 Avoid sand, native garden soil, or heavy potting mixes in containers — jaboticaba roots suffocate easily in compacted media.
💧 Watering Requirements (Non-Negotiable)
Scarlet Jaboticaba is a heavy water user.
- Containers: Daily watering is ideal during warm weather
- Soil: Should remain evenly moist at all times — never bone dry
- Best method: Drip irrigation or watering at the soil level
- Mulch: Apply 2–3″ of pine bark or wood chips to stabilize moisture
Consistent moisture is the single biggest driver of healthy growth and early fruiting.
☀️ Light & Placement (Clarified)
This is one of the most important sections.
🌤 For Young Trees (4″ up to ~30-Gallon Size)
- Filtered or dappled light is best
- Avoid direct afternoon sun
- Ideal locations:
- Shaded patios
- Screened enclosures
- Under high, light tree canopy
- Greenhouses
Direct sun at this stage often causes:
- Leaf scorch
- Yellowing
- Growth stalling
🌳 For Mature Trees (30-Gallon or Larger)
- Once fully established with a large root mass, Scarlet can tolerate full sun
- Even then, filtered light often produces healthier foliage and more reliable fruiting
- If transitioning to more sun, do so gradually over months, not weeks
🪴 Container Growing & Transplanting (Thorough Guidance)
Container Culture (Strongly Recommended)
Containers allow:
- Perfect pH control
- Heavy watering without waterlogging
- Easier cold protection
- Better long-term performance in Florida soils
Step-Up Container Plan
4″ → 1G → 2G → 3G → 7G → 15–30G
When to Transplant
Do not rush transplanting.
Most 4″ Scarlet Jaboticabas:
- Do not need transplanting for 6–12 months
- Prefer staying slightly snug
Transplant when you see:
- Roots circling the bottom
- Water running straight through
- Drying too quickly between waterings
How to Transplant
- Do not disturb the root ball
- Plant at the same depth (root flare just above soil line)
- Pack soil firmly
- Return to filtered light while recovering
Pruning
Although we heavily prune many fruit trees, jaboticabas are an exception.
Scarlet Jaboticaba does not respond well to hard pruning.
Why Heavy Pruning Causes Problems
- Jaboticabas prefer to refill on existing branches
- Hard pruning triggers a stress flush of very tender new growth
- That new growth is extremely sun-sensitive
- Combined with direct or near-full sun, this often leads to:
- Yellowing
- Leaf burn
- Growth shutdown
What We Recommend Instead
- Remove only dead, damaged, or crossing branches
- Avoid cutting back healthy wood
- Allow time, moisture, and filtered light to let the canopy naturally fill in
This approach leads to:
- Healthier foliage
- Stronger trunk development
- Earlier, more reliable fruiting
Seasonal Habits (Florida & Similar Climates)
| Season | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | Strong growth flush; highlights structural development |
| Summer | Steady growth; water demand highest |
| Fall | Continued slow growth; prepares fruiting wood |
| Winter | Evergreen; brief leaf drop possible after cold stress |
Scarlet does not go dormant. Leaf drop is stress-related, not seasonal.
Troubleshooting (Quick Reference)
1️⃣ Yellow Leaves — High pH or sun stress → Use acidic mix + filtered light
2️⃣ Leaf Burn / Curl — Too much sun → Increase shade + moisture
3️⃣ Slow Growth — Normal for age → Patience, water, warmth
4️⃣ Root Rot — Poor drainage → Use airy mix + drainage holes
5️⃣ Leaf Drop — Shipping or cold stress → New growth follows within weeks
FAQ
How old is this plant?
Approximately 12–18 months old.
When will it fruit?
Typically 4–6 years from this size under good care.
Container or ground?
Both are possible, but containers perform best.
Can it handle full sun?
Only once fully mature (30-gallon or larger), and even then filtered light is often better.
How often should I water?
Daily or as needed to keep soil evenly moist.
Shipping & Care Disclaimer
- Best shipping: Florida, Southeast & Texas
- Nationwide shipping available with buyer discretion
- Small plants dry quickly — water immediately upon arrival
- Ships UPS Ground every Monday from Florida
📍 Also Available Locally
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open: Tue–Fri 9AM–5PM • Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We do more than sell plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
🌳 Consultations & edible landscape design
🌾 Installation & project management
🚚 Bulk compost, mulch, biochar & soil
🌱 Wholesale & regenerative solutions
Let us help you grow your 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.
