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🍒 Miracle Fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) — The Berry That Turns Sour Sweet!
Ready to delight guests and dial down sugar? This slow-growing evergreen shrub/tree produces red berries that make lemons taste like lemonade and limes like candy—thanks to a naturally occurring protein called miraculin. Add wonder to your kitchen, patio, or food forest with this curiosity-packed conversation starter.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Synsepalum dulcificum |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruiting shrub/small tree |
| Size at Sale | 1-gallon or 3-gallon container |
| Mature Height & Width | 5–10 ft pruned; up to 12–18 ft unpruned; 4–8 ft wide |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 (protect from cold) |
| Sun Requirements | Bright filtered light to partial shade; can handle full sun in warm, humid climates |
| Cold Hardiness | Protect below ~40°F; can be damaged/fatal near freezing |
| Growth Habit | Dense, upright, slow-growing |
| Spacing Requirements | 5–6 ft between plants (hedge) or 8–10 ft (specimen) |
🍈 Fruit & Flavor Details
- Flavor mechanics: The berry’s pulp contains miraculin, a glycoprotein that temporarily alters taste receptor activity so sour/acidic foods taste sweet.
- Fruit description: Glossy red, oval berries with thin skin and one seed; mildly tangy on their own.
- Season & yield: Multiple light flushes through warm months; in South Florida it can bear year-round under good conditions. Expect modest crops per plant—grow 2+ for more frequent harvests.
- Boost fruit set: Outdoor pollinators help. Indoors, gently brush flowers by hand to move pollen; keeping two plants can improve fruiting. Some studies note features that encourage insect pollination and reduce selfing.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary wizardry: Taste-tripping sessions (lemons, limes, grapefruit, vinegar, goat cheese, berries) become unforgettable—without added sugar.
- Naturally sweet “assist”: Because miraculin works only in acidic conditions, it can help reduce added sugars in tart recipes and beverages. Ongoing research explores applications for palate changes during medical treatments.
- Ornamental value: Shiny, deep-green leaves and tidy habit make a handsome patio or understory specimen.
- Origin story: Native to West Africa (Ghana to the Congo), used traditionally before meals to sweeten sour foods—a practice documented since the 1700s.
🌼 Ornamental & Container Gardening Notes
- Great in containers: Thrives in large pots; easy to move for cold protection. Use an acid-loving mix (pine-bark based) and keep evenly moist.
- Indoor culture: Bright, indirect light (south/east window or LED grow lights), high humidity if possible, and acidic potting mix. Hand-pollinate blooms for berries indoors.
- Landscape use: Understory/filtered-light bed, tropical courtyard, or edible patio vignette with other acid lovers (blueberries, jaboticaba).
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to Plant
- Light: Filtered sun/partial shade; in hot Florida sites it can also fruit in full sun with ample moisture.
- Soil: Well-drained, acidic (target pH ~5); avoid alkaline/limestone soils and hard water.
Planting Instructions
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the pot and no deeper.
- Set the plant high & tight—do not bury the crown. Backfill with native soil amended lightly with compost.
- Top-dress with biochar, compost, and trace minerals (e.g., azomite).
- Finish with hardwood mulch, keeping mulch a few inches from the trunk.
- For guidance, follow GreenDreams' “High & Tight” planting method.
Watering
- Keep evenly moist, not soggy. Use rainwater or acidified water if your tap is alkaline. Water daily to establish, then weekly through the first year; increase during heat/drought.
Feeding
- Light, regular feedings during warm months using an acid-plant fertilizer or gentle organic program; monitor for iron chlorosis in high-pH conditions.
Seasonal Care (Florida)
- Cold protection: Move containers or cover plants when temps threaten the low 40s; avoid frost exposure. Prune lightly after harvest to shape and keep compact.
⚠️ Cautions
- Cold sensitivity: Injury below ~40°F; protect from frost/freezing.
- pH sensitivity: Alkaline soils/water cause yellowing and decline—maintain acidic root zone.
- Edibility note: The berry is eaten for its effect; the large seed is not consumed. (General horticultural guidance.)
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Culinary explorers, home mixologists, educators, and hosts who love memorable tasting experiences
- Container gardeners and patio growers needing a compact tropical conversation piece
- Health-conscious cooks seeking less added sugar in acidic recipes
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Gardeners with high-pH, limestone soils or very alkaline water sources
- Those expecting heavy fruit yields from a single plant (this is a novelty performer, not a bulk producer)
❓ FAQ
How long until my plant fruits?
With good light, warmth, and acidity, expect flowers within 1–2 growing seasons from our 3-gal size; 1-gal may take longer. Outdoor pollinators or gentle hand-pollination indoors improve set.
Can I grow Miracle Fruit indoors year-round?
Yes—use bright, indirect light (or a grow light), an acidic potting mix, consistent moisture, and hand-pollinate the tiny flowers.
What exactly makes sour foods taste sweet?
Miraculin binds to sweet receptors at neutral pH and activates them in acidic conditions—so tart foods register as sweet for up to an hour.
Is Miracle Fruit self-pollinating?
It can set fruit alone, but cross-pollination and insect activity improve consistency and yield; indoors, hand-pollination helps.
What soil mix should I use in a pot?
A pine-bark-based, acid mix with excellent drainage works best; keep pH near ~5 and avoid lime.
📦 Shipping & Handling Notes
- Smaller sizes (4” & 1-gallon): Best suited for shipping to Florida, the Southeast, and Texas. We do ship nationwide, but buyers in northern and western states should expect possible transit stress and a short recovery period (filtered light + steady moisture) after arrival.
- Heat/Cold Disclaimer: Please use buyer discretion during peak heat or cold. We ship Mondays via UPS Ground from Florida and are not responsible for damage from extreme temperatures during transit.
📍 Local Pickup
Available for Local Pickup at GreenDreams!
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Open Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
Come see what’s fresh 🌿
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.
