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15% OFF Strawberry Trees - Barbados Cherries - Papayas
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Roselle & Egyptian Spinach - Buy One Get One Free
🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌟 Star Cherry Tree (Pitangatuba) — Passionfruit-Zing in a Compact, Edible Ornamental! 🍒✨
Eugenia neonitida (syn. E. selloi) — rare Brazilian “restinga” native with tart-sweet, tropical fruit notes
Meet the Star Cherry (Pitangatuba) — a glossy-leaved, compact evergreen that loads up with dazzling golden-orange, star-ribbed fruit. The flavor? Think passionfruit with hints of mango and pineapple—bright, tangy, and irresistible for juices, sorbets, and jams. It stays small, fruits young, and thrives in Florida and other warm, humid gardens (or in a large patio container).
🌿 Quick Facts (At-a-Glance)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Eugenia neonitida (syn. E. selloi) |
| Plant Type | Fruiting evergreen shrub/small tree (Myrtaceae) |
| Sale Size | Ships in 1-gallon pot (live plant) |
| Mature Size | Unpruned: ~4–6 ft tall × 4–6 ft wide • Pruned: 3–5 ft for containers/hedges |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 best outdoors • 8B with protection • containers thrive anywhere warm indoors in winter |
| Sun | Full sun to bright partial sun (part shade for young plants) |
| Cold Hardiness | Protect below ~30°F; tolerates only brief, light frost |
| Growth Habit | Compact, bushy, ornamental; ideal for containers and small spaces |
| Spacing | 4–6 ft in ground • 3–4 ft for tight hedging |
| Pollination | Self-fertile, insect-pollinated flowers |
🍒 Fruit & Flavor Profile
- Appearance: 1–2.5" golden-orange fruit with bold star ribs
- Texture: Juicy and soft; thin-skinned, short shelf life once ripe
- Flavor: Tart-sweet with tropical notes of passionfruit, mango, and pineapple
- Fruiting Age: Often 2–3 years from planting
- Season: Multiple flushes through warm months in Florida; nearly everbearing in tropical climates
- Best Uses: Fresh eating, juices, jams, syrups, and frozen desserts
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Compact footprint: Perfect for patios, courtyards, or edible hedges
- Container-friendly: Fruits prolifically in 15–25 gallon pots
- Ornamental appeal: Glossy evergreen leaves and star-shaped fruit create tropical beauty
- Pollinator magnet: Fragrant white blooms attract bees and butterflies
- Culinary delight: The fruit’s bright tang enhances drinks, curds, and jams
Origin & Story
Native to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest coast, the Eugenia neonitida thrives in sandy, nutrient-poor “restinga” soils. Its natural adaptability to salt spray and high humidity makes it a hardy coastal edible for Florida and similar climates.
Both E. selloi and E. neonitida names appear in trade; they describe the same species known for its compact size and star-shaped golden fruit.
🪴 Container & Indoor Growing
- Pot sizes: Start in 3–7 gallons; up-pot to 15–25 gallons for full fruiting
- Soil: Slightly acidic, well-draining mix (pH 5.5–6.5) with pine bark, compost & perlite
- Light: Full sun outdoors; brightest indoor location in winter
- Cold protection: Move indoors or cover when temps drop below 30°F
- Indoor pollination: Hand-pollinate flowers for reliable fruit set
🌳 Planting & Care (GreenDreams “High & Tight” Method)
Where to Plant:
Choose a sunny, wind-sheltered location with excellent drainage. Slight afternoon shade helps in extremely hot inland sites.
How to Plant:
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the container—not deeper.
- Set the rootball so the top sits 1–2 inches above the surrounding grade (“High & Tight”).
- Backfill with native soil mixed with compost; avoid burying the trunk flare.
- Water thoroughly to settle soil.
- Top-dress with compost and trace minerals, then apply organic mulch 2–3 inches deep—keeping mulch off the trunk.
📹 Watch our full planting demo here: GreenDreams YouTube - “High & Tight” Method
Watering:
Keep evenly moist during establishment. Afterward, water deeply once a week, more often during fruiting or drought. Avoid letting soil dry out completely.
Feeding:
Use organic, balanced fertilizer spring–summer. Incorporate compost or slow-release organic nutrients for consistent growth.
Pruning:
- Tip-prune after fruiting to encourage branching and denser foliage
- Remove weak or crossing stems to improve airflow
- Maintain 3–5 ft height for container plants
Seasonal Habits:
Evergreen in warm climates, though may shed some leaves after cold snaps or drought stress. Growth resumes quickly with warmer weather.
🌼 Boosting Fruit Set
- Provide 6–8 hours of full sun daily
- Maintain steady moisture and balanced feeding
- Encourage natural pollinators
- For indoor setups, hand-pollinate for maximum fruit yield
🧑🍳 Culinary & Nutritional Notes
- Enjoy ripe fruit fresh for a tangy tropical burst
- Excellent for fresh juices, jams, sorbets, or mixed with sweet fruit in desserts
- The fruit and leaves contain natural antioxidants and phenolic compounds, contributing to their nutritional value (based on general phytochemical research)
❓ FAQ (SEO-Optimized)
Is Pitangatuba self-fertile?
Yes, a single plant will produce fruit.
How tart is the fruit?
Fully ripe fruit balances tangy acidity with tropical sweetness.
Can it grow near the coast?
Yes, it’s adapted to sandy coastal soils and light salt exposure.
When will it fruit?
Most plants begin producing within 2–3 years under ideal conditions.
Can it grow indoors?
Yes, in large pots under bright light with hand pollination for fruit set.
Does it lose leaves?
It’s evergreen but may thin slightly in winter or during stress.
🐛 Troubleshooting Guide
- Yellowing leaves: Overwatering or poor drainage—improve aeration.
- Sparse fruiting: Not enough sun, pollinators, or nutrients—adjust accordingly.
- Pests: Occasionally attracts scale or aphids; control with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
- Cold damage: Browning after frost—prune lightly once temperatures warm.
🌿 Companion Plants
- Pollinator attractors: Basil, African blue basil, or Mexican sunflower
- Soil companions: Pine bark mulch and compost help maintain ideal acidity
⚠️ Shipping & Seasonal Notes
Our 1-gallon size ship best to Florida, the Southeastern U.S., and Texas.
We ship via UPS Ground every Monday.
- Plants shipped to northern or western states may arrive stressed and need recovery time.
- Buyer discretion is advised during peak heat or cold seasons.
- We are not responsible for weather-related shipping damage.
- Smaller (4”) plants dry out faster; we recommend 1-gallon or larger for long-distance orders.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Gardeners seeking rare tropical fruits
- Container growers in cooler climates
- Collectors of exotic Eugenia species
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Regions with frequent frost
- Gardeners preferring drought-tolerant species
Ready to Add Some Tropics to Your Garden?
Bring home the flavor of passionfruit in a star-shaped package! 🌴🍒
Order your Star Cherry (Pitangatuba) today and enjoy fruit in as little as 2–3 years.
📍 Local Pickup
Available for Local Pickup at GreenDreams!
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🌾 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar & soil materials
- 🌱 Wholesale & regenerative landscape solutions
Let our team help you create your thriving edible paradise — starting with Star Cherry! 🌿
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.
