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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.
🍑 Pitomba Tree (Eugenia luschnathiana) — Apricot-Flavored Brazilian Treasure 🌿
Compact, exotic, and delicious! Our 1-gallon Pitomba arrives ready to thrive—glossy evergreen leaves, fragrant spring blooms, and golden fruits with an apricot-like flavor that light up small gardens and patios alike. Perfect for Florida and the Southeast, and a beautiful statement tree when grown on into the landscape.
🌿 Quick Facts (at a glance)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Eugenia luschnathiana |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruiting tree (Myrtaceae) |
| Sale Size (Ships In) | 1-gallon container (starter, budget-friendly) |
| Mature Height & Width | 20–25 ft tall × 15–20 ft wide unpruned; keep 8–12 ft with annual pruning |
| USDA Zones | 9–11 outdoors; patio/greenhouse in colder areas (bring protection below freezing) |
| Sun | Full sun to bright partial sun |
| Cold Hardiness | Mature trees tolerate ~26–28°F; young plants injured ~30°F—protect during freezes |
| Growth Habit | Slow-to-moderate, upright with rounded canopy; dense, glossy foliage |
| Soils | Well-drained; performs best slightly acidic; tolerates a range, even light salt spray |
| Spacing (in-ground) | 15–20 ft (hedge or specimen); closer if maintaining by pruning |
| Container Friendly | Fruits well in 7–10-gallon and larger containers; great patio tree |
🍊 Fruit Details — “Tropical Apricot” Flavor
- Taste: Sweet, aromatic, apricot-like with a refreshing tang; faint resinous note typical of many Eugenia fruits.
- Texture & Skin: Thin, tender skin; soft, juicy, golden-yellow pulp.
- Color & Size: Bright orange-yellow berries ~1–2 in (2.5–5 cm).
- Season (Florida): May–July, with occasional light fall crop in warm seasons.
- First Fruiting: Commonly 3–4 years from planting (seedlings); faster if grafted.
- Pollination: Flowers are bee-visited; generally sets solo as a single tree, but a second plant can increase set & yield.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary: Eat fresh; makes stand-out jams, jellies, preserves, and beverages (traditional use).
- Ornamental: Evergreen sheen + golden fruit + rounded habit = four-season appeal.
- Wildlife: Pollinator-friendly—nectar-rich flowers attract bees for reliable fruit set.
- Small-Space Friendly: Hedge potential and container fruiting make it ideal for patios & courtyards.
- Coastal Tolerance: Handles light salt exposure better than many tropical fruits.
🍽️ Flavor Notes & Kitchen Inspiration
- Fresh: Scoop like an apricot; enjoy chilled for a perfumed, tangy sweet treat.
- Preserve: Classic pitomba jelly and bright curds—flavor holds beautifully.
- Beverages: Aromatic base for sparkling drinks and syrups (documented regional use).
🌍 Origin & Story
Native to Bahia, Brazil, where it’s known as pitomba-da-Bahia / uvalha do campo. Note: the name “pitomba” is shared with Talisia esculenta (a different species), so look for the botanical name Eugenia luschnathiana when shopping.
🧭 Where It Thrives (and what to expect through the seasons)
- Evergreen in FL & the Southeast: Holds leaves year-round; can thin foliage after cold snaps or before new flushes. Not a deciduous “winter-drop” stone fruit.
- Bloom & Fruit: Late spring to early summer bloom with fruit ripening May–July; occasional fall crop in warm years.
- Cold Notes: Protect young plants below 30°F; mature crowns may tolerate ~26–28°F with brief exposure.
🪴 Container & Indoor Growing
- Potting: Start in 3–7 gal, up-pot to 10–25 gal as it matures; ensure excellent drainage (add coarse sand/perlite).
- Light: Full sun outdoors; brightest window or greenhouse in winter.
- Watering: Keep evenly moist—never soggy; allow top 1 inch to dry between irrigations in containers.
- Pruning in Pots: Light structural prune in late winter/early spring to keep size and airflow.
🧑🌾 Best Practices for Planting & Care (GreenDreams-approved)
Where to Plant
- Full sun to bright partial sun; well-drained, slightly acidic soil.
- Avoid low, soggy spots; mounds or raised beds are ideal.
“High & Tight” Planting Method
- Dig a hole just wider than the pot and no deeper than the root ball.
- Set the crown slightly above grade; backfill firmly with native soil + compost.
- Water to settle; mulch 2–3 in deep—keep mulch off the trunk.
- Watch our fruit-tree planting video for a quick refresher (GreenDreams YouTube “High & Tight”).
Watering Schedule
- Daily, light water the first 1–2 weeks; then 2–3×/week for month 1; then deep weekly as roots establish (adjust for rain/heat).
- Containers: irrigate when the top 1 in is dry; ensure free drainage.
Feeding
- During the growing season, apply a balanced organic fertilizer and periodic compost top-dressing; trace minerals (e.g., azomite) and biochar can boost vigor.
Pruning & Training
- Late winter/early spring: thin crossing wood, tip-prune to a rounded 6–10 ft canopy for easy harvest & airflow. Avoid heavy summer cuts.
Cold Protection (FL & similar climates)
- Young plants: cover with frost cloth; move potted trees to protected sites for freezes.
- After cold: delay hard pruning until new buds show.
🌸 Landscape Uses & Aesthetic
- Specimen or Hedge: Dense foliage makes a shapely small tree or fruiting privacy hedge; can be maintained at 8–12 ft.
- Coastal & Courtyard Gardens: Tolerates light salt and reflected heat with adequate irrigation.
- Edible Ornament: Evergreen shine + gold fruit is a natural focal point.
🌼 Boosting Fruit Set
- Sun + Bees: Full sun and pollinator access are the #1 drivers.
- Companions: Plant bee-magnet herbs (basil, African blue basil) and groundcovers that conserve soil moisture.
- Pairing: A second Eugenia luschnathiana nearby may increase yield consistency in home gardens.
🛡️ Troubleshooting Guide (organic-first)
Leaf yellowing / thinning after cold or stress
- Common after chilly nights or before a growth flush; resume normal color with warmth & feeding.
Dieback on tips
- Often cultural (overwatering, poor drainage) or cold nip. Improve drainage, prune back to green wood in spring.
Sooty mold & scale
- Treat scale with horticultural oil; the mold disappears as insect pressure drops.
Anthracnose/leaf spot (humid summers)
- Airflow pruning, avoid overhead watering; copper-free biofungicides (e.g., Bacillusbased) as needed.
Poor fruit set
- Increase sun exposure, encourage pollinators, ensure steady moisture during bloom/fruit swell; consider a second plant.
⚠️ Cautions
- Not known as toxic, but seeds are hard—take care when processing.
- Young plants are freeze-tender; protect below 30°F.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal for:
- First-time tropical fruit growers in Zones 9–11
- Container gardeners (patios, balconies, courtyards)
- Collectors of rare/heritage Brazilian fruits
- Edible-ornamental landscapers wanting evergreen structure
❌ Not ideal for:
- Areas with frequent hard freezes (without protection)
- Growers seeking instant, heavy harvests (allow 3–4 seasons)
❓ FAQ (SEO-tuned)
How long until a 1-gallon Pitomba fruits?
Typically 3–4 years with good care; grafted stock can be quicker.
Will a small plant become a full tree?
Yes—this species matures ~20–25 ft, or keep 8–12 ft with annual pruning.
Can Pitomba grow in a pot long-term?
Yes. 7–10+ gal containers can support regular fruiting with sun, airflow, and steady moisture.
Is it really “apricot-flavored”?
That’s the classic description—sweet, aromatic, slightly tangy, reminiscent of apricot.
What’s the difference between Pitomba and “Pitomba” (Talisia)?
They’re unrelated fruits with a shared nickname. Look for the botanical name Eugenia luschnathiana.
🚚 Shipping & Transit Disclaimer (1-Gallon & 4-Inch)
If the size is 1-gallon or 4-inch, it ships best to Florida, the Southeastern US, and Texas. We ship UPS Ground on Mondays. Extreme heat/cold can stress live plants; buyer discretion advised in peak seasons. Northern/Western shipments may arrive stressed and need recovery time; smaller sizes dry out faster than larger pots. (We recommend upsizing when available.)
🛒 Your Pitomba Awaits
Ready to taste sun-gold fruit from your own garden? Add the 1-gallon Pitomba to your cart and start your tropical orchard today!
🏡 Local Pickup (Spring Hill, FL)
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
Come see what’s fresh! 🌱
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We don’t just sell plants—we design, build & restore edible ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🌾 Turn-key installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery (compost, mulch, biochar, soils)
- 🤝 Wholesale & large-scale regenerative solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise—starting with Pitomba!
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.
