Everbearing Mulberry (Morus alba ‘Everbearing’)
Everbearing mulberry is the kind of fruit tree that feels like it cheats. One day it’s a leafy sapling, and not long after, it’s handing you handfuls of sweet, dark berries that stain your fingers like proof. The leaves come on fast, the branches push hard, and when it’s happy, it can fruit in generous waves rather than giving you a single short window.
In Florida planting zone 9, mulberries can be surprisingly easy: full sun, decent drainage, and a little space to breathe. The big decision is placement. Fruit drops happen, and they’re messy in the best way—so it’s smart to keep the tree away from patios, white sidewalks, and anything you’d rather not scrub.
Mulberry also brings a “food forest” advantage: it’s excellent bird habitat and an early source of fruit calories for wildlife. If your goal is more harvest for you, netting and timely picking can make the difference. If your goal is ecosystem support, this is a tree that earns its keep.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Morus alba ‘Everbearing’ |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Moraceae (Mulberry/fig family) |
| Common Name(s): | Everbearing Mulberry, White Mulberry (species) |
| Size: | Commonly 15–30+ ft tall and wide if unpruned; can be maintained 8–15 ft with regular pruning |
| Plant Type: | Deciduous fruit tree (perennial) |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Species native to Asia; widely cultivated and naturalized in many regions |
| Native to: | Asia (species origin); cultivar is a domesticated selection |
| Planted range in the USA: | Widely grown across the Southeast and beyond; commonly cultivated in warmer states and often naturalized |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened or endangered |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in late winter to spring for fastest establishment; allow roots to settle before peak summer heat |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun (best fruiting) to partial shade |
| Soil Type: | Adaptable; prefers well-drained loam but tolerates sandy soils and a wide range of conditions |
| Soil pH: | About 5.5 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; water regularly during establishment, then deep water during dry spells for best fruit fill |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Low to moderate; compost plus a balanced fertilizer in spring can boost growth (avoid excessive nitrogen that favors leaves over fruit). |
| Pruning Requirements: | Prune in dormancy (late winter) to control size and improve structure; summer tip-pruning can keep it harvestable |
| Growth Rate: | Fast; commonly 3–6+ ft per year in warm climates with moisture and fertility |
| Companion Planting: | Pairs well with nitrogen-fixers, living mulches, and pollinator plants that keep soil covered and reduce weeds beneath the canopy |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate once established; fruiting improves with consistent moisture |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | High; established trees commonly tolerate down to about -20°F (-29°C) (new growth can be damaged by late frosts) |
| Heat Tolerance: | Excellent; commonly performs well up to about 105°F (40°C) with adequate water |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; strong branching, but young trees benefit from wind protection until established |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low to moderate; avoid direct coastal salt spray |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Commonly grown in 4–9 (often succeeds in warm microclimates beyond this with irrigation) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Aggregate fruit (mulberry “berries”) produced along stems |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Typically late spring through summer in Florida (often in waves). Harvest when fruits are fully colored, soft, and release easily with a gentle pull |
| Fruit Description: | Sweet, juicy fruits that range from red to deep purple/black depending on ripeness; can be eaten fresh or used in jams, syrups, and baking |
| Edible Plant: | Yes |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit (primary); young leaves are used in some cuisines (research preparation and safety) |
| Medicinal: | Traditional uses exist for fruit and leaves; not a substitute for medical care (research quality and safety carefully) |
| Flower Color: | Greenish, very small and not showy |
| Flower Shape: | Catkin-like clusters |
| Fragrance: | None to very mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | February – April (varies by winter warmth) |
| Bloom Duration: | Short; flowers transition quickly into developing fruit |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Primarily wind-pollinated; many mulberries are self-fruitful, but pollination details vary by tree/selection |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Birds (strongly), squirrels, and other wildlife drawn to ripe fruit; beneficial insects may use the canopy as habitat |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Mostly wind-pollinated; insects may visit but are not the primary pollinators |
| Problematic Pest: | Can see aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, mites, and occasional borers; fruit often draws wildlife before you harvest. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous; unripe fruit and milky sap may cause stomach upset in some people |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not typically toxic; the sap can be mildly irritating to sensitive skin—wash after pruning if needed |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not typically toxic; prevent pets from overeating fallen fruit to avoid digestive upset |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Powdery mildew, leaf spot, canker/dieback, and root rot in poorly drained sites—support airflow, sanitation, and good drainage |
Companion Planting
For Morus alba ‘Everbearing’ (Everbearing Mulberry), companions should help hold moisture, suppress weeds, and support beneficial insects—without creating a crowded, humid trunk base. The goal is a clean mulch ring at the tree, then a living system around the dripline.
Florida Native: Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Low-growing nitrogen-fixer; living mulch that reduces weeds and feeds soil life.
Use: Let it fill around the dripline (not touching the trunk) to build soil over time.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Tough groundcover that supports pollinators and reduces erosion and soil splash.
Use: Great for paths and edges under/near the canopy; keep a clear ring at the trunk.
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Adds biodiversity and wildlife value; can help diversify habitat near the orchard edge.
Use: Plant on the perimeter of the mulberry’s space where it won’t crowd or shade the trunk zone.
Florida Friendly: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixer; excellent chop-and-drop mulch material; supports beneficial insects when flowering.
Use: Plant a few feet outside the trunk zone and prune for mulch as the season progresses.
Florida Friendly: Comfrey (Symphytum spp.)
Zone Range: 4–9 (often grown as a perennial where adapted)
Benefits: Deep-rooted “dynamic accumulator” used for chop-and-drop biomass; excellent living mulch in orchard systems.
Use: Plant outside the trunk ring; cut leaves several times a year and lay them as mulch.
Florida Friendly: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Clumping border plant that helps define beds and supplies mulch material; tolerates heat well.
Use: Plant as a tidy border line near the dripline—keep it spaced so airflow stays good.
Keep a wide mulch ring at the trunk (no competing stems right against bark). Place living mulches and nitrogen-fixers around the dripline, not in the “trunk collar” zone. If birds are outcompeting you for fruit, harvest daily as berries soften and color, and consider netting during peak ripening.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for Florida horticulture, pruning, irrigation, and IPM concepts.
- UF/IFAS Extension (Solutions for Your Life) — Florida home landscape guidance and seasonal best practices.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise, sustainable landscape recommendations.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone framework for cold-risk planning and plant suitability.
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — Morus alba — baseline plant profile information (habit, site preferences, general notes).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Morus alba — general species overview and landscape considerations.