Red Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora)
Red Surinam Cherry—often called “pitanga”—is a glossy-leaved, tropical-looking shrub or small tree that earns its keep when it’s allowed to ripen fully. The fruit is small and ribbed like a tiny lantern, shifting from orange to deep red as it sweetens. Picked at peak color, it can be bright, fruity, and pleasantly tart; picked early, it can taste sharp and resinous.
The plant itself is a showpiece: evergreen foliage, tidy branching, and small white flowers that bring in pollinators. In warm climates it can fruit more than once in a year, and it’s commonly clipped into hedges or grown as an ornamental edible.
Note for Florida gardeners: Surinam cherry is widely planted, but UF/IFAS lists it as invasive and not recommended for Florida landscapes. Consider native alternatives when possible, or keep it strictly managed (no escapees, no dumping yard waste, and remove volunteer seedlings).
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: | Eugenia uniflora |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Myrtaceae (Myrtle family) |
| Common Name(s): | Surinam Cherry, Pitanga, Brazilian Cherry |
| Size: | Typically 7–15 ft tall in landscapes; can reach 25 ft if unpruned and in ideal conditions |
| Plant Type: | Evergreen shrub/small tree (perennial) |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | South America; widely cultivated in warm regions worldwide |
| Native to: | South America (commonly associated with Brazil/Uruguay region; naturalized elsewhere) |
| Planted range in the USA: | Primarily Florida and other warm/subtropical areas; also grown in containers in cooler zones |
| Florida Native / Friendly / Invasive: | Not Florida native; listed by UF/IFAS as invasive and not recommended in Florida landscapes |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened or endangered |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in spring through early fall so roots establish before cold snaps; avoid planting into droughty heat without irrigation |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun to partial shade (best flowering/fruiting in higher sun) |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained soil; adaptable once established (avoid chronically waterlogged sites) |
| Soil pH: | 5.5 to 7.5 (slightly acidic to near neutral is typically fine) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; water regularly during establishment, then deep water during extended dry periods |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Moderate; a balanced fertilizer can be used during active growth (especially in sandy soils), and compost/mulch helps long-term health. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Tolerates pruning well; prune after fruiting to shape, manage size, and improve airflow |
| Growth Rate: | Medium; commonly 1–2 ft per year once established (varies with pruning, water, and fertility) |
| Companion Planting: | Pairs well with groundcovers and nitrogen-fixers that reduce weeds and build soil—keep a clear mulch ring at the trunk |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate once established; fruiting and leaf quality improve with consistent moisture |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Low to moderate; mature plants may tolerate brief dips to 22–28°F (-6 to -2°C). Young plants need protection |
| Heat Tolerance: | Excellent; performs well through Florida summer heat (upper limit rarely specified—commonly handles 90–100°F / 32–38°C with moisture) |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; benefits from windbreaks in exposed sites to reduce leaf tear and fruit drop |
| Salt Tolerance: | Poor to low; avoid direct coastal exposure and salt spray |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | 9B–11 (best as a perennial edible shrub/tree in warm Florida microclimates) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Ribbed, cherry-like fruit (botanically a berry-like fruit with a single seed) |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Warm season; often late spring through summer, with potential repeat fruiting depending on weather and pruning |
| Fruit Description: | Sweet-tart when fully ripe; flavor varies by plant and ripeness—best picked deep red and slightly soft |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit) |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit flesh (do not consume the seed) |
| Medicinal: | Not a primary medicinal plant; occasionally referenced in traditional uses, but mainly grown for fruit and ornamental value |
| Flower Color: | White |
| Flower Shape: | Small, delicate flowers with prominent stamens |
| Fragrance: | Light to mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Spring (can vary in warm climates) |
| Bloom Duration: | Several weeks, often in waves |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Typically self-fertile; bees and other insects improve pollination and fruit set |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees and beneficial insects during bloom; birds and other wildlife may target ripe fruit |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and other small pollinators |
| Problematic Pest: | Can be affected by scale insects and caterpillars; fruit can attract wildlife pressure when ripening. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous; do not eat the seed |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; underripe fruit may cause stomach upset for some people |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not typically toxic; as with many fruits, large quantities of unripe fruit may upset digestion |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Fungal leaf spots and fruit rots can occur in humid conditions—prioritize airflow, sanitation, and well-drained soil |
Companion Planting
For Eugenia uniflora (Red Surinam Cherry), the best companions are plants that help build soil, protect moisture, and support pollinators—without competing hard at the trunk. Keep a clear mulch ring around the base and place companions just outside that ring.
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Supports birds and beneficial insects; adds seasonal color and biodiversity.
Use: Plant as a nearby shrub layer (not crowding the cherry) to create a wildlife-friendly edge.
Florida Native: Wild Coffee (Psychotria nervosa)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Understory structure and habitat value; performs well in dappled light.
Use: Place where the cherry casts partial shade, leaving space for airflow.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Living mulch that suppresses weeds and supports pollinators with frequent blooms.
Use: Let it fill pathways and edges around the planting (keep the trunk area clear).
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing groundcover; reduces weeds and improves soil over time.
Use: Plant outside the mulch ring as a tidy living groundcover beneath and around the canopy line.
Florida Friendly: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixer and high-biomass “chop-and-drop” plant; helps build mulch quickly.
Use: Use as a temporary support plant nearby; prune frequently so it doesn’t shade the cherry.
Florida Friendly: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Fast groundcover for weed suppression and moisture retention; edible tubers with good management.
Use: Use as a seasonal living mulch on sunny edges—keep vines from climbing into the shrub.
Maintain a trunk “no-competition zone” (mulch ring) and place companions just beyond it. Group plants by water needs, prune for airflow, and remove volunteers/seedlings to keep this species from spreading where it’s not wanted.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS EDIS — “Eugenia uniflora: Surinam Cherry” (FP202) — Florida-focused profile (growth habit, landscape use, and notes on invasiveness).
- UF/IFAS — Invasive Plant Assessment — framework and references supporting Florida invasive plant recommendations.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise, sustainable landscape best practices for Florida yards.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework used for planting suitability.
- Top Tropicals — Surinam Cherry listing — practical nursery note used for cold-hardiness temperature ranges (real-world performance varies).