Tibouchina multiflora (grandifolia) - Glory bush, Quaresmeira
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Randia formosa - Blackberry Jam Fruit Tree with Flowers and Ripe Fruit
That's Randia formosa - the Blackberry Jam Fruit Tree. At first, it just looks like a cute little gardenia-type shrub. Glossy leaves, sweet white flowers. Nice enough. But then the fruit shows up… and you crack one open and go, “Wait - this tastes like jam?!”
And not just any jam - like real, fresh blackberry jam. No sugar, no cooking. Just soft black pulp inside this golden little fruit. It's weirdly satisfying. One of those things you make everyone taste just to see their face.
What's even cooler is how easy it is. This thing starts blooming and fruiting when it's barely 2 feet tall. You can grow it in a pot on your porch, or even inside if it gets enough light. And while most of your other plants take the winter off, this one keeps going - flowers, fruit, the whole show.
If you've got a spot with filtered light and a little curiosity, it's absolutely worth a try. Honestly, it's just… fun.
This rare South American evergreen shrub checks all the boxes: fragrant, compact, easy, and edible.
✅ Grows in pots ✅ Indoors ✅ Small yards
Randia formosa, also known as Blackberry Jam Fruit or Jasmin de Rosa, is a compact tropical shrub that produces fragrant white flowers and small yellow fruits filled with soft, black pulp that tastes remarkably like blackberry jam. It belongs to the Rubiaceae family, the same as Gardenia and Coffea.
The pulp inside the fruit tastes just like fresh blackberry jam - sweet, tangy, and rich. It is edible fresh, without any processing or sweeteners, and is loved by both kids and adults.
In the ground, Randia formosa typically reaches 4 to 5 feet tall. In containers, it usually stays smaller, around 3 to 4 feet, making it perfect for small gardens, patios, or indoor growing.
Very quickly! This is one of the fastest fruiting tropicals. Plants begin to flower and produce fruit within two years from seed. Еstablished plants in 3 gallon containers may begin fruiting at just 2 feet tall.
No. It actually prefers filtered light or partial shade, especially in hot climates. Leaves tend to look healthier and greener when grown in dappled light.
Yes! Its compact size and shade tolerance make it an excellent choice for bright indoor spaces. Just be sure to provide good air circulation, high humidity if possible, and avoid cold drafts.
Mature plants can tolerate temperatures down to about 26F for short period of time, but young plants are more sensitive and should be protected from frost. It is best grown outdoors in USDA zones 9b and up or kept as a container plant that can be brought indoors in winter.
Randia formosa requires acidic, well-draining soil. Avoid alkaline soils, which may cause leaf chlorosis (yellowing with green veins).
Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. It is sensitive to overwatering, especially in cooler weather. During winter, reduce watering. Underwatering may cause sudden leaf drop - but the plant usually recovers quickly once watered again.
Yes. Use a slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants. Regular applications of micronutrients (especially iron and magnesium) help prevent chlorosis. Foliar sprays can also be helpful. Apply Sunshine C-Cibus Booster or Green Magic controlled release fertilizer to keep your plant happy: Blackberry Jam Fruit is a heavy feeder!
This plant can bloom and fruit for several months, often from summer through winter. It is known to bloom off-season, making it a fun and productive plant when others are dormant.
Yes, the white star-shaped tubular flowers have a light, sweet fragrance, similar to gardenias but less intense. The flowers open at night.
Yes. A single plant can set fruit on its own, although insect activity can improve fruit set.
The most common issue is chlorosis, which shows up as yellowing leaves with green veins - usually due to overwatering, poor drainage, or alkaline soil. It's fixable with acidification and micronutrients. The plant may also drop leaves suddenly if underwatered but tends to bounce back.
Yes. It is in the same plant family (Rubiaceae) as Gardenia and Coffee. That's why the flowers look similar and why it tolerates similar care needs.
Yes, due to its slow growth and branching habit, Randia formosa can be shaped into a miniature tree form and is quite attractive when trained.
Once established, it shows moderate drought tolerance. However, young plants need regular watering and are more vulnerable to drying out.
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Tea and Jam with the PeopleCats – A Tropical Afternoon Beneath the Randia
Meet the cats behind the jam! The tuxedo cat is none other than Google-the-cat - our beloved elder and one of the original cat-fathers of Top Tropicals PeopleCats.garden. At 18 years old, he’s still sharp, curious, and very much in charge. The orange fluffball? He represents the universal image of cat joy - and we’ve got a few real-life orange sunshine residents just like him.
Because they’re part of the garden. Our rescued PeopleCats live among the plants, nap under the mango trees, inspect new arrivals, and occasionally steal a sunspot meant for seedlings. They’re not mascots — they’re part of our team. Sharing their presence is like showing a part of the soul of our space.🐈
All our cats are real! We take lots of pictures and videos. And a few images are AI-generated illustrations inspired by our real PeopleCats.garden residents. While not literal photographs, they are creative interpretations that capture the spirit of our tropical home and its furry citizens.🐾
Mostly! The jam-making, tea-drinking, and greenhouse meetings are creative interpretations - but inspired by real personalities. We use AI scenes to bring their spirit to life. Real cats. Real plants. Imagined adventures.🐱
Cat Jim II is snacking on pepper seedlings
Musa coccinea, Scarlet Banana
Top Tropicals cats: Jacques, Macaron and Klaksa
Sclerochiton harveyanus - Mazabuka, Blue Lips
Mango Kent