Botanical name: Mangifera indica Also known as: Mango
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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Groundhog said long winter… and it sure felt like it. But now it is
finally over, and balconies and patios are waking up again.
Easter is here, and with it comes that fresh start feeling - time to open
the doors, bring plants back out, and start growing.
We made it through the cold. For northern gardeners, that is every year;
for borderline zones, it is a reminder that freezes happen. That is exactly
why
growing in pots makes sense - you stay flexible.
Container growing is not just about pots - it is about choosing the right
plants. The best options stay manageable, produce well, and handle being
moved.
Let's look at what works. Start with plants that naturally stay compact and
adapt well to containers. These are the ones that won’t outgrow your
space and will reward you quickly. These are proven performers in containers
-
compact, productive, and easy to manage:
Botanical name: Randia formosa, Mussaenda formosa, Randia mussaenda, Rosenbergiodendron formosum Also known as: Blackberry Jam Fruit, Jasmin de rosa
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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Fig Tree Plant Facts
Botanical name: Ficus carica Also known as: Fig Tree, Brevo
USDA Zone: 7 - 10
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Simple rule: if it stays compact and handles pruning, it
works in a container.
Skip the egg hunt this year - go on a plant hunt instead.
Start with one or two plants this Easter - not ten. Get them established,
learn how they grow, and then expand.
Container basics (keep it simple):
Pot size: start with 3–7 gallon, upgrade as
plant grows
Soil: fast-draining mix (never heavy garden soil)
Water: soak well, then let top inch dry
Feeding: consistent light feeding works better than
heavy doses
Sun: most tropicals want full sun (6+ hours)
🐣 Browse our Easter Container Collection
Randia formosa - Blackberry Jam Fruit
Bunchosia argentea - Peanut Butter Fruit
Peanut Butter Fruit Tree Plant Facts
Botanical name: Bunchosia argentea, Bunchosia armeniaca Also known as: Peanut Butter Fruit Tree, Ciruela Del Monte
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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Myrciaria cauliflora - Jaboticaba
Jaboticaba Plant Facts
Botanical name: Myrciaria cauliflora, Plinia cauliflora, Eugenia cauliflora Also known as: Jaboticaba, Duhat
Botanical name: Eugenia brasiliensis, Eugenia dombeyi Also known as: Grumichama, Brazilian Cherry
USDA Zone: 9 - 11
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Date: 2 Mar 2026
Eugenia Cherries 🍒
By Tatiana Anderson, Horticulture Expert at Top
Tropicals with Smokey & Sunshine help
Eugenia brasiliensis - Grumichama fruit on the branch
Growing Eugenia Cherries (Cherry of the Rio Grande & Grumichama)
Cherry of the Rio Grande and Grumichama are compact, adaptable tropical
fruit trees well suited to Southern landscapes. While forgiving, they
perform
best when planted correctly from the beginning.
Site and Planting
Drainage is essential. Avoid low areas where water collects. Plant on
a slight mound if soil is heavy or clay-like.
Choose full sun for best flowering and fruit production. Partial shade
is tolerated.
A south or southeast exposure near a wall improves cold resilience and
reduces wind stress.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the container, but no deeper than the root
ball.
Set the tree level with surrounding soil. Do not bury the trunk.
Water and Feeding
Water regularly during the first few months while roots establish.
Once established, trees tolerate short dry periods but fruit best with
moderate, consistent moisture.
Established Cherry of the Rio Grande can tolerate brief drops into the
low 20s.
Established Grumichama tolerates temperatures into the upper 20s.
Harvest and Production
Cherry of the Rio Grande fruits from late spring into summer. Pick
when fully dark and slightly soft.
Grumichama ripens quickly, often within four weeks after flowering.
Pick when glossy and deep purple-black.
Both trees often begin fruiting within 2–3 years and increase
production steadily with maturity.
Growing in Containers
Use at least a 10–20 gallon pot for long-term growth.
Ensure multiple drainage holes.
Use a high-quality, well-draining container mix. Avoid heavy garden
soil. Top Tropicals Abundance soil-less mix is specially formulated for pot
growing
Place in full sun for best fruiting.
Water deeply, then allow the top layer to dry slightly before watering
again.
Move containers to a protected area during hard freezes.
Prune lightly to maintain shape and airflow.
Common Mistakes
Planting in poorly drained soil.
Overwatering and keeping soil constantly saturated.
Over-fertilizing with excessive nitrogen.
Planting too deep and burying the trunk.
Expecting heavy crops immediately instead of allowing time for
maturity.
Which one tastes better – Cherry of the Rio Grande or
Grumichama?
Cherry of the Rio Grande has a deeper, classic “sweet cherry”
flavor with slight richness. Grumichama is softer, juicier, and often
described as cherry with hints of grape and plum. Both are excellent fresh;
Grumichama is especially popular for jam.
Which tree produces more fruit?
Grumichama typically produces heavier crops once mature and can carry
hundreds of fruits in a season. Cherry of the Rio Grande produces
consistently but
in slightly smaller volumes.
Do birds take all the fruit?
Birds are attracted to both trees, especially Grumichama. Netting during
peak ripening or harvesting promptly usually solves the issue.
Are these true "tropical" trees or subtropical?
They are best described as subtropical tropicals. Unlike ultra-tender
tropical fruits, Eugenia cherries tolerate occasional frost once
established,
making them more reliable in Southern landscapes.
Do they drop fruit messily?
Fruit will fall if overripe, but the trees are compact and manageable.
Regular harvesting prevents ground drop and keeps the area clean.
Can they be used for hedging or screening?
Yes. Their dense evergreen foliage and upright growth make them suitable
for edible hedges or privacy screens while still producing fruit.
Choosing between them is not about survival — both have proven
resilient. It is about flavor preference, crop volume, and how you want to
use
the fruit in your kitchen and landscape.
Eugenia brasiliensis - Grumichama fruit close up
Eugenia aggregata (cv. Calycina), Cherry of the Rio Grande
Eugenias have earned a spot in many Southern gardens because they’re
easy, dependable, and surprisingly versatile. These small trees and shrubs
grow well in the ground or in containers, and they don’t waste time
before setting fruit.
15% Off
Eugenias – Limited Time
Use code EUGENIA15 at checkout.
Excluding S/H. Offer expires 08/28/2025
👍 Popular
Choices:
What Makes Eugenia Cherries
Stand Out
Start producing fruit in just a couple of years
Compact size — easy to keep 6–12 ft tall, smaller in
pots
Low-care — tolerant of most soils and resistant to common
pests
Strong in hot weather, yet can handle a light frost down to the mid-20s
°F
Plenty of fruit for people and birds alike
Grumichama Tree in Bloom – Eugenia brasiliensis
Growing & Care
Outdoors
Best in USDA Zones 9–11
Sun or partial shade; more sun usually means sweeter fruit
Plant in well-drained soil; avoid heavy, wet spots
Withstands summer heat and humidity, and can take a light freeze
Container / Indoor
Do well in 5–10 gallon pots on patios or balconies
Need bright light indoors — a sunny window or grow lights
Can flower and fruit in containers if kept warm and well lit
In cooler zones, bring plants indoors for winter and back out in
spring
General Care
Water: Keep soil evenly moist; drought-tolerant once established but
best yields with regular watering
Soil: Use good potting mix - LINK TO SOIL
Fertilizer: Balanced slow-release LINKL TO FERTILIZER Sunshine
Boosters
Pruning: Light trimming keeps plants bushy and productive
Pollination: Self-fertile; one plant will fruit on its own
Which jaboticaba to grow: a quick guide to the most popular varieties
Myrciaria cauliflora Jaboticaba tree
Myrciaria cauliflora Jaboticaba fruit
Myrciaria cauliflora Jaboticaba fruit
🍇Which jaboticaba to grow: a quick guide to the most popular varieties
Jaboticabas are among the most unusual fruit trees in the world. Native to Brazil, they produce grape-like fruit directly on the trunk and branches. Most varieties have sweet pulp, can fruit multiple times per year, and grow well in containers.
Despite their tropical appearance, jaboticabas are surprisingly cold hardy. During our historic Florida freeze, established trees handled 25F for two nights and nearly two weeks of unusual cold without protection. Many varieties can tolerate temperatures into the 20s, making them one of the more cold-hardy tropical fruit trees for Florida.
From fast-fruiting dwarfs to giant-fruited collectors' varieties, each jaboticaba offers something a little different. Here's a practical guide to some of the most popular selections.
For beginners: Precoce Dwarf (Red Scarlet)
One of the fastest-fruiting jaboticabas, often producing in 3-5 years. Compact, container-friendly, ideal for gardeners who want fruit sooner.
• Fruits young • Naturally compact • Excellent container plant • Good for cooler climates where winter protection is needed
The classic choice: Sabara
The classic Brazilian jaboticaba and still the most widely grown variety. Small, exceptionally sweet fruit with thin skin and juicy pulp. Can produce several crops per year.
• Traditional jaboticaba flavor • Thin-skinned fruit • Sweet and juicy • Excellent for bonsai and containers • One of Brazil's most popular wine varieties
For large fruit: Grimal
Often called Giant Jaboticaba, with much larger fruit than most varieties. Thick juicy pulp, small seeds, heavy production.
• Larger fruit • Thick pulp • Heavy producer • Excellent fresh eating quality
For exceptional flavor: ESALQ
Known for large, exceptionally sweet fruit and relatively early production.
• Outstanding sweetness • Large fruit • Fruits in about 4-5 years • Collector favorite
For beauty and productivity: Branca Vinho
One of the most ornamental jaboticabas, with attractive foliage, upright growth, and excellent white-fleshed fruit. Fruits young and often several times per year.
• Beautiful foliage and trunk • White-fleshed fruit • Excellent flavor • Multiple crops per year • Good cold tolerance
For collectors: Blue Jaboticaba
A close jaboticaba relative (Myrciaria vexator) producing blue-purple fruit with a sweet grape-like flavor. Often grown as much for its beauty as its fruit.
• Unique blue fruit • Sweet grape-like flavor • Ornamental tree • Rare and unusual
For faster growth: Volcano Red (La Vinotinto)
More vigorous and faster growing than traditional jaboticabas. Famous in Hawaii for Volcano Red wine.
• Faster growth • More vigorous tree • Good adaptability • Tolerates occasional waterlogging • Source of Hawaiian Volcano Red wine
👉 All jaboticabas share the same magical trait - flowers and fruit appearing directly on the trunk. The differences are in fruit size, growth rate, and how quickly you'll enjoy your first harvest. Jaboticabas are notoriously slow growing, and large fruiting-size trees can take many years to develop. Established specimens are hard to find and can save years of waiting. If you've been thinking about adding one to your garden, remember: the best time to plant a jaboticaba was years ago - the second-best time is today.
