Randia formosa - Blackberry Jam Fruit Tree with Flowers and Ripe Fruit

You know how some plants just surprise you?

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 – Blackberry Jam Fruit Tree – FAQ

What is Randia formosa?

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.

Why gardeners love Randia

• Delicious jam-flavored fruit – no sugar needed.
• Compact grower – perfect for patios and indoor spaces.
• Fast results – blooms and fruits within 1–1.5 years.
• Big yield in a small pot – 25–30 fruits at once!
• Fall–Winter performer – keeps going when others stop.
• Kid favorite – fun to grow, fun to eat.

What does the fruit taste like?

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.

How big does the plant get?

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.

How soon will it fruit?

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.

Does it need full sun?

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.

Can I grow Randia formosa indoors?

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.

How cold-hardy is it?

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.

What kind of soil does it need?

Randia formosa requires acidic, well-draining soil. Avoid alkaline soils, which may cause leaf chlorosis (yellowing with green veins).

How often should I water it?

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.

What fertilizer does it need?

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!

When does it flower and fruit?

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.

Are the flowers fragrant?

Yes, the white star-shaped tubular flowers have a light, sweet fragrance, similar to gardenias but less intense. The flowers open at night.

Is it self-pollinating?

Yes. A single plant can set fruit on its own, although insect activity can improve fruit set.

Are there any common problems?

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.

Is this plant related to Gardenia?

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.

Can it be used for bonsai or miniature tree styling?

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.

Is it drought-tolerant?

Once established, it shows moderate drought tolerance. However, young plants need regular watering and are more vulnerable to drying out.

Read Garden Blog about Blackberry Jam Fruit

Get your Blackberry Jam Fruit

Ten steps to Happy Gardening in 2023

Beginning of the year checklist

To assist our customers in creating a happy and enjoyable gardening experience this year, we consulted with our horticulturist to compile a list of ten recommended items. Here are the results...

1. A favorite. Get yourself a favorite small flowering plant that is compact, manageable, and easy. Such as Ground Orchid. Keep it in a pot or plant in the ground by the entryway where it can be seen often and enjoyed.
2. A fruit of your labor. You need at least one (or one more) fruit tree for your garden, or for container culture if you live in colder climate. Growing and especially harvesting tropical fruit will make you happy. The Winner of the last year was Cherry Lolita - an easy, compact fruit tree that can produce almost year around. Some fruit trees will fruit right away!
3. Be exclusive. A rare plant is a must for every gardener. It can be a useful gem such as Noni Tree or an unusual-looking like a Bat Lily - Tacca. Show your friends and neighbors something different they have never seen!
4. Make it cool. Finally plant that shade tree by your driveway. Yes it takes time to grow, but the sooner you plant it, the sooner you get that shade! There are some fast growing species, some only take a couple of years to the mature size.
5. Beauty. If you have an ugly fence or unwanted view in your yard, cover it with a flowering vine. Look at the beauty every day and make your life better. Replace a boring standard hedge with colorful flowering shrubs that will make you smile.
6. Scent. Add some fragrant plants to your landscape and inhale their healing magic.
7. Tropical. For a shady corner, select a showy tropical with lush foliage such as Philodendron or Monstera, or all time favorite Banana. Get a feel of tropics.
8. Happiness of giving. Buy a gift plant for someone you care about but don't know how to thank them. Live plant is the best expression of love and gratitude. If you are unsure what plant to pick, ask our Team or simply buy a Gift Certificate that will never expire - let them chose the plant they like.
9. Food for all. A set of quality liquid fertilizers is a must - try Sunshine Boosters that can be used year around. They will make your plants healthy, strong, fast growing, cold hardy and disease-resistant. You can choose formulas for different plant types from our selection, or simply buy online a Nutrition Kit of 8 bottles that will cover all your needs and save you 50% on fertilizer cost!
10. Share. Subscribe your friend to TopTropicals Newsletter so they can get a weekly Piece of Tropics in their mailbox. Cool Cat Photos come as a bonus!

Make sure to always have on hand at least 2 main formulas of Sunshine Boosters - Robusta for vegetative growth, and C-Cibus that will satisfy plant needs for both fruit production and profuse flowering

Horned Holly - a cool bonsai plant

By Onika Amell, tropical plant specialist

Q: I live in Chickasaw, Alabama. I am a beginner bonsai grower. I received a lovely little Horned Holly as a birthday present and I want to know if it is a suitable plant to bonsai?

A: The Ilex cornuta - Horned Holly, or Chinese Holly, is very popular as a bonsai species. It is loved for its very beautiful and distinctive rectangular foliage and for its small, white flowers which give way to large, red berries. The berries are larger than those of the European Holly. The leaves are rectangular and unusually shaped with three large spines at the apex. This bonsai will take both sun and shade, but semi-shade is preferred in midsummer. If indoors, give it plenty of bright light. When kept outdoors, your Horned Holly bonsai will need some frost protection and should be sheltered from strong or cold winds. It will need a fair amount of water and should not be allowed to completely dry out. Watering during the heat of summer is especially important, as well as in spring right before the fruit production, and should be reduced during winter. This species will also appreciate regular misting of the foliage. Repot this bonsai every 1 to 2 years in early spring, using bonsai soil - TopTropicals Adenium Soilless Mix. Fertilize the holly every two weeks throughout the growing season using either a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. We recommend for this purpose Tropical Greenhouse Plus - Plant Booster. Pruning should be done in early spring.
Horned Holly is also very popular as a hedge plant as it grows dense and compact. It will grow to between 3 and 5 feet tall and will spread to an equal distance, giving it a round, shrubby form. It is cold hardy! Zones 6 through 9. It will tolerate a wide variety of soils as long as it is well-drained. It likes sun or part shade. It is heat and drought tolerant once established, and are often used in xeriscaping. Its branches produce dark olive-green foliage that is often cut for indoor decorations during the holidays.

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