Barbados Acerola Cherry Tree

Light Needs

Full Sun

(At Least 6 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

10-12 Feet

Mature Spread

10-15 Feet

Growing Zones

9 to 11

Barbados ‘Acerola’ Cherry Tree brings tropical flavor and glossy, evergreen polish to patios and warm-zone gardens. Pink-lavender blossoms give way to clusters of scarlet fruit with a bright, sweet-tart punch—excellent for fresh eating, smoothies, jam, or juice. Compact and fast to bear, it’s a great choice when you want beauty and harvest in a single plant.

Native to the Caribbean and Central America, this small tree/large shrub stays tidy and ornamental year-round. In frost-free areas it can fruit more than once a season; in cooler zones it thrives in a container you can roll inside for winter protection.

Barbados ‘Acerola’ Cherry Tree Care

Plant in full sun (6–8+ hours) and well-drained soil amended with compost; a slightly acidic to neutral pH is ideal. Water deeply to establish, then keep soil evenly moist during bloom and fruit set—let the top inch dry between waterings in containers. Feed from spring through midsummer with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer for fruiting plants or citrus.

Prune lightly after harvest to shape and open the canopy; remove any dead or crossing wood. Protect from frost and cold winds (hardy roughly in USDA Zones 9–11). Indoors overwintering: give bright light, reduce watering, and resume feeding as days lengthen.

Barbados ‘Acerola’ Cherry Tree Spacing

Expect about 6–12 ft tall and 6–10 ft wide in the ground (smaller in pots). For a single specimen, allow 8–10 ft of open space so light reaches all sides. If planting a pair for boosted yields, set 8–12 ft on center.

Keep 3–4 ft from fences or paths for airflow and easy picking. In containers, start with a sturdy 18–24"+ pot with excellent drainage; place planters 2–3 ft apart.

Why Grow Barbados ‘Acerola’ Cherry Tree?

• Sweet-tart cherries with exceptionally high vitamin C, often fruiting multiple times in warm climates

• Compact, evergreen habit that suits small yards and large containers

• Showy pink-lavender flowers that draw pollinators

• Fast to bear and easy to maintain with light, post-harvest pruning

• Generally self-fruitful; a second plant can increase production

A small tree with big payoff—plant Barbados ‘Acerola’ Cherry for glossy good looks and bowls of homegrown cherries that taste like sunshine.