Mountain Grape Plant Care

Mountain Grape (Coccoloba pubescens) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Coccoloba genus. Mountain Grape is native to coastal regions of the Caribbean: on Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Dominica, Hispaniola, Martinique, Montserrat, and Puerto Rico. Mountain Grape is also known as Pubescent Pigeonwood.

Mountain Grape displays a bushy shrub, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Mountain Grape produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mountain Grape every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Mountain Grape thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Coccoloba pubescens tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Mountain Grape prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Grape to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mountain Grape every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mountain Grape is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Mountain Grape can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Mountain Grape while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Mountain Grape is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Mountain Grape can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Mountain Grape is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Mountain Grape grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Mountain Grape is native to coastal regions of the Caribbean: on Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Dominica, Hispaniola, Martinique, Montserrat, and Puerto Rico. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Grape as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.