Myrciaria racemosa Plant Care

Myrciaria racemosa M.L.Kawas.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant features dark green, glossy leaves that have a striking coppery-red hue on the undersides. Originating from tropical regions of South America, Myrciaria racemosa is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage coloration and attractive growth habit.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Myrciaria racemosa?

Plant Myrciaria racemosa in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Myrciaria racemosa Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Myrciaria racemosa?

Myrciaria racemosa (Myrciaria racemosa) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Myrciaria genus. Myrciaria racemosa is native to Ecuador and was first described in 2011.

Myrciaria racemosa displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Myrciaria racemosa produces small white or pink fragrant flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Myrciaria racemosa?

Water a young or newly planted Myrciaria racemosa every 7–10 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Myrciaria racemosa Need?

Myrciaria racemosa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Myrciaria racemosa Prefer?

Myrciaria racemosa tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Myrciaria racemosa prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Myrciaria racemosa?

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Myrciaria racemosa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Myrciaria racemosa?

Feed Myrciaria racemosa 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

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

Where Should You Plant a Myrciaria racemosa?

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

Myrciaria racemosa is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Myrciaria racemosa?

Myrciaria racemosa can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 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.

How Do You Prune a Myrciaria racemosa?

Prune Myrciaria racemosa 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.

How Do You Care for a Myrciaria racemosa in Winter?

Myrciaria racemosa is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Myrciaria racemosa?

Myrciaria racemosa can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to myrciaria alagoana plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Myrciaria racemosa Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Myrciaria racemosa, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Myrciaria racemosa?

Myrciaria racemosa is susceptible to fruit flies, caterpillars. 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Myrciaria racemosa Need?

Myrciaria racemosa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Myrciaria racemosa is native to Ecuador and was first described in 2011. In cooler regions, grow Myrciaria racemosa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10b – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Myrciaria racemosa is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Myrciaria genus — compare its care with other Myrciaria species on PlantoScan.

Myrciaria is part of the Myrtaceae plant family — browse all Myrtaceae genera and species.

Myrciaria racemosa thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Myrciaria Species

Other Myrciaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Myrciaria racemosa M.L.Kawas., family Myrtaceae (first published in Harvard Pap. Bot. 16: 163 (2011)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Myrciaria racemosa, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Myrciaria racemosa Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species