Jaboticaba Plant Care

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) belongs to the Myrtaceae family within the Plinia genus. Jaboticaba is native to the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo in Brazil. Jaboticaba is also known as Brazilian Grape Tree.

Jaboticaba displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Jaboticaba produces small white flowers with a sweet fragrance.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Jaboticaba 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.

Jaboticaba thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Jaboticaba to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Jaboticaba 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 acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Jaboticaba 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.

Jaboticaba can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Jaboticaba 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.

Jaboticaba 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.

Jaboticaba can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to plinia asa-grayi plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Jaboticaba is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, fruit flies. 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.

Jaboticaba grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Jaboticaba is native to the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goiás and São Paulo in Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Jaboticaba as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.