Native & adapted

Ceylon gooseberry

Dovyalis hebecarpa

Also known as Ketembilla · Kitembilla · Tropical apricot

A thorny shrub with velvety maroon fruit that tastes tart and fruity, like a sour plum. Useful as an edible security hedge.

EdibleFruitingHedgeThornyEvergreen

Landscape layersHedging · Understory

Mature size

10–15 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b

Plant spacing

5–6 ft apart for a hedge

Frost

Damaged below about 28°F.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 10–11; damaged below about 28°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Mostly summer into fall.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Tolerates many soils if they drain; add compost.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Sunny boundary or fence line with some frost protection.

Cold hardiness

Cover in a hard freeze

No tested figure. The old Popenoe manual says it's hurt at temperatures well above 20°F and is more tender than its relative the kei apple, so cover it when a hard freeze is forecast and cover young plants every frost night.

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

Morton says it does fine in dry or moist climates, but Popenoe says it wants moisture in the air and soil and handles drought worse than kei apple. Full sun is OK with deep regular water; give it some afternoon shade in the hottest west-facing spots.

Sources:

growables.org , growables.com

Right plant, right place

Will Ceylon gooseberry grow at your Arizona property?

Sharp spines make it a strong barrier hedge. Keep it away from walkways.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun to afternoon shade.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate. Deep water once or twice a week in summer.

Fruit set

Pollination

Plants are usually male or female; a female needs a male nearby. Some hybrid selections fruit alone.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh when fully ripe, or made into jam, jelly and syrup.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Ceylon gooseberry thrive

1
Plant a male nearby or choose a self-fruitful hybrid.
2
Wear thick gloves when pruning.
3
Cover young plants on frost nights.
4
Prune after fruiting to keep the hedge dense.

Read the horticultural reference ↗