Native & adapted

Pitomba

Eugenia luschnathiana

Also known as Pitomba cherry · Brazilian cherry · Pitombeira

A slow Brazilian tree in the Surinam cherry family with bright orange-yellow fruit that is soft, juicy and lightly acidic, like a small apricot.

EdibleFruitingEvergreenContainer friendly

Landscape layersLower canopy

Mature size

10–20 ft tall and 10–15 ft wide

Climate fit

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

Plant spacing

10–12 ft from other trees

Frost

Tolerates light frost near 30°F; damaged by hard freezes.

Special categories

EDIBLE

Hardiness guidance

USDA 10–11; tolerates light frost near 30°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Summer.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Slightly acidic, rich, fast-draining soil; add soil sulfur.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

East-facing or filtered shade spot, sheltered from frost.

Cold hardiness

Cover in a hard freeze below 30°F

Sources range from about 30°F to the upper 20s for mature trees, while young plants need cover any frost night. Cover established trees when a hard freeze is forecast.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 30°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

Grown in full sun with regular water. Data on dry desert heat is thin, so an east-facing spot or filtered afternoon shade is the safer bet here.

Sources:

toptropicals.com , en.wikipedia.org

Right plant, right place

Will Pitomba grow at your Arizona property?

Slow growing and attractive as a small specimen tree or container plant.

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

Light

Sun exposure

Morning sun with afternoon shade from June through September, such as the east side of a house or under a taller nurse tree. Protect from frost on winter nights.

Water

Irrigation

Moderate and steady.

Fruit set

Pollination

Self-fertile.

Harvest

How to use it

Fresh, or in jams and drinks.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Pitomba thrive

1
Shade from afternoon sun.
2
Feed with an acid-forming fertilizer.
3
Cover on frost nights.
4
Keep soil evenly moist.

Read the horticultural reference ↗