Cherry of the Rio Grande Tree – Rare Tropical Tree
Shopify product description
Add something special to your edible garden with Cherry of the Rio Grande. This unusual fruit tree brings glossy foliage, delicate white flowers, and deep-colored fruit to your landscape. Its ripe cherries are a treat to enjoy straight from the garden or turn into a small batch of homemade preserves.
For gardeners building a varied food forest, it offers a different flavor and harvest season to explore alongside mangoes, avocados, and other tropical favorites. Shop The Island Gardeners for Palm Bay pickup near Melbourne, Florida, or nationwide shipping to eligible destinations.
Why grow it?
- A distinctive addition to a rare-fruit collection.
- Ornamental foliage and flowers alongside edible fruit.
- A candidate for a garden specimen, managed shrub, or large container.
- A spring-to-early-summer harvest to consider in your food forest plan.
Origin and other names
Native to Brazil, this plant is botanically known as Eugenia involucrata, in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Eugenia aggregata is an older name frequently used in nursery listings. Common names include Cherry of the Rio Grande and Rio Grande cherry. It is a different species from the temperate cherries sold in supermarkets.
Fruit, taste, and size
The fruit is typically about ¾–1 inch long, with an oblong shape and a persistent pointed calyx at the tip. As shown in our reference photographs, fruit progresses from green through red to deep purple at maturity. Its tender, juicy flesh has a cherry-like, sweet-tart character. Size and flavor vary between plants and growing conditions. Remove seeds before eating or processing.
Tree size and growth
Grow it as a small evergreen tree or train it as a shrub. Published mature heights vary: nursery references commonly give about 10–20 feet, while an older Florida Extension account describes trees reaching 20–25 feet. Allow room for the canopy and use selective pruning if you want a smaller plant. These are landscape estimates, not the height of the tree being shipped.
Planting and care
Choose full sun to light shade and soil that drains well while retaining some moisture. Water regularly during establishment and active growth, adjusting for rainfall and container drying. Avoid letting roots remain waterlogged. Feed according to the fertilizer label and your plant's needs. Light pruning can help maintain shape and access for picking.
In Palm Bay and Central Florida, protect young plants from frost. Established plants can tolerate brief cold better than young ones, but this is not a freeze-proof tree. In colder regions, a movable container and suitable winter protection may be needed. Shipping availability alone does not establish outdoor suitability for your climate.
Harvest season and your food forest
Florida harvest guide: April–June. Actual timing depends on weather, location, and plant maturity. Pick fully colored fruit gently and check the plant frequently as the crop ripens. Enjoy fresh, or prepare jam, jelly, and juice; surplus fruit can be frozen for later use.
Use our Harvest Calendar and My Food Forest tools to compare expected seasons, see overlaps, and plan a more varied garden. Record your own picking dates to make the calendar more useful for your location. Scan the Harvest Calendar QR on the product graphic to explore the tool.
Plant at a glance
| Feature |
Details |
| Botanical name |
Eugenia involucrata |
| Older nursery name |
Eugenia aggregata |
| Origin |
Brazil |
| Family |
Myrtaceae |
| Fruit |
Oblong; approximately ¾–1 inch long |
| Eating quality |
Juicy, tender, sweet-tart, cherry-like |
| Florida harvest guide |
April–June; timing varies |
| Habit |
Evergreen shrub or small tree; prune to manage size |
| Light |
Full sun to light shade |
| Water and drainage |
Regular moisture with good drainage |
| Cold care |
Protect young plants from frost |
| Availability |
Select from current size and stock options |
Frequently asked questions
Is this a regular cherry tree?
It belongs to Eugenia in the myrtle family, rather than the Prunus genus of temperate cherries. It is grown for its own fruit and ornamental qualities.
When will my tree produce?
It depends on propagation method, age, and conditions. Seed-grown plants may take several years; an older Florida Extension account gives approximately 4–5 years. Fruit on arrival or within a fixed period is not guaranteed.
Can it grow in a container?
Yes, with a sufficiently large container, good drainage, and ongoing water and pruning care. Move it to protection when local winter conditions require it.
What size will I receive?
Check the selected variant for current pot size and tree specifications. Fruit photos illustrate the species and do not show the actual nursery plant being shipped.
Can I pick up locally or have it shipped?
Palm Bay pickup is available near Melbourne, Florida. Nationwide shipping is offered to eligible destinations, subject to plant-entry restrictions, selected tree size, weather, and checkout availability.
Grow something a little different
Choose an available Cherry of the Rio Grande Tree and add a new harvest to your garden with TheIslandGardeners.com.
