Red mulberry (Morus rubra)
Care, watering, light and tips for Red mulberry on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Moraceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Indirect light
- Temperature: 15–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Red mulberry
Morus rubra, commonly known as Red Mulberry or American Red Mulberry, is a deciduous tree native to North America valued for its sweet fruits and dense foliage. It grows to a considerable size with a broad, rounded canopy, making it an excellent shade tree for large gardens and orchards. Its fruits, which ripen from red to dark purple, attract wildlife and are edible.
Native range
Eastern North America
Care tips
It prefers full sun exposure for optimal fruit production and vigorous growth. It requires regular and deep watering, especially during dry periods and in its first years of establishment, but is quite drought-tolerant once mature. It adapts to a wide range of soils, though it prefers well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic to neutral ones; avoid excessively compacted or waterlogged soils. A common mistake is planting it near pavements or structures, as its fallen fruits can stain.
How to save a dying Red mulberry
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or browning, wilting leaves; slow or no growth; premature fruit drop.
- First aid
- Ensure good drainage and regular watering. Check for pests (spider mites, aphids). Lightly fertilize in spring if needed.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging, prolonged drought in hot summers, lack of sun, or improper heavy pruning.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! It's a resilient tree. Identify the cause and act quickly. With care, it can recover.