Barbados cherry (Malpighia albiflora)
Care, watering, light and tips for Barbados cherry on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Malpighiaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Barbados cherry
Malpighia albiflora, commonly known as White Acerola, is an evergreen shrub or small tree, valued for its attractive white flowers and edible fruits. Its leaves are bright green, and its compact habit makes it ideal for small gardens, hedges, or even as a bonsai. It is an ornamental and productive plant that adds beauty and flavor to any outdoor space.
Native range
Caribbean and Central America
Care tips
It requires full sun exposure for optimal flowering and fruiting, although it tolerates partial shade. Watering should be regular, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and fruiting periods. It prefers well-drained soils, rich in organic matter. A common mistake is lack of pruning, which can reduce fruit production and plant vigor; prune it annually to maintain its shape and stimulate growth.
How to save a dying Barbados cherry
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or whitish leaves, leaf drop, dry or brittle branches, lack of flowering or fruiting.
- First aid
- Check drainage, ensure direct sun (6+ hours), fertilize with balanced feed, prune dead branches.
- What kills it
- Lack of direct sunlight, constant waterlogging, nutrient deficiency, frost.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not fully rotted and main trunk isn't dry.