Genip (Genipa americana)
Care, watering, light and tips for Genip on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Genip
Genipa americana, known as tapuhupa or jagua, is a tropical fruit tree from the Rubiaceae family, valued for its edible fruits and ethnobotanical uses. It can reach considerable heights, with a dense canopy and bright green foliage, making it an excellent shade tree in large gardens or as part of an agroforestry system. Its flowers are fragrant, and its spherical fruits, which ripen from green to brownish-yellow, have a sweet-sour taste, ideal for juices and jams.
Native range
Tropical America, from southern Mexico and the Caribbean to northern Argentina
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade for optimal development and good fruiting. Watering should be regular, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, especially during the dry season. It prefers deep, well-drained soils rich in organic matter. Avoid frost, as it is a tropical plant highly sensitive to extreme cold, which could severely damage or kill the tree.
How to save a dying Genip
- Warning signs
- Yellowish/brown, wilting or dropping leaves, stunted growth, basal rot.
- First aid
- Check drainage and watering. Provide bright indirect light. High humidity.
- What kills it
- Lack of drainage causing root rot. Prolonged dry air.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots aren't fully rotten and trunk is firm.