Acerola

Malpighia emarginata

Subtropical shrub or small tree (Barbados cherry) with bright red, tart fruit very high in vitamin C.

Hardiness ratings

Acerola hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 9–11 −6.7 °C to 10 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H2 1 °C to 5 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 9 −1 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 5–7 5 °C and warmer Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Bright red, tart cherry-like fruit, exceptionally high in vitamin C
  • Young plants are frost-tender; mature plants tolerate only brief light frost
  • Fruit is very perishable, so it is usually eaten fresh or processed quickly

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Acerola against your zones

Reference

Acerola on Wikipedia