Acerola
Malpighia emarginata
Acerola is a small evergreen shrub with pink flowers and bright red, cherry-like fruit that is among the richest natural sources of vitamin C. It fruits several times a year and grows well in large pots.
Photo: Eric Gaba (Sting - fr:Sting) · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Water regularly while fruiting; established plants tolerate short dry spells.
Soil
Well-drained soil; pH 5.5–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
5–40 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed every two months with a balanced fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings, air layering, seed
Prune lightly to shape and keep it compact.
The fruit is safe to eat.
Top Cultivation Tips
Pick fruit fully red; it spoils within days.
Freeze or juice extra fruit.
Plants fruit within a year or two.
Fine leaf hairs can irritate skin.
Common problems
Root-knot nematodes
Microscopic soil worms that invade roots and cause knobbly swellings, leaving plants stunted and prone to wilting.
How to treat it →PestScale insects
Immobile, shell-covered insects that cling to stems and leaves, draining sap and weakening trees and houseplants.
How to treat it →PestWhiteflies
Small white flying insects that gather under leaves, sucking sap, spreading viruses and leaving sticky honeydew.
How to treat it →
