How to grow Jaboticaba in New Zealand
Jaboticaba, the Brazilian grape tree, is a slow-growing evergreen that carries its fruit straight on the trunk and main branches. The dark purple, grape-like fruit is very sweet with a white pulp, eaten fresh or made into jam and jelly. In New Zealand it suits warm, sheltered, frost-free gardens in the north, or a large pot, and it rewards patience.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Jaboticaba in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | October to December | |
| Auckland | October to December | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | October to December | |
| Central North Island | Not suited | Too frost tender for the plateau. |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | October to December | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | October to December | |
| Canterbury | Not suited | Too cold for jaboticaba outdoors. Grow it in a pot that can come under cover for winter. |
| Otago & Southland | Not suited | Too cold for jaboticaba outdoors. Grow it in a pot that can come under cover for winter. |
| Central Otago | Not suited | Far too cold for jaboticaba outdoors. |
Where to plant
Jaboticaba grows best in a warm, sheltered spot in full sun or part shade, in fertile, slightly acid soil that holds moisture but drains well. Fruiting may be lighter in heavy shade. Young trees appreciate a little shade and need protection from frost and strong wind.
Established trees are moderately frost tolerant and can take light frosts, but seedlings and young plants are easily damaged, so a frost-free site is best. Where winters are cold, grow it in a container that can move under cover.
- Northland, Auckland and coastal Waikato and Bay of Plenty: the best districts. Plant from October to December in a sheltered, frost-free spot.
- Wellington and Nelson and Marlborough: try it in the warmest, most sheltered spot, or in a pot that can be protected in winter.
- Central North Island: too frost tender for the plateau.
- Canterbury, Otago and Southland: too cold outdoors; grow it in a pot that comes under cover for winter.
- Central Otago: far too cold for jaboticaba outdoors.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sabara | The most common variety, prized for flavour, with fruit a little bigger than a grape. Often takes about 12 years or more to fruit from seed in New Zealand |
| Red | One of the fastest from seed, often 3 to 5 years, with sweet fruit borne through the year |
| Grimal | Large fruit and large, reddish leaves; about 8 to 10 years from seed |
| Paulista | Extra large, thick-skinned sweet fruit and red new growth, but one of the slowest to fruit |
Grafted trees, taken from fruiting plants, can fruit within about a year, so they are worth the extra cost if you want fruit soon. A single tree is generally self fertile, though more than one can increase yields.
How to plant
- Plant in spring once the soil has warmed and frosts are over.
- Dig plenty of compost or other organic matter into a sheltered, well-drained spot.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot and water in well.
- Mulch around the root zone with bark or similar to keep the shallow roots moist, keeping mulch off the trunk.
- Shelter young trees from wind and frost, and give them light shade in their first summers.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil consistently moist, as jaboticaba has shallow roots and dislikes drying out, especially while flowering and fruiting. Do not let it sit in waterlogged soil.
Feed through the growing and flowering season with a citrus and fruit fertiliser, and mulch with organic matter.
Pruning and care through the year
- Jaboticaba needs little pruning. Remove dead or crossing branches and thin minor branches so sunlight reaches the trunk, where the fruit forms.
- Protect young trees with frost cloth on cold nights.
- Net fruiting trees, as birds find the ripe fruit quickly.
Harvesting
Fluffy white flowers appear on the trunk and branches, often in summer, and the fruit ripens within weeks of flowering. It is ripe when fully dark purple-black and slightly soft. Pick by hand as it colours.
The fruit does not keep: eat it fresh within a few days, or make it into jam, jelly or juice. The skin is thick and slightly astringent, so most people squeeze the pulp out and discard the skin.
Growing in pots
Jaboticaba is slow growing and suits a large pot, at least 50 cm wide, filled with a quality, slightly acid potting mix. Keep it evenly moist and fed through the warm months. In cooler districts a pot lets you move the tree to a sheltered spot or indoors for winter.
Companion planting
Jaboticaba is a slow, long-lived tree. It suits a sheltered subtropical corner with other warm-climate fruit trees that give it some protection.
Good companions
Pests and diseases
Jaboticaba has few pests in New Zealand. Birds taking ripe fruit are the main nuisance.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Ripe fruit pecked or taken from the trunk and branches. Net the tree as fruit colours.
Jaboticaba is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
How long does jaboticaba take to fruit?
Grafted trees can fruit within about a year. From seed it depends on the variety: the Red type can fruit in 3 to 5 years, while the common Sabara often takes about 12 years or more in New Zealand.
Can jaboticaba take frost?
Established trees can take light frosts, but young trees are easily damaged. Plant in a frost-free, sheltered spot, or grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover in cold districts.
Why does jaboticaba fruit on the trunk?
Jaboticaba flowers and fruits directly on its trunk and older branches, a habit called cauliflory. Thinning small branches lets more light reach the trunk.
Do I need two jaboticaba trees?
No. Jaboticaba is generally self fertile, so one tree will fruit, though more than one tree can increase yields.
Can I grow jaboticaba in a pot?
Yes. It is slow growing and suits a large pot, at least 50 cm wide. Keep it evenly moist and move it under cover in winter if you live where frosts are regular.
Sources we checked: Ace Tropicals (NZ nursery): Growing jaboticaba in New Zealand; Yates NZ: How to grow jaboticaba.