Growing traditional sweet or sour cherries in Louisiana is extremely difficult, but not impossible. Cherries are temperate fruit trees (Prunus genus) that naturally thrive in regions with cold winters and moderate summers. Louisiana’s warm, humid subtropical climate presents environmental hurdles that almost all standard cherry cultivars cannot overcome. Success requires selecting specific, specially-bred varieties and implementing precise cultivation techniques to counteract the state’s mild winters and heavy soils.
The Climate Obstacle
The most significant barrier to growing standard cherry trees is the lack of sufficient winter cold, known as “chill hours.” Cherries must accumulate a specific number of hours between 32°F and 45°F to properly break dormancy, ensuring uniform flowering and fruit production. Traditional sweet cherry varieties, such as ‘Bing’ or ‘Rainier,’ often require 800 to 1,000 or more chill hours.
Louisiana’s winters do not provide this necessary cold period. Southern regions typically accumulate only 200 to 400 chill hours annually, while Central Louisiana may reach 400 to 600 hours, still falling short for high-chill varieties. Without enough chill accumulation, a cherry tree will exhibit delayed, weak, or uneven flowering, resulting in minimal or no fruit set.
The state’s high humidity and intense summer heat also create a challenging environment. Persistent moisture encourages fungal diseases, such as brown rot and leaf spot, which severely weaken the tree and damage the fruit. Long, hot summers stress the trees, making them more susceptible to pests and negatively impacting fruit quality.
Low-Chill Cherry Varieties
Overcoming the chill hour deficit requires selecting specific cultivars bred for subtropical climates. The newest generation of low-chill sweet cherry varieties offers the best potential for success in Louisiana, typically needing only 200 to 400 chill hours.
Varieties like ‘Minnie Royal’ and ‘Royal Lee’ are popular choices, requiring only 200 to 300 chill hours. Planting them together is mandatory because ‘Minnie Royal’ serves as the primary pollinator for the non-self-fertile ‘Royal Lee.’ ‘Lapins’ is another viable, self-fertile option known to require 350 to 400 chill hours, offering flexibility in the northern half of the state.
The self-fertile ‘Stella’ variety is sometimes mentioned in Louisiana gardening circles, though requiring 400 hours or more, making it best suited for northern parishes. Gardeners must confirm the exact chill hour requirement of their location against the tree’s needs. Choosing a variety that closely matches the average chill hours of the planting site is paramount for consistent production.
Site Selection and Soil Needs
Successful cherry cultivation in Louisiana heavily depends on mitigating the issues of poor drainage and heavy clay soil. Cherry trees are highly susceptible to root rot in saturated conditions, making proper site selection a matter of survival. The planting location must receive at least eight hours of direct sunlight daily to promote robust growth and fruit development.
To ensure quick drainage, planting the tree in a raised mound or a constructed raised bed is recommended. These structures should be filled with an amended soil mix that includes organic matter to improve aeration and drainage, preventing roots from sitting in standing water after heavy rainfalls. Cherry trees prefer a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ideally ranging from 6.3 to 6.8.
The selection of appropriate rootstock is also a factor in managing soil conditions. Rootstocks like ‘Mazzard,’ ‘Gisela 5,’ and ‘Gisela 6’ are more tolerant of heavy or clay-like soils, though they still require excellent drainage. Rootstocks such as ‘Mahaleb’ are poor performers in heavy, wet clay and should be avoided entirely in Louisiana.
Cherry-Like Alternatives
For gardeners seeking a cherry-like fruit without the challenges of growing true Prunus varieties, several alternatives thrive in Louisiana’s subtropical climate. These options are naturally adapted to the heat, humidity, and soil conditions, providing a much higher guarantee of a sustained harvest. They offer a similar taste profile or size, often used in jams, jellies, and fresh eating, and bypass the complicated chill hour requirements and disease pressures of true cherries.
Barbados Cherry (Acerola)
The Barbados Cherry, or Acerola (Malpighia glabra), is an easy-to-grow substitute that produces small, red, cherry-sized fruits high in Vitamin C. This evergreen shrub or small tree is exceptionally heat-tolerant and flourishes in the state’s conditions.
Surinam Cherry
The Surinam Cherry (Eugenia uniflora) is a cold-hardy shrub or small tree that yields distinctively ribbed, red-to-dark-purple fruit.
Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry
For a larger fruit with a similar dark color profile, the Dwarf Everbearing Mulberry (Morus species) is an outstanding choice. Varieties like ‘Gerardi Dwarf’ are productive, low-maintenance, and tolerant of heavy soil, often producing fruit continuously from late spring into summer.