The Barbados Cherry, also known as Acerola or West Indian Cherry, is a popular fruit-bearing plant valued for its high Vitamin C content. Classified botanically as a large, multi-trunked shrub or a small tree, its size varies significantly depending on how it is grown and managed. The ultimate dimensions of a Barbados Cherry are not fixed but reflect its genetics and the specific environmental conditions it is exposed to.
Typical Dimensions of a Mature Tree
When grown in ideal, unmanaged conditions, the standard Barbados Cherry (Malpighia emarginata or Malpighia glabra) typically reaches a height between 8 and 12 feet, with a similar spread. This growth habit usually results in a dense, rounded canopy of spreading branches, making it look more like a large, bushy shrub. In its native tropical environment, the plant has the potential to grow taller, sometimes attaining a maximum height of around 20 feet.
The corresponding width is often 10 to 15 feet. Many commercially available varieties are cultivated for smaller size and easier harvesting. For instance, dwarf varieties, such as Malpighia punicifolia ‘Nana’, typically remain much smaller, often only reaching 2 to 4 feet in height and spread.
Environmental and Genetic Factors Affecting Size
The final size of a Barbados Cherry is influenced by its genetic makeup and the local growing environment. The plant thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, where it remains evergreen and achieves its full growth potential. When grown outside of these warm regions, especially where frost occurs, it must be grown in a container, which naturally restricts its size.
Specific cultural conditions also determine whether a tree reaches the upper or lower end of its size range. The plant requires full sun exposure to promote dense, robust growth; in partial shade, it tends to become spindly and produces less fruit. For maximum growth, the tree needs regular watering and well-draining soil, ideally with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
Genetic differences between cultivars predetermine their maximum size and growth rate. Standard varieties grown from seed are more likely to reach the taller 12-to-20-foot range. Grafted or named cultivars often have traits selected for compactness, meaning a particular plant may never exceed the height specified by its cultivar, even under perfect conditions.
Controlling Growth Through Pruning
For many growers, the maximum size of the Barbados Cherry is not a concern because the plant responds exceptionally well to heavy pruning, allowing its size to be managed. It is often maintained as a large, productive shrub rather than a tree, with continuous pruning keeping its height closer to 6 to 8 feet for easy hand-harvesting.
Pruning can train the plant into various forms, including a traditional single-trunk tree, a dense hedge, or a specimen shrub. To maintain a shrub-like form, vertical growth is selectively removed to encourage horizontal branching. Training it as a tree involves removing lower branches to establish a clear trunk. The best time for heavy pruning is typically in the early fall after the last flush of fruit production, or in late winter, as pruning at other times can reduce the amount of new growth that produces flowers and subsequent fruit.
For those in colder climates, growing the Barbados Cherry in a container is a common strategy that inherently limits its size. This method allows the plant to be moved indoors during cold weather. The physical restriction of the pot prevents the root system from expanding, keeping the entire plant significantly smaller than its in-ground potential. Even with its potential to reach 20 feet, routine trimming can keep the tree at a manageable size.