Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is a Brazilian tropical tree from the Atlantic Forest biome, cultivated throughout Brazil and increasingly grown worldwide for its uniquely unusual fruiting habit: the grape-like, dark purple-black berries are produced by cauliflory, meaning they grow directly on the trunk and main branches of the tree rather than at the tips of branches like most fruit. At fruiting time, the trunk and large branches become completely covered with dense clusters of berries that emerge directly from the bark, creating a spectacular appearance quite unlike any other fruiting tree. In Brazil, jaboticaba trees in full fruit are a common sight in gardens and orchards; a mature tree can produce fruit multiple times per year in tropical conditions (3 to 5 fruiting cycles annually in ideal warmth). The fruits are round, 2 to 4 cm in diameter, with a thick, tough skin that ranges from deep purple to near-black when ripe; inside, the flesh is pale white or pink, soft, sweet, and slightly tart, surrounding 1 to 4 seeds. The fruit is eaten fresh (by pulling off the skin and eating the flesh) or made into wine, jelly, liqueur, vinegar, and fermented beverages. Jaboticaba wine is produced commercially in Brazil and is considered one of the country's distinctive regional wines. The fresh fruit does not travel well and deteriorates within 3 to 4 days of harvest, which is why it is almost never seen fresh outside Brazil.

Plant problems

Why Are My Jaboticaba Leaves Curling?

Q: Why are my jaboticaba leaves curling?

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora, also classified as Myrciaria cauliflora) leaves curl most commonly in UK greenhouse conditions because of red spider mite infestation, low humidity, mealybug, or cold damage. Jaboticaba is a slow-growing tropical tree from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil and requires a heated UK greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 10 to 12°C; temperatures below 5°C cause severe damage. Red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) thrives in the warm, dry conditions of a heated UK greenhouse; the tiny mites colonise the leaf undersides, piercing the cells and producing a fine, pale stippling on the upper surface followed by leaf yellowing, curling, and webbing as the infestation intensifies. Low humidity in the heated greenhouse (especially in winter when heating dries the air significantly) predisposes jaboticaba to spider mite and causes the small, lance-shaped leaves to develop brown tips and curl inward. Mealybug (Planococcus citri) can colonise the leaf axils and young growing tips, causing the leaves to curl and distort. Cold temperatures below the plant's tolerance cause leaf curl, yellowing, and drop.

Q: What does jaboticaba taste like?

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) fruit has a sweet, slightly tart, complex flavour that is most often compared to Concord grape or muscadine grape in the UK, though it is richer and more aromatic than either. The thick skin has a slightly bitter, tannic quality similar to a grape skin; most people in Brazil eat jaboticaba by squeezing the berry between the lips so the sweet white flesh pops into the mouth while the skin is discarded, though the skin is edible and some people eat the whole berry. The flesh is juicy and has a perfumed, tropical sweetness with floral notes and a pleasant tartness. The flavour is quite different from blueberry despite the similar appearance and dark colour; jaboticaba is more intense, more aromatic, and more grape-like. UK greenhouse growers who successfully fruit their trees report that the fresh fruit eaten warm from the tree is exceptional and very different from any tropical fruit available in UK shops. The main limitation for UK consumers is that fresh jaboticaba is essentially unavailable commercially because it deteriorates so rapidly; those who grow their own have access to fruit that is practically unknown in fresh form in the UK.

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is a slow-growing tropical tree from Brazil's Atlantic Forest with one of the most spectacular fruiting displays in the plant world: dense clusters of dark purple-black, grape-like berries that grow directly on the trunk and branches (cauliflory) rather than on terminal shoots. Grown as a prized greenhouse specimen in the UK, it produces small, lance-shaped leaves that are vulnerable to red spider mite and low humidity in the dry air of a heated glasshouse in winter.

Red spider mite

Red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is the most damaging pest of jaboticaba in UK greenhouse conditions. The tiny mites thrive in warm, dry conditions and can build from undetectable to severe infestation within a week or two. The first sign is pale, fine stippling on the upper leaf surface; as the infestation intensifies, the leaves yellow, curl, and become covered in fine silk webbing on the undersides. Jaboticaba is particularly susceptible because it requires the warm temperatures that spider mite also prefers; the only effective deterrent is maintaining high humidity, which spider mite avoids.

What to do

Maintain greenhouse humidity at 55 to 70%; spider mite populations cannot build rapidly in high humidity. Introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis (predatory mite) at the first sign of any infestation; this is the most effective long-term control. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray to the leaf undersides every 3 to 5 days when Phytoseiulus is less active. Rinse the foliage with water weekly to knock mites off. Never use broad-spectrum insecticides that kill Phytoseiulus.

Low humidity

Jaboticaba comes from the high-humidity Atlantic Forest of Brazil and requires moderate to high humidity in the UK greenhouse; in the dry air of a heated glasshouse in winter, the small, lance-shaped leaves develop brown tips and curl inward. Low humidity is also the primary predisposing factor for red spider mite infestation, which means that improving humidity simultaneously addresses the direct leaf damage and the main pest risk. Consistent humidity monitoring with a digital hygrometer is worthwhile for any greenhouse with tropical specimens.

What to do

Damp down the greenhouse floor and staging regularly throughout the day. Run a humidifier during the winter heating period. Mist the foliage in the morning. Group jaboticaba with other moisture-loving tropical plants to create a localised humid microclimate. Position the tree away from heating pipes or radiators, which create zones of very dry air immediately around them.

Mealybug

Mealybug (Planococcus citri) can colonise the leaf axils and growing tips of jaboticaba in the UK greenhouse; the white, cottony colonies extract sap and produce honeydew that supports sooty mould. Young, expanding leaves that are colonised by mealybug curl and distort as they develop. Mealybug can be introduced on any newly purchased plant; quarantine new introductions for at least 4 weeks before placing them in the greenhouse with established specimens.

What to do

Dab individual colonies with a cotton bud soaked in methylated spirits. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray to all plant surfaces every 5 to 7 days for 3 to 4 weeks. Introduce Cryptolaemus montrouzieri (mealybug destroyer) for biological control. Inspect the plant weekly; populations rebuild rapidly. Quarantine all new greenhouse plants before introducing them.

Cold damage

Jaboticaba is more cold-tolerant than most tropical greenhouse trees; it can tolerate temperatures down to about 3 to 5°C without being killed, though it prefers a minimum of 10 to 12°C. Temperatures below 5°C cause leaf curl, yellowing, and drop; if the cold is brief and the roots survive, the plant will recover and produce new growth when temperatures rise. Jaboticaba is slow-growing and takes many years to reach fruiting size; protecting it from cold damage is important for long-term health of the plant.

What to do

Maintain greenhouse temperatures above 10°C; jaboticaba tolerates short periods to 5°C but grows poorly and may defoliate. In the event of a heating failure, move the plant to the warmest position and insulate the pot. Remove damaged leaves when temperatures recover and resume normal watering as new growth appears. Reduce watering in cool winter conditions when the plant's growth slows.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my jaboticaba leaves curling?

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) leaves curl most commonly in UK greenhouse conditions because of red spider mite infestation, low humidity, mealybug, or cold temperatures. Spider mite thrives in warm, dry greenhouse conditions and causes pale stippling, yellowing, and curling with fine webbing; high humidity is the most effective preventive. Low humidity in a heated winter greenhouse causes brown leaf tips and inward curl. Mealybug distorts young expanding leaves.

What is jaboticaba?

Jaboticaba (Plinia cauliflora) is a slow-growing tropical tree from Brazil's Atlantic Forest with a unique fruiting habit: grape-like, dark purple-black berries produced directly on the trunk and main branches (cauliflory) rather than on branch tips. A mature tree in fruit, with thousands of berries erupting from the bark, is one of the most remarkable sights in horticulture. Slow-growing; can take many years to reach fruiting size in a UK greenhouse.

What does jaboticaba taste like?

Jaboticaba fruit is sweet, slightly tart, and aromatic with a flavour often compared to Concord grape or muscadine grape but richer and more complex. The thick skin has a tannic quality; most people eat the fruit by squeezing the flesh into the mouth and discarding the skin. The white, juicy flesh is perfumed and tropical. Fresh jaboticaba is essentially unavailable in UK shops because the fruit deteriorates within 3 to 4 days of harvest; growing your own is the only way to access fresh fruit in the UK.

How do I control red spider mite on jaboticaba?

Maintain greenhouse humidity at 55 to 70%; spider mite populations cannot build rapidly in high humidity. Introduce Phytoseiulus persimilis (predatory mite) at the first sign of infestation; this is the most effective long-term control. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap spray to leaf undersides every 3 to 5 days. Rinse the foliage with water weekly. Never use broad-spectrum insecticides that would kill Phytoseiulus.