Black Pitanga

Black Pitanga – Eugenia uniflora

Also known as: Black Surinam Cherry, Brazilian Cherry

A stunning twist on the classic pitanga, this rare black variety offers sweeter ribbed fruit that ripens to deep purple-black with a rich berry-like taste. Unlike the red type, it’s low on resin and high on sweetness—perfect for eating fresh or turning into jam. The tree is small, dense, and glossy-leaved, making it great as a feature or hedge.

Features:

Ideal prune height: 1.5–3m

pH range: 5.5–6.5

Sun preference: Full sun when nearly 1 m tall

Minimum pot size by year 5: 40L

Time to fruit: 4 years

Harvest period: Spring to summer, sometimes more than once a year

Notable traits: Low resin, sweeter than red type, attractive foliage

Grows well in sandy or loamy soils and thrives in Perth’s sun. Once established, it handles dry spells and even light frost. Responds well to pruning. Keep moist through flowering and fruiting for best yields. Good in-ground or in large pots.

A collector’s favourite and crowd-pleaser, the black pitanga offers reliable crops, ornamental beauty, and standout flavour in one tough little tree.

Keywords: black pitanga, black surinam cherry, eugenia uniflora, rare fruit tree perth, sweet cherry tree, edible hedge, primal fruits perth