Surinam Cherry, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Surinam cherry is a dense, easily clipped hedge shrub with ribbed, tart red fruit, and it grows easily in Southwest Florida. That ease is the catch: Florida's Invasive Species Council lists it as Category I, because birds carry the seeds into natural areas. Plant it only in a contained yard, or choose a native hedge like Simpson stopper.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade; best in full sun
- Water:
- Regular; moderately drought tolerant once established
- Salt:
- Low to moderate; poor in salty soil
Surinam Cherry Tree sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Surinam Cherry Tree | 7 Gallon |
Surinam Cherry Tree in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 8 to 15 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide; often clipped to 6 to 8 ft
- Light
- Full sun to part shade; best in full sun
- Water
- Regular; moderately drought tolerant once established
- Salt tolerance
- Low to moderate; poor in salty soil
- Cold tolerance
- Zone 9B and warmer; frost burns new growth and a hard freeze can cut it back
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Spacing
- 3 to 5 ft on center for a hedge
- Florida native
- No, native to South America; on Florida's invasive plant list
- Botanical name
- Eugenia uniflora
Where Surinam Cherry Tree works in a SW Florida yard
If you already want a Surinam cherry, keep it as a clipped hedge inside a managed yard, well away from preserves, canal banks and natural lots. It shears easily to 6 to 8 ft and holds its leaves to the ground, with new growth that flushes reddish.
Pick the fruit before birds can spread the seed. For a similar hedge without the drawbacks, Simpson stopper, wild coffee and cocoplum are natives.
- Clipped edible hedge
- Fruit hedge in a contained yard
- Screen in a managed landscape
How our crew plants it
For a hedge, set plants 3 to 5 ft apart in full sun and well-drained soil, each in a hole twice as wide as the pot with the root flare at the soil line. Water often for the first few weeks, then taper to your assigned days.
Lee and Collier allow extra watering for new plantings. We set the depth and clean up.
Care after planting
- Shear in warm weather after each flush and keep the top slightly narrower than the base so the lower leaves stay full.
- Water regularly while it is new and through the dry season, then rely on your assigned days once established.
- Pick up fallen fruit and rake seedlings out of your beds so seeds do not sprout where you do not want them.
- Feed lightly in spring and early October, and skip nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 to September 30.
What to watch for
- Florida's Invasive Species Council lists Surinam cherry as Category I, and UF/IFAS rates it invasive in south Florida and does not recommend it, since birds spread the seed into natural areas, so we suggest a native hedge such as Simpson stopper where your lot touches a preserve or the water.
- Scale and caterpillars are the usual pests, and the Caribbean fruit fly can infest ripe fruit.
Surinam Cherry Tree questions we hear
Is Surinam cherry invasive in Florida?+
Yes. It is on the Florida Invasive Species Council's Category I list, and UF/IFAS rates it invasive in south Florida and does not recommend planting it. Birds eat the fruit and spread seed into hammocks. Keep it in a contained yard, or pick a native hedge like Simpson stopper.
How big does a Surinam cherry get, and can it be kept short?+
It grows 8 to 15 ft tall and 6 to 10 ft wide if left alone, and it takes shearing well, so many owners hold it at 6 to 8 ft as a hedge. Growth is moderate. Clip after each flush and keep the top narrower than the base.
What native hedge can I plant instead of Surinam cherry?+
Simpson stopper, cocoplum, wild coffee and wax myrtle are Florida natives that make good hedges. Simpson stopper shears well and has fragrant flowers and red berries for birds. Wild coffee suits shade, and cocoplum handles salt. Tell us your site and we can suggest one.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Surinam Cherry Tree
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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