Growing Cherry of Rio Grande in New Zealand

Cherry of Rio Grande (Eugenia involucrata), also called Brazilian cherry (but not to be confused with the surinam cherry), is a subtropical fruit tree prized for its sweet, juicy berries and vigorous growth. It is well-suited to New Zealand’s warmer regions, thriving in well-draining soils with full sun and moderate protection from frost when young. Once established, it is hardy and highly productive.

Flavour and Appeal

The fruit is deep red to dark purple when ripe, with a sweet, rich flavour similar to cherry and sometimes compared to ripe plum. It is best eaten fresh, but abundant harvests can also be used for jams, jellies, sauces, or beverages. Unlike some Surinam cherry varieties, Cherry of Rio Grande has minimal resin flavour and is consistently sweet.

Time to Fruiting

Seed-grown trees generally start producing fruit in 3–5 years, while grafted or cutting-propagated trees can fruit earlier. They generally fruit once per year but can give multiple crops in some of the North Island.

Pollination

Cherry of Rio Grande is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit reliably. Planting multiple trees can improve fruit set and yield, but it is not essential.

Growing Conditions

This tree thrives in fertile, well-draining soils and prefers full sun for maximum fruiting. It can tolerate partial shade, though fruit yields may be reduced. Young trees should be protected from frost, strong winds, and heavy winter rains, while mature trees are more resilient.

Cold Tolerance

Moderately frost-tolerant once established, Cherry of Rio Grande can handle light frosts but young plants should be protected during colder months. In cooler areas, container growing is a practical option, allowing trees to be moved indoors or into sheltered locations during winter. We find our plants don’t struggle at any size through winter, often putting on new growth. So far we have not killed any!

Maintenance

The tree grows as a small to medium-sized shrub or tree with minimal pruning requirements. Pruning is generally limited to removing dead, crossing, or weak branches, or for shaping. Regular watering and fertilisation will support healthy growth and consistent fruiting.

Varieties

There are not many named varieties, instead we make sure to source seed from types known to be good. They are most commonly black, however we have sourced an orange variety which is said to be slightly sweeter with a unique flavour – we hope to have a limited number available in 2026.