Miracle berry.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien

Moyenne

Type de plante

Tropical shrub

Lumière

Bright indirect light

Lumière en intérieur

Lumière vive indirecte

Arrosage

Tous les 3 à 7 jours

Taille adulte

5 to 15 feet

Croissance

Lente

Rusticité

USDA 10 à 12

Floraison

Sporadic throughout the year

Entretien

Keep this plant in a warm spot with high humidity to mimic its native tropical home. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is too alkaline or the plant is too cold. Use acidic soil to keep it happy and healthy.

Arrosage

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy.

Engrais

Use an acid loving fertilizer during the growing season.

Taille

Prune lightly in early spring to maintain shape.

Rempotage

Repot only when the roots have filled the container.

Sol

Acidic and well draining

pH du sol

4.5 to 5.8

Température

15 à 35°C

Humidité

60 à 90%

Résistance à la sécheresse

Faible

Durée de vie

Perennial, can live for many decades.

Parfum

Léger

Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins

Moyenne

Sécurité

Humains

The plant is non toxic to humans.

Enfants

The small red berries may be a choking hazard for very young children.

Comestibilité

The fruit is safe, but the miracle effect lasts for 30 to 60 minutes and can cause people to eat overly acidic or spicy foods they might otherwise avoid.

Comment l'identifier

• Glossy dark green leaves
• Small red oval fruits
• Dense shrubby growth habit
• White star shaped flowers

Hauteur

1,5 à 5m

Envergure

1 à 3m

Feuilles

dark green, evergreen

Fleurs

white, 0,5 à 1cm

Fruits

red, Year round with peaks

Problèmes courants

• Iron deficiency — Leaves turn yellow between the veins due to high soil pH.

La cultiver

Multiplication

seed, cuttings

Quand planter

spring, summer

Hivernage

Move containers indoors before temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Keep in a bright, humid spot away from drafts.

En pot

It grows well in containers and requires a pot at least 30 centimeters wide to start.

Group this plant with other acid loving tropicals to simplify soil management.

Bonnes associations

• Caféier — They share similar requirements for warmth and filtered light.
• Gardenia — Both plants prefer acidic soil conditions.

Espèces similaires

• Carambole — Both are tropical fruit trees that enjoy similar climate zones.

Science

Famille

Sapotaceae

Genre

Synsepalum

Ordre

Ericales

Classe

Magnoliopsida

Région d'origine

West Africa

Préservation

It is considered vulnerable in its native West African habitat due to deforestation.

It thrives in the shaded understory of tropical forests where it benefits from high humidity and acidic soil.

Intérêt pour la faune

nectar source

Pollinisateurs

abeilles, papillons

Utilisations

ornamental shrub, culinary novelty

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How long does the effect last?

The effect typically lasts for 30 to 60 minutes.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it is well suited for containers if kept in a warm, humid environment.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Synsepalum refers to the fused sepals, while dulcificum means sweet making.

Bon à savoir

• The miracle berry was once marketed as a diet aid.
• It grows very slowly, often taking years to reach a significant size.
• The fruit must be fresh to have the taste altering effect.