Can I grow this indoors?

It is difficult to grow indoors because it requires intense sunlight and significant space.

Does it need a lot of water?

Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, though it appreciates regular water while young.

Plant guide

Sea grape.

Coccoloba uvifera

Pronounced koh-koh-LOH-buh yoo-VIF-er-uh

Also known as Jamaican kino, Seagrape, platterleaf, sea-grape, shore sea-grape, Sea Grape

The sea grape is a beautiful, salt tolerant plant that thrives in coastal environments. It features large, leathery leaves and produces clusters of fruit that resemble grapes. It makes an excellent ornamental shrub or small tree for sunny spots.

Another photo of Sea grape — Photo by Carlos G Leon (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub or tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 15 to 30 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Give this plant as much sun as you can to keep it happy and compact. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. It handles pruning well if you want to keep it shaped as a hedge or tree.

Watering: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back branches in late winter to maintain your desired shape and size.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots begin to circle the pot.
Soil: Sandy, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.0
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 80%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for several decades.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, though the sap can be sticky and irritating to some.
Pets: The sea grape is considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The fruit is safe, but the large, stiff leaves could pose a minor scratch risk if handled roughly.
Contact allergens: The sticky sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: Pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive people during the flowering season.
Edibility: The fruit is edible when fully ripe, but ensure you correctly identify the plant before consumption.

How to identify it

Large, round, leathery green leaves
Prominent red veins on foliage
Clusters of small, grape like fruit
Peeling, smooth, light colored bark

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 2 to 5m
Leaves: green, reddish-veined, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: purple, red, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
Salt StressUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: If grown in a container in a cooler climate, move it to a bright, frost-free location before temperatures drop. Keep it on the drier side during the winter months.
In containers: It can grow in large containers, but it will eventually outgrow most pots and requires a very large vessel.

Seed

1. Clean the pulp from the fruit.
2. Plant seeds in well-draining soil.
3. Keep warm and moist until germination.

Cuttings

1. Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.
2. Dip the base in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a humid, bright environment.

Group with other salt-tolerant coastal plants to create a resilient, low-maintenance seaside landscape.

Grows well with

Sea Oats · They share similar coastal environmental requirements.
Beach Sunflower · This groundcover thrives in the same sunny, sandy conditions.

Similar species

Pigeon Plum · It is a related species with similar growth habits but smaller leaves.

Science

Family: Polygonaceae
Genus: Coccoloba
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Coastal regions of tropical America and the Caribbean.
Conservation: This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in sandy, nutrient-poor coastal soils by utilizing its thick, waxy leaves to retain moisture.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides food for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental hedge, coastal erosion control, edible fruit, shade tree

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 8/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this indoors?: It is difficult to grow indoors because it requires intense sunlight and significant space.
Does it need a lot of water?: Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant, though it appreciates regular water while young.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Coccoloba comes from the Greek words for berry and lobe, while uvifera means grape-bearing.

Good to know

It is highly salt-tolerant, making it a perfect choice for beachside gardens.
The common name refers to the grape-like clusters of fruit it produces.
It can be trained as a bonsai specimen.
The wood is sometimes used for cabinet making.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your sea grape growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.