Jabuticaba (Brazilian Grape Tree) Seedlings

The tree is a slow-growing evergreen that can reach a height of 15 meters (49 ft) if not pruned. The leaves are salmon-pink when young, turning green as they mature.

The tree prefers moist, rich, lightly acidic soil. It is widely adaptable, however, and grows satisfactorily even on alkaline beach-sand type soils, so long as it is tended and irrigated. Its white flowers grow directly from its trunk in a cauliflorous habit. In their native habitat, jaboticaba trees may flower and fruit five to six times yearly. Jaboticaba trees are tropical to subtropical plants and can tolerate mild, brief frosts, not below 26 °F (-3 °C).

The tree has a compact, fibrous root system, making it suitable for growing pots or transplanting.

The fruit is a thick-skinned berry and typically measures 3–4 centimeters (1.2–1.6 in) in diameter. The fruit resembles a slip-skin grape. It has a thick, purple, astringent skin that encases a sweet, white, or rosy pink gelatinous flesh. Embedded within the flesh are one to four large seeds, which vary in shape depending on the species. Jaboticaba seeds are recalcitrant and they lose viability within 10 days when stored at room temperature.

In Brazil, the fruit of several related species in the Plinia and Myrciaria genera share the same common name.

Jaboticaba trees are fairly adaptable to various kinds of growing conditions, tolerating sand or rich topsoil. They are intolerant of salty soils or salt spray. They are tolerant of mild drought, though fruit production may be reduced, and irrigation will be required in extended or severe droughts.