The Fruit of Miracles
Growing Miracle Fruit
Growing miracle fruit plants at home can provide several financial benefits compared to purchasing berries or berry products. Once the plants are established, they can yield fruit multiple times a year, saving you money on repeat purchases. Additionally, homegrown miracle fruit can enhance your culinary experiences without the premium price tag of specialty berry products.
Growing at Home
Miracle fruit plants are surprisingly easy to grow, making them a great addition to any home garden. With just a bit of care and the right conditions, you’ll find that these unique plants thrive and produce their delightful, flavor-altering berries. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, you enjoy the rewarding experience of cultivating these fascinating plants.
Miracle fruit is native to the tropical rainforests of Ghana in West Africa. Due to its native range, miracle fruit needs three basic things to thrive: acidic soil, high humidity, and partial sunlight.
The rainforests of Ghana have very acidic soil, and as such, the miracle fruit plant must also have acidic soil. The soil should have an optimum pH of around 4.5 - 5. This can be accomplished in two ways: adding granular sulfur to the soil or using a water acidifier to decrease the pH of the water used to water the plant.
Rainforests are very humid, and because of this, the miracle fruit plant requires a relative humidity of about 70 - 100%.
Miracle fruit plants aren't particularly demanding when it comes to sunlight and actually prefer up to 75% shade.
Growing in USDA Zones 3 through 9
Being a tropical plant, the miracle fruit plant must be kept warm during the entire year. Prolonged exposure to temperatures under 45 degrees F will kill a young plant, while a large plant can survive in as little as 32-degree conditions as long as there is no frost.
During the winter, it is highly suggested to bring the plant indoors if the temperature drops too low. Miracle fruit can even be grown as houseplants and will still bear fruit.
Growing in USDA Zones 10 and 11
Miracle fruit plant is best grown outdoors in these zones due to lack of frost or freezing temperatures. Plants grown outdoors in these zones should be placed in a well-shaded area and watered regularly.