Strawberry Tree is an evergreen shrub or small tree in the Heath family native to the Mediterranean region and western Europe. The showy red edible fruits mature in autumn and have a high sugar content but are rather bland tasting. They can be used to make jams and jellies. Fruit production is variable, dependent on the weather and the fruits bruise easily so this plant has not been grown for commercial fruit production much except for making brandy in Portugal. It is slow-growing, about 12"-24" a year, and usually reaches a height of 15 feet but can grow up to 35 feet tall. Grow it as a shrub or trained to a tree form to show off its interesting peeling bark. Strawberry Tree is easy to grow and adaptable to various climates and well-drained soils, including poor ones. It is tolerant of full sun to partial shade, salt, and drought once established. Lightly prune back the shoots regularly to maintain an attractive shape. Use as a specimen, for screening or as a small shade tree near a patio. With its glossy leaves, white flowers, red fruits and exfoliating bark this plant provides four seasons of interest for your landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to scales and thrips. Anthracnose, Phytophthora, root rot and rust are occasional disease problems. This plant struggles in humid climates. Fruit drop can be messy near hardscaped surfaces.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
2-4 inches by .8- 1.25 inches glossy green leaves with serrated margins and red stems. The tip is acute, base wedge-shaped (cuneate), undersides paler and glabrous.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower shape
Urn
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Urn-shaped small white or occasionally light pink flowers with a mild fragrance in drooping panicles of 10-30 flowers in autumn. In warm winter climates may bloom into winter. Flowers are similar to that of blueberries and they last a year on the plants until they form fruits.
Bloom time
Fall; Winter
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit value
Edible; Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
1/2-1 inch red berries with a rough surface in autumn. Mature in 12 months and are on the tree at the same time as flowers are. Fruits resemble strawberries and the wet fruits can be messy on hardscaped surfaces.