A Sweet Surprise in Our St. Pete Garden

At 15th Street Farm, we love growing plants that surprise people—especially ones that spark curiosity, taste like childhood, and draw pollinators and people alike. One of those is the Strawberry Tree, also known as Muntingia calabura. If you’ve never heard of it, don’t worry—you’re not alone. This tropical fruit tree may not be as well-known as your average citrus, but once you taste the fruit, you’ll never forget it.

These tiny red berries might look simple, but the flavor? A mix of cotton candy and buttery popcorn. Yes—really. Sweet, airy, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture and just a whisper of richness. It’s a flavor that both kids and chefs love, and it’s become a small but beloved feature on our farm.

What Is the Strawberry Tree?

Despite its name, the Strawberry Tree doesn't produce strawberries. Instead, it offers small, red, marble-sized fruits with an unexpectedly sweet and nostalgic flavor. The tree goes by many names around the world: Jamaica cherry, Panama berry, cotton candy tree, and more. It’s native to tropical Central and South America and has found a happy home right here in St. Petersburg, FL.

Why We Love It at the Farm

We grow the Strawberry Tree for so many reasons. For one, it’s incredibly productive and fast-growing. Planted in full sun, a young tree can begin fruiting in its first year, and here in warm, coastal St. Pete, it often fruits year-round.

If you watched Charley Belcher on Fox 13 News when he came to 15th Street Farm, you would have seen Charley trying these sweet berries right from the tree. It’s one of the purest expressions of joy—watching someone discover this fruit for the first time, right where it grows.

And for our Executive Chef Zachary Crossman, the strawberry tree is more than a novelty—it’s a culinary tool. One of his favorite ways to use these berries is by tossing them into fresh salads, where their bright flavor and soft texture bring unexpected contrast and a pop of color.

Growing Conditions in St. Pete

St. Petersburg’s climate (Zone 10a) is practically perfect for the Strawberry Tree:

Sunlight: Loves full sun (6+ hours daily)
Soil: Tolerates poor, sandy soil but thrives in well-draining, compost-rich earth
Watering: Once established, it’s very drought-tolerant—though it appreciates regular watering during dry spells
Cold Tolerance: Protect young trees in their first winter, but mature trees can usually handle St. Pete’s mild cold snaps
Size: Can grow 15–30 feet tall, with a wide canopy that provides welcome shade

It’s also a great addition to permaculture gardens and food forests, as it provides fast-growing canopy cover, pollinator habitat, and delicious fruit with minimal effort.

Fruit Production & Harvest

The Strawberry Tree produces tiny white flowers and bright red fruit almost continuously in warm weather. In St. Pete, that means you could be harvesting as often as weekly or even daily.

Ripeness: Berries are ripe when they’re fully red and soft to the touch
Taste: Sweet and light—think cotton candy mixed with buttery popcorn
Shelf Life: Very short—eat fresh within a day or two, or turn into jam, syrup, or juice
Harvest Tip: Pick quickly—birds love them as much as we do!

Culinary and Educational Use

At 15th Street Farm, the Strawberry Tree is used for more than just snacking. It’s part of our tours, tastings, and educational programs. It teaches people that delicious, healthy food can grow right in their backyard, and it invites curiosity with every berry.

And in the kitchen? Chef Zach has found ways to use them creatively—tossed into seasonal salads, paired with local greens, or simply sprinkled as a sweet contrast on a savory dish. Their playful flavor makes them a crowd-pleaser every time.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never seen or tasted a Strawberry Tree fruit, we invite you to come visit us, try one fresh off the branch or join us for a Farm Tour and Tasting that happens every Saturday from 11am to 12pm. It’s one of those plants that delights the senses and sparks joy, and it reminds us that even the lesser-known crops can have the biggest impact on our plates—and our hearts.

Whether you're planning a food forest, looking for a pollinator-friendly tree, or just want something sweet growing in your garden, the Strawberry Tree is a hidden gem worth discovering.

The Strawberry Tree (Muntingia calabura)