Light. Grows fast in full sun or partial shade.
Water. Water regularly until established. It then has high drought tolerance.
Soil and feeding. Does best in moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soil with some organic matter. It may languish in very poor soil.
Size. Grows to about 20 ft in most landscapes. It can grow larger over time, to 40 ft in South Florida.
Pruning. Prune young trees for strong structure. Remove lower branches over time where cars or people need clearance.
Problems to watch. No major pests. Leaves drop in March before red new growth, and fallen fruit is messy on patios for about 2 months.
Good to know. A Florida native with good salt tolerance. Birds eat the fruit, and the flowers feed butterflies. When planting, loosen circling roots.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS ENH333/ST174: Coccoloba diversifolia, Pigeon Plum · Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Coccoloba diversifolia
