Chrysobalanus icaco, Red Tip or Red Tip Cocoplum, is a popular tropical, evergreen, salt-tolerant, and drought-tolerant shrub, native to Florida, tropical South America, Africa, and the Caribbean. It is widely cultivated and naturalized in many tropical locations worldwide. Best features include attractive, rounded oval, leathery textured green leaves that emerge as bright red to orange bronze, small white flowers that attract pollinators, and a small, edible fruit enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.
This ecosystem-friendly plant produces small, nondescript, greenish white flowers in the summer that are followed by a purple to white, fleshy fruit in the fall. The fruit has a unique, somewhat bland, mildly sweet fruit-like flavor and was used by Native Americans and early settlers to make jam and jelly. Recreations of the heritage recipes can often be found in Coastal specialty gourmet food and gift shops.
Its most popular use is for hedges, boundaries, and screen plantings in coastal locations, wildlife habitats, and as a replacement for exotic plants in native landscapes.
Care: Cocoplum grows well in sandy to seasonally boggy soils. It is drought-tolerant once well established, but regular irrigation is needed until plants become established. Appearance and vigor are improved with regular watering. Feed a slow-release, general-purpose fertilizer as needed, based on appearance. Well-nourished plants are fuller and have a more saturated color in the new growth. Prune regularly to maintain size and shape. Protect from frost and freezing
Indoor Growing: Cocoplum is not recommended for growing indoors. Plants grow large and require higher levels of light, humidity, and temperature than are available in the average indoor growing space.
Climate: Cocoplum is a tropical plant and is recommended for growing in USDA Zones 10, 11, and 12. Protection from cold temperatures is required in all zones for the longest life and best appearance. Note that Zone recommendations are based on average temperatures and do not take factors such as humidity, rainfall, or day/night temperature variations into consideration. Every growing environment has unique challenges
Condition: This product is one (1) young, starter-sized plant intended for a gardener to grow to its mature size. You may expect a starter-size plant to be well-rooted, have a root zone of approximately 4 inches in diameter, be a minimum of about 6 to 8 inches tall, and have no blooms or buds on arrival. It may be shipped with or without a pot, as appropriate.
Plants are guaranteed to arrive in healthy, viable condition. This warranty is contingent upon the Seller receiving prompt notification of any issues or concerns with the plant\'s condition or appearance.
This notification must be received within 24 hours of delivery and include in-focus photos that clearly show the plant issue, shipping box, and address label. No other additional, extended, or long-term warranty is expressed or implied.
- Brand: Emerald Goddess Gardens
- Common Name: Tropical
- Bloom Form: Nondescript small single
- Mature Size: 4 to 6 feet
- Fragrance: None
- Suggested Uses: Hedge, Foundation, Boundary, Naturalizing, Potted
- House Plant Adapative: Yes, but may require supplemental light to show leaf color.
- Country of Origin: USA
- Limited Conditional Warranty: Healthy Arrival
- Extended Long Term Warranty: None
- Manufacturer:Emerald Goddess Gardens TM
- Climate: Tropical
- Color: White nondescript flower, colorful leaves
- Special Features: Colorful new growth, edible fruit
- Species: Chrysobalanus icaco
- Sunlight: Full sun to very light shade
- USDA Hardiness Zone: 9B, 10, 11
- Watering: Moderate to Heavy
