Panama Berry Tree | Sweet Cotton Candy-Flavored Fruit

Panama Berry

24" Box

$499.99

1/4

Panama Berry

Muntingia calabura

Phenomenally Fast Growth & Fruit Production • Sweet, Cotton-Candy Flavored Berries • Tough & Low-Maintenance

$499.99

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Panama Berry is a phenomenally fast-growing and generous tree, beloved in tropical gardens for its non-stop production of sweet, cherry-sized fruits and its carefree nature. This broad-canopied evergreen is constantly adorned with small, white flowers that quickly turn into an abundance of bright red berries with a unique, candy-like sweetness reminiscent of cotton candy or fig. Incredibly resilient in heat and poor soil, it provides quick shade, a continuous treat for both people and wildlife, and a charming, informal look for any low-maintenance landscape.

Famous for its incessant, year-round production of sweet, small red berries in warm climates.
Extremely fast-growing, often reaching over 10 feet in just two years, providing quick shade.
Berries have a distinctively sweet, almost candy-like flavor (often compared to cotton candy or very sweet figs) with a soft, juicy texture full of tiny, edible seeds.
A pioneer species that is highly adaptable to poor soils, heat, and drought once established.
Self-pollinating and begins fruiting at a very young age.
The broad, spreading canopy makes it an excellent, fast shade tree; flowers attract pollinators, and fruit attracts birds.

Flavor Profile:

Flavor: Very sweet, mild, and aromatic with subtle tropical notes, lacking any tartness.
Texture: Very soft, juicy, and pulpy with numerous tiny, crunchy seeds that are eaten along with the flesh.
Best Uses: Primarily a fresh snack eaten straight from the tree. Also excellent for making jams, jellies, syrups, or fermenting into wine. Must be used quickly after picking as it is highly perishable.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Lance-shaped, papery leaves with irregular serrated margins; dark green upper surface, light green underside.Flowers: White five-petaled blossoms with yellow stamens; blooms continuously in tropical climates.Fruit: Round red berries with thin smooth skin; juicy sweet pulp with numerous tiny seeds; flavor reminiscent of winter melon - sweet yet refreshingly light.Habit: Small evergreen tree with spreading umbrella-shaped crown; fissured bark and prominent lenticels on older branches
Mature Height: 25-40 ft
Mature Width: 25-40 ft
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Very high vitamin C and antioxidant content.Demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory properties.Continuous flowering and fruiting in tropical climates.Attracts birds and wildlife
Landscape Uses:Ornamental shade tree.Edible landscaping.Bird gardens and wildlife plantings.Urban and street planting (where fruit drop is acceptable)

Q: Is it true it fruits all year?
A: In consistently warm, frost-free tropical climates, it truly can flower and fruit continuously throughout the year. In areas with a cooler season, it will fruit during the warm months.

Q: Is it messy?
A: It can be. Because it fruits so prolifically and the fruit is soft, fallen fruit can create litter beneath the tree, attracting birds and insects. Plant it in a location where this is not an issue, such as in a lawn or away from patios and walkways.

Q: How do you eat it with all the tiny seeds?
A: The numerous tiny seeds are edible and barely noticeable when eaten. The standard way is to pop the whole berry in your mouth. The seeds add a slight, pleasant crunch, similar to figs or kiwis.

Q: Is it invasive anywhere?
A: Due to its fast growth and prolific seeding spread by birds, it has naturalized and can be weedy in some tropical regions (like parts of Florida and the Pacific Islands). It is not typically considered a major invasive threat but should be planted with awareness of its vigorous nature.