Rose Apple (Syzygium jambos)
The Rose Apple, part of the Myrtaceae family (without any actual relation to roses or apples), tastes like a field of wild roses, condensed. Its yellow, mealy flesh can be eaten raw or cooked, and its creamy-white flowers can be candied to eat or cut to decorate.
Native to East Indies and Malaya, the Rose Apple, also known as the plum rose, malabar plum or poma rosa, tastes best when picked crisp and eaten immediately. You can prune the tree into a dense hedgerow or a tasty living fencepost, as the Guatamalans do, or let the Rose Apple stretch its canopy and reach its 40 ft. potential. You choose how you’d like to see the Rose Apple take shape! It’s easy-on-the-eyes, no matter what shape or size.
| Scientific Name | Syzygium samarangense |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Red Wax Jambu, Water Apple, Java Apple, Rose Apple |
| Family | Myrtaceae (Myrtle Family) |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Plant Type | Tropical Fruiting Tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Food Forest Layer | Mid-Story / Understory Layer |
| Mature Size | 10–20 ft tall (can be pruned smaller) |
| Light | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate to High |
| Harvest Season | Summer (may fruit multiple times per year) |
| Time to Fruit | 1 years from planting |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Fast |
| Zones | USDA Zones 10–11 (Zone 9Bwith protection) |
| Florida Native | No |
| Propagation | Air-layered, Grafted |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Evergreen; blooms and fruits in warm months |
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