Growing Guide: Florida Native Mulberry
🌱 Growing Tips
Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-drained soil. Red Mulberry is highly adaptable—tolerating sandy, loamy, and even rocky soils—and is drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during establishment and fruiting for best yields. Prune to shape when young and to manage size if desired. This tree can reach 30–50 feet tall but can easily be maintained smaller with pruning. Hardy in USDA Zones 5–10, making it ideal for nearly all of Florida. Fruiting begins in 0-1 years from planting.
📋 Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Morus rubra |
| Common Names | Florida Native Mulberry, Red Mulberry |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Origin | Native to Eastern & Southeastern United States |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruit tree |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 30–50 ft tall x 25–40 ft wide (can be pruned smaller) |
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water Needs | Low to moderate once established |
| Soil | Well-drained; sandy or loamy soils |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | Greenish (inconspicuous) |
| USDA Zones | 5–10 |
| Florida Native | Yes |
| Propagation | Seeds, cuttings |
| Seasonal Traits | Deciduous |
| Time to Harvest | Mature; capable of fruiting 0-1 years from planting; fruits late spring–summer |
