Miracle Fruit Fans

Goal Grow Your Very Own Miracle Fruit

The miracle fruit, or miracle berry, is a berry plant native to Ghana in west Africa. Once eaten, this small red berry makes sour foods like lemons, grapefruits, and limes taste sweet. Many who have tried the miracle fruit say a lemon tastes like a piece of lemon drop candy.  The Latin name for miracle fruit is Sideroxylon dulcificum, but it is also known as Synsepalum dulcificum.

Our purpose here is to show you how to grow your very own miracle fruit plant. Here are step by step instructions and insider tips on growing miracle fruit. Hopefully these steps will help you in your gardening endeavor.

Step 1 List of Things You Need
Miracle fruit thrive in acidic soil with a pH balance of 4.5 or more, warm weather, and humid conditions. If you have access to the last two items, then you are off to a great start. We’ll help you get …

Step 2 Get Dirty
These seeds love acid and require rich, well-drained soil. We will use a mix of horticultural Perlite and peat moss as a bed for our miracle fruit …

Step 3 Starting the Seed
Scoop your Perlite/peat moss mixture into the small containers you are going to use for germination. Moisten the soil with a little water, then GENTLY push the seeds into the dirt until …

Step 4 Miracle Transplant
It can take up to two weeks for the seeds to sprout, so do not be discouraged if you do not see anything yet. Once your seeds have germinated, it is time to transplant them into …

Step 5 Patience … Om … and Tips for the Not-So Patient
You have watered, maintained humid conditions, kept it out of harsh sunlight, and even played it classical music, and still no fruit. Having patience in the care of your plant is the toughest …

Step 6 Fruits of Your Labor
What can you expect once your little sprouts mature and fruit? The answer is, little red berries, the size of fresh coffee beans hidden amongst the evergreen …

Step 1 List of Things You Need

Miracle fruit thrive in acidic soil with a pH balance of 4.5 or more, warm weather, and humid conditions.  If you have access to the last two items, then you are off to a great start.  We’ll help you get the first.

Here’s a list of things you need to get started:

* Miracle fruit seeds (or plant, if you can find one in your area)
* 1 bag of horticultural Perlite
* 1 bag of peat moss
* Small pot(s), Jiffy seed starter, or our favorite, an egg carton
* Warm, humid weather
* Patience

Miracle Fruit Fans tip: 
Gibberellic acid – Not necessary, but helpful by triggering the germination process since only about 25% of miracle fruit seeds germinate.  Available at most local nurseries.

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 Step 2 Get Dirty

These seeds love acid and require rich, well-drained soil. We will use a mix of horticultural Perlite and peat moss as a bed for our miracle fruit seeds. The easiest way to make this mixture is to use a large container. Pour an equal amount of Perlite and peat moss into the container. Once you have a 50/50 mix, shake the container until it is well mixed together. Alternatively, you can stir the mixture with a trowel, but this can get messy. Once you have your soil mixture, you are ready to start planting.

Sphagnum Peat Moss

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Step 3 Starting the Seed

Scoop your Perlite/peat moss mixture into the small containers you are going to use for germination.  Moisten the soil with a little water, then GENTLY push the seeds into the dirt until it is barely visible.  If you choose to use the gibberellic acid, now is when you will need it.  One spray for each seed should be enough.

Keep the soil moist, warm, and in partial-shade.  A tip is to place a plastic bag over the pot to retain the humidity and warmth.  The plants, especially the seeds, are not at all frost tolerant.  If there is a chance of a temperature drop, move your pots inside to a sunny spot near a window until temperatures increase.

Egg Carton with Perlite/Peat Moss Mixture

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Step 4 Miracle Transplant

It can take up to two weeks for the seeds to sprout, so do not be discouraged if you do not see anything yet. Once your seeds have germinated, it is time to transplant them into a larger container. You will need more of the 50/50 Perlite/peat moss mixture and about a 1 quart pot for each sprout.  Once you have those tools ready, follow these steps:

* Fill the new pot with the dirt mixture
* Dig a hole in the middle for the sprout
* Gently remove the sprout from its original home, taking care not to damage the roots
* Lower the sprout into the hole, making sure it is standing up and level
* Soak it with water and gently pat down the dirt around the sprout to remove any air pockets

Your sprouts are ready to take off.  Now it’s just a matter of time.

Miracle Fruit Sprouts

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