Species marlberry
bright-red fruits with lime leaves, burgundy-olive stems and olive trunk

marlberry

Ardisia japonica

Marlberry, or Ardisia japonica, is an amazing and unique plant species native to East Asia. Known for its vibrant pink to red berries, these small evergreen shrubs feature excellent drought tolerance, as well as cold and humidity tolerance. As an added bonus, Marlberry is adaptable to a wide range of soils, making it extremely versatile when it comes to landscaping projects. Rather modest in size, Marlberry is easy to maintain and can be trained for use as a low hedge or as a specimen plant, adding vibrant color and lush foliage all year round. With its easy maintenance, Marlberry is a great addition to any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 10

Flowers:

White to pale pink Flowers

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Fruits:

red Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Marlberry plants should be regularly watered once or twice a week to ensure healthy growth. They prefer moist soil, but be careful not to overwater since it may cause root rot. During the summer season, make sure to water the marlberry plant in the morning, when temperatures are milder. In winter, the soil can dry out a bit more, and only needs to be watered once a week. During periods of intense heat, water more frequently. Be sure to check the soil before adding water as the soil should be slightly moist before watering again.

sunlight

Marlberry (Ardisia japonica) plants prefer bright, indirect light, and are best when grown in a location that receives at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Mature plants should receive minimally 6 hours of direct sun per day, and artificial light may be used to supplement the natural light if necessary. The best time of day to receive direct sunlight is during the morning and/or afternoon hours when the sun is not at its strongest. It is also important to provide some shade. A secluded spot or a place near a window with sheer curtains can help prevent too much intense direct sunlight from damaging the leaves of the marlberry.

pruning

Marlberry (Ardisia japonica) should be pruned once a year around late winter prior to its growing season. When pruning, remove any dead, broken, or diseased branches and any shoots or branches that are too long or too dense. Cut each branch back to 2 or 3 sets of healthy buds to encourage new growth. Pruning in the late winter, prior to the start of the growing season helps maintain the plant’s shape and size and helps to produce large, abundant flowers during the flowering season.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Ardisia japonica (marlberry) typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

The Ardisia japonica, or marlberry, typically begins flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Ardisia japonica (marlberry) typically begins in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map