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Fruit tree

Mulberry

Morus nigra

A hardy, long-lived tree that crops heavily in late spring and early summer, even in tough Adelaide conditions. Black mulberry fruit is rich and juicy but stains everything, so plant away from paths and washing lines. Net or share with the birds.

When to plant where you live

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Add mulberry to my garden

Planting times for other areas

Varieties (2)

  • Black EnglishThe classic large, rich, tart-sweet black mulberry; slow-growing, long-lived
  • Dwarf black mulberryCompact form that fruits young; suits pots and small yards

Neighbours

Grows well with

From seed to plate

  1. Plant

    500 cm apart. Full sun.

  2. Water

    Deep water in summer.

  3. Feed

    Little needed.

  4. Pick

    Pick soft dark fruit.

Good to know

  • Prune in winter to keep the tree at a height you can net and pick
  • Spread a sheet under the tree and shake branches to harvest
  • Wear old clothes when picking; the juice stains

Common problems

  • Birdsnet the tree or plant a dwarf type that's easier to cover
  • Fruit drop in dry spellswater deeply as fruit forms
  • Scale insectsprune out infested twigs; use horticultural oil following label directions

If you use a garden chemical, follow the label exactly. Try organic options first, and ask the community or Plant Doctor if you're unsure.

Ask the garden helper about mulberryAny question, answered from the plant libraryHow others are growing mulberryQuestions, tips and harvests from the community

Safety: Mildly toxic to pets and children (unripe fruit, leaves).

Where this information comes from
  • ABC Gardening Australia fact sheets (growing, medium confidence)
  • ABC Gardening Australia: Top Tip: Mulberries (growing, medium confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)
  • Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) (planting time, medium confidence)
  • Poisons information centre plant guidance (Australia) (toxicity, low confidence)
  • Unripe fruit and milky sap: low toxicity in general references (no ASPCA entry confirmed) (toxicity, low confidence, checked 27 Oct 2026)

Reviewed by AI cross-check (Claude), not a horticulturist on 27 Oct 2026. Version 2.