Grewia

( GREW - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Grewia (commonly referred to as Raisin Bush, Raisin Tree, or Brandy Bush) is a large genus filled with species of evergreen shrubs and small trees native to tropical and subtropical regions in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific. They require full sun exposure and have moderate water needs. These shrubs have green, glossy leaves and produce star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, yellow, or purple. Fleshy, edible drupe fruits follow flowers. These plants are used as versatile, fast-growing hedges, screening plants, espalier, and can even be pruned into small accent trees.

Grewia Species and Varietals

Grewia is a genus in the plant family Malvaceae and includes 275 species. The best growing zones for Grewia shrubs are USDA hardiness zones 9-11. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map

Grewia asiatica (Phalsa, Falsa, Indian Sherbet Berry, फाल्सा, Unnu, Phutiki, Chadicha, Phulsha, Shukri, Pharaho, Mriduphal)
This species, native to south and southeastern Asia, forms a shrub or small tree to 26 feet tall at maturity. It produces green leaves and yellow flowers. Fruits that follow are purple to black when ripe. These plants are extensively cultivated for their acidic fruits, which are harvested in May in the plant's native range. This species is considered invasive in Australia and the Philippines.

Grewia occidentalis (Lavender Starflower, Crossberry)
Native to South Africa, these shrubs reach up to between 10 and 33 feet tall when mature. Flowers are double star-shaped and lavender to purple in color (rarely white). Shiny, reddish-brown berries follow blooms and attract birds. This species can be grown in full sun or full shade. This species is considered somewhat invasive in Hawai'i and Australia.

Grewia retusifolia (Dysentery Bush, Emu-Berry, Dog's Balls, Turkey Bush, Diddle Diddle, Dog's Nuts, Retuse-Leaved Grewia)
This species is native to subtropical and tropical regions of Eastern Australia and northern Western Australia. It reaches up to between 1 and 6.5 feet tall when mature. It has a sprawling habit, and produces small yellow to cream colored flowers. Fruits that follow are two-lobed and hairy, inspiring a few of the plant's common names.

Grewia tenax (Phalsa Cherry, White Crossberry, Raisin Bush, Gangara, Gangu, Kanger)
This species is native to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the Indian subcontinent. Flowers are white and fruits that follow are edible, consumed by locals either fresh, dried, or powdered in drinks. Individual plants form shrubs or small trees and can reach up to between 1.6 feet and 20 feet tall when mature.

Caring for Grewia

Plant your Grewia shrub in springtime in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to light shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms and overall growth rate. Provide some late afternoon shade in warm, dry climates. When these shrubs are grown in lower light, they will not flower as profusely and produce leggy growth. They should be situated in a sheltered place that will not experience cold temperatures or drying winds and enjoy a relatively humid, warm environment. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 8.5 (acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Grewia shrubs appreciate consistently moist soil; it should not be allowed to dry out in between waterings. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These shrubs and small trees grow quickly; do any major prunings necessary after flowering is complete in fall, making sure to not ever remove more than a third of the plant at a time. These shrubs can be trained into single-trunked small trees or tied over arbors and trellises. They can even make great Bonsai. Grewia plants have varying lifespans that are heavily dependent on the climate they are cultivated in. They can live for between 5 and 50 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced. Most species reach full maturity in just 2 to 5 years.

Growing Grewia in Containers
Grewia shrubs are sensitive to cool temperatures and drying winds, preferring warm, humid climates. Growing Grewia in containers can allow gardeners in cooler zones to cultivate these shrubs, bringing them into a sheltered location over the winter months. Choose a container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom and choose a space in the garden that gets full sun to partial shade. Fill the container with well-draining potting mix amended with plenty of organic material (compost) and sand. After planting, apply a layer of organic mulch to the top to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly; Anisodontea shrubs grown in containers will need more frequent irrigations than their in-ground counterparts. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. These shrubs and small trees grow quickly; do any major prunings necessary after flowering is complete in fall, making sure to not ever remove more than a third of the plant at a time. These shrubs can be trained into single-trunked small trees or tied over arbors and trellises.

Harvesting Grewia
The berries produced by these shrubs are edible, and are used in juices, preserves, and sherbets. It has an intensely sweet and sour flavor often compared to grapes or blueberries. The fruits, commonly called Falsa or Phalsa, are harvested in spring and summer (May through June). The berries will ripen at different times, and daily hand-picking is the best option. They are ripe when they have turned from green to a dark purple or black color. A well-cultivated plant can produce approximately 13-15 pounds of berries in a year. Once they have been harvested and rinsed, they should be used relatively quickly. They are highly perishable and must be consumed or processed between 1 and 2 days after harvesting. If stored in the refrigerator, they can last for about a week.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Grewia can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Grewia by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Grewia by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. They are contained within the fruits left behind after flowers have faded, and will need to be extracted from the pulp and rinsed before using.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-3 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home

The seeds are contained inside fruits that appear after flowers have faded.

Grewia seeds.

Problems and Pests

Certain Grewia species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Grewia shrubs can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape: