Mulberry is a self-fertile fruit tree with sweet berries that turn from red to glossy black when ripe. The Royal Horticultural Society says black mulberry (Morus nigra) can reach about 30 feet tall and wide, takes about 8 years to first fruit, and that smaller varieties may fruit in roughly half that time.
Mulberry at a glance
| Type | Fruit |
|---|---|
| Season | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Plant spacing | 360 in |
| Row spacing | 360 in |
| Per square foot | 1 |
| Seed depth | At surface |
| Days to maturity | About 8 years for black mulberry; less for smaller varieties |
| How to start | Plant a self-fertile mulberry in a sunny, sheltered spot with room for a wide canopy, prune only while dormant and wear gloves when picking |
| Water | 1 in per week |
These are the same numbers our plant spacing, square foot and harvest date calculators use. See every crop in the plant database.
When to plant mulberry
Plant container-grown or bare-root trees while dormant, from autumn to spring; the RHS says spring settling is best, and bare-root trees are sold only in winter or early spring. Stake sturdily after planting. The main harvest is August and September. Check your growing zone.
How to plant mulberry
- Choose a sunny, sheltered spot with room for a wide canopy. The RHS describes ideal soil as deep, moisture-retentive but well-drained; on poor soil mix a bucketful of compost or well-rotted manure into the backfill. In colder areas, a warm, sunny wall is an option. Check the label for mature size and see the plant spacing calculator.
- Containers: at least 20 inches wide and deep, with soil-based compost. The RHS notes the variety ‘Charlotte Russe’ reaches about 5 feet in a container.
- Mulch at least 2 inches thick from November to February, leaving a small mulch-free circle around the trunk to prevent rot.
Caring for mulberry
Water new trees in dry spells for the first few years. Container trees need steady moisture in the growing season; water early or evening. Ground-grown trees under regular mulch usually need no extra feed; for poor harvests apply organic granular fertilizer in early spring. Container trees can have an organic liquid feed every two weeks in the growing season. See the garden watering calculator.
Pruning: prune when dormant, between leaf fall and mid-winter, because mulberries bleed heavily if pruned at other times. For a bush, cut the leader to 28–32 inches and develop 8–10 branches. Support heavy or low branches with padded Y-shaped props.
Companion plants
| Grow nearby | A sunny lawn or orchard edge with space beneath for harvesting sheets |
|---|---|
| Keep apart | Paving, light-coloured surfaces and parked cars under the canopy, because ripe fruit stains |
Birds eat the fruit, so net small trees if you want a full harvest. Check other pairings with the companion plant finder.
Common problems
| Problem | What you see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf spot or powdery mildew | Spotted or dusty leaves | The RHS lists fungal leaf spot and powdery mildews as possible problems; see the pest identifier. |
| Coral spot dieback | Pink-orange pustules and dying branches | Coral spot is a fungus causing branch dieback (RHS). Prune out affected wood while the tree is dormant. |
| Heavy sap bleeding | Sap runs from pruning cuts | Mulberries bleed heavily if pruned outside dormancy. Prune between leaf fall and mid-winter. |
Not sure what you are looking at? The plant problem identifier ranks likely causes from the symptoms you see.
When and how to harvest
The main harvest is August and September. Fruit turns from red to glossy black when ripe. Pick by hand wearing gloves to avoid staining, or shake branches over a sheet on large trees.
Plan your mulberry
- Plant spacing calculator: how many plants fit your bed
- Planting calendar: sowing and transplant dates for your frost dates
- Frost dates by ZIP code: your last spring and first fall frost
- Harvest date calculator: when your crop will be ready
Frequently asked questions
How far apart should I plant mulberries?
Space mulberries 360 inches apart in rows 360 inches apart. In a square foot garden, plant 1 per square foot.
How deep do I plant mulberry tree?
Plant at the same depth the tree grew before, staked sturdily; use a container at least 20 inches wide and deep.
How long do mulberries take to grow?
About 8 years to first fruit on black mulberry; smaller varieties may fruit in roughly half that time.
How much water do mulberries need?
About 1 inch of water a week, from rain and watering combined. Water new trees in dry spells for the first few years; keep container trees steadily moist.
Do I need two mulberry trees?
No. Mulberry trees are self-fertile, so one is enough (RHS).
When should I prune a mulberry?
While dormant, between leaf fall and mid-winter, because it bleeds heavily at other times.
When are mulberries ripe?
August and September, when the fruit turns from red to glossy black.