White glass bowl with dark red and purple cylindrical berries on a pale blue table with leaves and berries arranged around the bowl.

How To Grow Mulberry Plants

Updated on Mar 20, 2024
By Baillie Blankenship

Though the berries are similar in appearance to those of brambly members of the Rocaceae family such as blackberries and raspberries, mulberries grow on trees and belong to the Moraceae family, which also includes figs and jackfruit. 

HISTORY

The history of mulberry spans millennia, originating in China where they were cultivated for their leaves as food for silkworms in the silk production process. Mulberries were also prized for their delicious and nutritious fruits, which were enjoyed fresh, dried, or made into jams and wines. As trade routes expanded, mulberry cultivation spread to Europe and beyond, particularly during the Silk Road era. In addition to their culinary uses, mulberry trees held cultural significance in various societies, featuring prominently in folklore, art, and literature. Today, mulberry trees are cultivated worldwide for their fruits, leaves, and ornamental value, serving as a reminder of their enduring legacy in both practical and symbolic realms.

USES

  • Berries are enjoyed fresh, dried, or made into jams and wines.
Closely spaced bunch of 13 or 14 very dark purple, drupelet-covered, oval-shaped berries scattered on a table.Closely spaced bunch of 13 or 14 very dark purple, drupelet-covered, oval-shaped berries scattered on a table.

 

  • Mulberry trees are hardy in zones 4-8.
  • Choose a location in full to partial sun with well-drained soil.
  • Plants prefer a neutral to mildly acidic, nutrient-rich soil.
  • Space plants 30-50 ft. apart.
Colander full of dark red and purple drupelet-covered cylinder-shaped berries, with a spoonful of berries suspended over it.Colander full of dark red and purple drupelet-covered cylinder-shaped berries, with a spoonful of berries suspended over it.

 

  • Water deeply weekly.
  • Fertilize 1-2 times a year, only in late winter, with a balanced NPK fertilizer that also contains micronutrients.
  • Only prune dead, diseased, and crossing branches.
  • Prune while the tree is dormant.
  • Trees will produce fruit in 2-3 years.
Cylindrical, drupelet-covered white berries with green leaves on a blue surface.Cylindrical, drupelet-covered white berries with green leaves on a blue surface.

 

  • Mulberry trees are easily grown from seed but may take 5-10 years to fruit.
  • Harvest mature fruit when it has darkened and gotten soft.
  • Put berries in warm water and smash them with your fingers to help release the seeds.
  • Pour the mash into a mesh strainer and rinse off the pulp.
  • Lay seeds out on a screen to dry in a well-ventilated area.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dry, and dark place until you are ready to plant.
  • Plants can also be propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in the spring or early summer.
Dark purple, almost black drupelet-covered berries scattered across a wooden table.Dark purple, almost black drupelet-covered berries scattered across a wooden table.