The mangosteen tree is slow growing, upright in habitat, with a pyramid shaped crown. This evergreen tree has short stalked, dark green leaves that are oblong and glossy atop and yellow-green and dull on the underside. New leaves are rosy red and oblong.

The miracle fruit plant grows as a dense shrub or small tree usually not more than 5.5 metres (18 feet) in height in the wild and generally smaller when cultivated The simple leaves are oval and tapering at the base with smooth margins and feature a waxy underside;