Natal Plum
Carissa macrocarpa
Natal plum is a glossy, spiny evergreen shrub from South Africa with fragrant white flowers and red plum-like fruit. It is a tough, salt-tolerant choice for warm-climate hedges and coastal gardens.
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
- Difficulty
- Easy
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Overview
Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is an evergreen shrub native to coastal South Africa, valued for its dense, glossy foliage, fragrant star-shaped white flowers and bright red, plum-like fruit.
It is armed with forked spines, making it an effective barrier hedge, and tolerates heat, drought and salt spray, so it is widely used in coastal and warm-climate landscaping. The plant can flower and fruit nearly year-round in suitable climates.
How to identify it
- Flowers: fragrant, white, 5-petaled star-shaped flowers resembling small jasmine blooms
- Fruit: oval red berries about 1 to 2 in, plum-like, with milky white flesh
- Leaves: opposite, leathery, glossy dark green, oval with a pointed tip
- Stems: bear distinctive forked (Y-shaped) spines
- Habit: dense, rounded evergreen shrub, usually 2 to 7 ft, exuding milky sap when cut
Care & growing
Thrives in full sun to part shade in warm climates.
- Water: drought tolerant once established; water moderately for best fruiting
- Soil: well-drained; tolerant of sandy and coastal soils
- Temperature: USDA zones 9 to 11; frost sensitive
- Feeding: light feeding supports flowering and fruit
- Pruning: tolerates shearing into hedges; mind the spines
- Propagation: seed or semi-hardwood cuttings (cuttings can be slow)
Habitat & origin
Native to the coastal regions of South Africa, particularly KwaZulu-Natal, where it grows in coastal bush and dune scrub.
It is widely cultivated in warm, frost-free regions such as Florida, California, Hawaii and Mediterranean climates, prized for coastal and seaside plantings thanks to its salt tolerance.
Frequently asked questions
Does Natal plum have thorns?
Yes, it bears distinctive forked, Y-shaped spines, which make it a good barrier hedge but require care when pruning.
Is it salt tolerant?
Very. Natal plum is a classic coastal shrub that withstands salt spray and sandy soils, ideal for seaside gardens in warm climates.
How cold hardy is it?
Not very. It is frost-sensitive and suited to roughly USDA zones 9 to 11, needing protection or indoor culture in colder areas.
Natal Plum guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Natal Plum.
