Plum Tree

Prunus domestica, the European plum, is a deciduous tree in the rose family grown for its fruit. Japanese plums (Prunus salicina) are another widely cultivated type.

Plums are among the easiest stone fruits for home gardens. European types tend to be hardier and more self-fertile; Japanese types bloom earlier and often need a pollination partner.

• Small to medium rounded tree, typically 10-20 ft
• Oval, finely serrated leaves, often folded along the midrib
• Profuse white five-petaled blossoms in early spring, usually before leaves emerge
• Smooth-skinned oval-to-round fruit (purple, red, yellow, or green) with a powdery bloom and a flattened pit
• Gray-brown bark, sometimes with short spur shoots and minor thorns

Light: Full sun.

Water: Regular deep watering, especially during fruit swell.

Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil; avoid waterlogged sites.

Temperature: Need winter chill; European plums hardy to zone 4-5, Japanese types more frost-tender at bloom.

Feeding: Modest annual feed.

Pollination: Many European plums are self-fertile; most Japanese plums need a compatible partner.

Thinning/Propagation: Thin heavy fruit to improve size; trees are grafted to control size and variety.

Prunus domestica is thought to have originated near the Caucasus and Caspian region as a hybrid, while Prunus salicina comes from China. Both have been cultivated for centuries.

Plums grow across cool- and warm-temperate climates worldwide, with major production in China, Romania, Serbia, and the United States. They suit gardens with cold winters and frost-free bloom.