How to Grow Plum Trees

General Information

Botanical Name:

Prunus domestica / Prunus salicina

Common Names:

Plum, Plum Tree, European Plum, Japanese Plum

Plant Family:

Rosaceae

Type:

Deciduous; Fruit

Our Favorite Varieties:

Santa Rosa, Methley, Ozark Premier, Stanley, Shiro

Know Before You Grow

Growing Zones:

4–9

Frost Hardy:

Yes

Heat Tolerant:

Moderate to high

Chill Hours:

250–800

Pollination Needs:

Depends on variety; some are self-fertile, but many need a compatible plum nearby

Rootstock:

Dwarf, semi-dwarf, or standard

Full Size:

8–25 feet depending on rootstock and variety

Years to Produce:

3–6 years

In-Ground or Container:

Best in ground; dwarf plums can grow in large containers

Starting from Seed

When:

Fall or after cold stratification

Stratification:

Yes, 60–90 days cold stratification

Scarification:

Crack pit carefully or remove seed from pit before stratifying

Soil

Loose, well-draining seed-starting mix

Depth:

1–2 inches

Water:

Keep evenly moist

Germination:

2–8 weeks after stratification

Up Pot:

When seedling is strong and established

Light:

Full sun once sprouted

Soil Temperature:

65–75°F after stratification

Heat Mat:

Optional after stratification

Harden Off:

7–10 days

Planting Site Prep:

Soil:

Well-draining loam or sandy loam

pH:

6.0–7.0

Drainage:

Must drain well; avoid soggy soil

Sun:

Full sun, 6–8+ hours

Spacing:

8–10 feet; semi-dwarf: 12–15 feet; standard: 18–25 feet. If the variety needs cross-pollination, plant a compatible plum within about 50 feet.

Hole Size:

2–3 times wider than root ball, same depth

Fertilizer/Feed:

Avoid heavy fertilizer at planting; feed lightly after establishment

Compost:

Mix 2–3 inches into backfill soil

Mulch:

2–3 inches, kept 3–4 inches away from trunk

Planting:

When:

Late winter to early spring for bare root trees; fall in mild climates

How:

Spread roots outward and plant straight

Depth:

Graft union 2–3 inches above soil line

Spacing:

Dwarf: 8–10 feet apart; semi-dwarf: 12–15 feet apart; standard: 18–25 feet apart

Water:

Water deeply after planting

Mulch:

Apply 2–3 inches, keeping it 3–4 inches away from trunk

Staking:

Stake young trees only if needed in windy areas

Growing Care

Fertilizer/Feed:

Feed lightly in early spring with compost or balanced fertilizer

Water:

Deep water weekly during dry periods, especially while young and during fruit development

Pruning:

Prune annually for airflow, structure, and light penetration

Thinning:

Thin heavy fruit clusters to reduce branch breakage and improve fruit size

Mulching:

Maintain 2–3 inches of mulch around the root zone, kept away from trunk

Pollination:

Bees help fruit set; some varieties need a second compatible plum nearby

Winter Protection:

Protect young trunks from sunscald and rodent damage

Summer Protection:

Keep watered during heat and drought stress

Companions & Antagonists

Plant Family:

Antagonists:

Chives

Black Walnut

Garlic

–

Clover

–

Comfrey

–

Yarrow

–

Pollinator flowers

–

Attracts & Repels

Attracts:

Repels:

Bees, pollinators, birds, wildlife

No strong repellent effect

Pests & Disease

Pests:

Disease:

Plum Curculio

Brown Rot

Aphids

Black Knot

Scale

Bacterial Spot

Japanese Beetles

Leaf Spot

Borers

Powdery Mildew

Propagation

Seed:

Possible but not true to type

Cuttings:

Rarely used

Grafting:

Standard method

Layering:

Occasionally used

Harvest Time

When:

Summer through early fall, depending on variety

How:

Pick when fully colored and slightly soft

What:

Fruit

Storing:

Refrigerate short term

Preservation Methods:

Canning, freezing, drying, jams, jelly, sauces

Uses:

Culinary Uses:

Fresh eating, preserves, jam, jelly, sauces, baking, drying

Medicinal Uses:

Digestive support and fiber intake

Wildlife Uses:

Fruit for birds and wildlife; flowers support pollinators

Landscape Uses:

Spring blossoms, small shade tree, edible landscape tree

Wood Uses:

Small woodworking, smoking wood

Troubleshooting

No fruit:

Lack of pollination, late frost, or tree too young

Wormy fruit:

Plum curculio or other fruit pests

Rotting fruit:

Brown rot; remove infected fruit and improve airflow

Black swollen branches:

Black knot; prune out infected wood

Small fruit:

Overloaded branches or not enough thinning

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