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Plum

Prunus domestica

Fruit treeDeciduousFrost HardyToxic

European plum (Prunus domestica), including the oval, freestone Zwetschge, is a medium-sized deciduous fruit tree that flowers white in spring before or with leaf-out and ripens blue, red or yellow stone fruit from July to September. Most cultivars are self-fertile; Sharka (plum pox virus) is the most important disease.

Overview

Height4.5–6 m
Crown diameter4.5–6 m
Root systemNot reliably documented
ShadeNot reliably documented
SunFull Sun
WaterMedium
HardinessUSDA zones 4–9
Chilling requirement700–1100 hours between 0 and 7 °C

Seasons

Flowering (Central Europe)Apr
Harvest (Central Europe)Jul, Aug, Sep

Planting time for bare-root trees. Container trees can be planted whenever the soil is workable.

Grafted forms

FormHeightCrown diameter
Spindle bush3–4 m2.5–3 m
Bush tree4–5 m3.5–4 m
Half-standard4–5 m3–7 m
Standard6–6 m6–8 m

Typical sizes; the rootstock, variety and pruning decide the actual size.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

None

Bad Companions

None

Shared disease: sharka (plum pox)

Other hosts in the database: Peach, Apricot. An infected tree can pass the disease on to them.

Only relations with a documented cause are listed.

Toxicity

SeverityModerately toxic
Toxic toHumans, Dogs, Cats

Stems, leaves and seed kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides that release cyanide; wilting leaves are particularly dangerous to animals. The fruit flesh is edible.

Planting Tips

LocationFull sun on a warm, sheltered site; in cold areas train against a south- or west-facing wall.
SoilFertile loam or clay that does not become waterlogged; slightly acidic pH 6-6.5 is ideal, but plums tolerate a wide range of soils.
WateringWater new trees regularly in dry spells for at least the first growing season; established trees in suitable soil usually need no extra water.
FertilizingFeed only if crops are poor or deficiency is visible: a general granular fertiliser in early spring. Heavy-cropping cultivars such as 'Katinka' benefit from extra water and compost.

Care Tip: Prune young trees in early spring after bud break and established trees in summer; avoid dormant-season and autumn pruning (silver leaf, bacterial canker). Thin fruit on overloaded trees. Prefer Sharka-tolerant cultivars ('Katinka', 'Hanita') or hypersensitive ones ('Jojo'). Many plum cultivars are self-fertile, but self-sterile or partly self-fertile cultivars need a compatible plum flowering at the same time as pollinator.

Sources