What soil does Plum grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, calcareous.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Plum be planted?

Plant it at least 4 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

How much water does Plum need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Plum

Prunus domestica

Plum (Prunus domestica) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Toxic to dogs and cats.

Illustration of Plum — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A rewarding, heavy-cropping fruit tree: white blossom in spring, then fruit from midsummer to early autumn for eating fresh, jam, bottling and drying. It is sold grafted and the rootstock decides the final size: about 3 m on a dwarfing rootstock, a 5 to 6 m tree on a vigorous one such as myrobalan. Many cultivars are self-fertile (for example Besztercei, Stanley and Čačanska lepotica), but gages and some others need a partner that flowers at the same time, so check the cultivar before buying, and plant it in sun in moist, fertile soil.

Watch out for

The main problem in Central Europe is plum pox virus (sharka): it is widespread in home gardens too, is spread by aphids and infected grafting wood, and an infected tree cannot be cured. On susceptible cultivars (above all Besztercei) the fruit becomes blotched, rubbery and inedible and drops before ripening, so buy certified virus-free trees and prefer tolerant cultivars (Stanley, Čačanska lepotica, Čačanska najbolja). Plum moth makes the fruit maggoty and plum sawflies make young fruitlets drop; brown rot (Monilia) kills blossom and shoots and rots fruit on the tree, red leaf spot and shot hole damage the leaves, and aphids distort the shoots. A healthy crop needs a late-winter wash and a few targeted sprays a year (against Monilia at flowering, plum moth from June, aphids in spring), and fallen and mummified fruit must be collected. The crown gets congested quickly and needs thinning every year; prune in dry weather and seal larger cuts. Late spring frost can take the blossom, branches may break under a heavy crop, fruit drops in prolonged drought, and suckers must be removed at the base.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 4 m × 3.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April, white

All details

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	4 m × 3.5 m
Ultimate size	3–6 m × 3–6 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April, white
Harvest	July–September
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 4 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	500 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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