🟣 Plum
Prunus salicina
Japanese plums, Gulf Coast rules — low chill, big flavor, zero apologies.
Sun
Full sun
Days to harvest
2–4 years to fruit
Spacing
15–20 feet apart
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
How to grow
Florida plums mean the Gulf series — 'Gulfrose,' 'Gulfblaze' — bred for low chill and our special brand of humidity. Most need a pollination partner, so plant two compatible varieties. Prune to an open center for airflow; our fungal pressure is not a drill.
Water & feeding
Consistent moisture during fruit development; mulch to keep roots cool and even.
Common problems
- Brown rot on ripening fruit in wet weather — thin and improve airflow
- Plum curculio scars young fruit with crescent bites
- Bacterial canker — prune in dry weather, sterilize tools
Harvest
Pick when fully colored and slightly soft — plums go from perfect to fermented in about 48 hours, so check daily.
Nerdy fact: Plums, peaches, cherries, and almonds are all Prunus — one genus, endless drama. The stone fruit family reunion would need a very large table.