Santa Rosa Plum
Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa'
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Tree
Height
240 inches
Width
240 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Medium
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
20-30 years
Native To
China
Toxicity
Pits contain cyanogenic glycosides
The Story
Plant Bio
Prunus salicina, or Japanese plum, are small to medium-sized deciduous trees cultivated for their juicy, sweet fruit and ornamental spring blossoms that appear before the leaves. 'Santa Rosa' is a world-famous, self-fertile variety developed by Luther Burbank. It is prized for its large, reddish-purple plums with exceptionally sweet, fragrant, and juicy amber-colored flesh, making it a home orchard favorite.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site with full sun and excellent air circulation.
- Ensure the soil is well-drained; amend if necessary.
- Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system without bending.
- For bare-root trees, create a mound in the hole to spread roots over.
- Plant so the graft union is 2-3 inches above the final soil level.
- Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to conserve moisture.
Pro Tip
Thin fruit to one plum every 4-6 inches when they are dime-sized. This results in larger, higher-quality fruit and prevents branch breakage.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Provide consistent water, especially during fruit development.
- Prune annually to maintain an open, vase-like shape for sun penetration.
- Monitor for pests like plum curculio and diseases like brown rot.
- Thin fruit to improve size and quality.
- Clean up fallen fruit and leaves to reduce disease pressure.
Don't
- Don't plant in heavy, waterlogged soil.
- Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can reduce fruit yield.
- Don't allow weeds or grass to compete at the base of the tree.
- Avoid damaging the bark with mowers or trimmers.
- Don't skip dormant season sprays if pests were a problem previously.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilize | ||||||||||||
| Harvest | ||||||||||||
| Prune | ||||||||||||
| Spray |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Santa Rosa Plum questions
What zones can Santa Rosa Plum grow in?
Santa Rosa Plum is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Santa Rosa Plum deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Santa Rosa Plum, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Santa Rosa Plum bloom?
Santa Rosa Plum typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Santa Rosa Plum need full sun?
Santa Rosa Plum does best in full sun (6+ hours).
Is Santa Rosa Plum drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Santa Rosa Plum handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Prunus to compare
Black Cherry
Prunus serotina
Sugar Plum
Prunus domestica 'Sugar Plum'
Japanese Flowering Cherry
Prunus serrulata
Feiching Tao White Peach
Prunus persica 'Feiching Tao White'
Sweet Cherry
Prunus avium 'Mix'
Hale Haven Peach
Prunus persica 'Hale Haven'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
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Hardy in your zone?
Grow Santa Rosa Plum with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
