European Plum (Prunus domestica)

How much light does a European Plum need?

European plum, Prunus domestica, grows best in full sun. Full sun means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. It is the only outdoor light level listed for this tree. Choose a planting site where direct sun reaches the tree for at least that many hours each day.

• Light: Full sun¹

How often to water a European Plum

Water needs for this tree are medium. Young fruit trees need 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) of water a week. Either rainwater or irrigation can supply that amount. The soil should be both well drained and moist. The weekly figure applies to young trees, and no cited source gives a separate amount for older trees.

• Water: Medium²

Best soil for a European Plum

Deep, well-drained soil is what this tree prefers. The texture can range from a sandy loam to a sandy clay loam. The listed drainage is both well drained and moist. Good drainage is named as a need for this tree. The preferred soil pH is between 6.0 and 6.5. Put together, the target is deep, well-drained soil in the pH 6–6.5 range.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^1,3
• Soil pH: pH 6–6.5³

Hardiness and temperature

USDA hardiness zones 4a to 9b are listed for this tree. The listed zones are 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a and 9b. A gardener in zone 3 or colder is outside the listed range. No cited source records a minimum temperature for this tree. Humidity is not documented on this page either.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–9b¹

Pruning a European Plum

The pruning type listed for European plum is light shaping. Start dormant pruning after February 1, since that timing lowers the risk of bacterial canker infection. Bacterial canker is among the diseases recorded for this tree. Dormant pruning is the only timing described, and no other pruning window is listed. No heavier cut, such as renewal pruning, is described.

• Pruning: Light shaping (Feb)³

How to plant a European Plum

This is a tree, and it suits USDA zones 4a to 9b. Give it room for a mature height of 15–20 ft (4.57–6.1 m) and a spread of 10–20 ft (3.05–6.1 m). Plant it where it gets full sun, with soil that is deep and well drained. It is a deciduous tree with white flowers and edible purple stone fruits. Its growth rate is moderate.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–9b¹

Winter care

The tree is deciduous. Its listed hardiness range runs from zone 4a at the cold end to zone 9b at the warm end. No cited source records a minimum temperature for the tree. No cited source describes winter protection, so this page does not give any. Check your own zone against the listed range before you plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 4a–9b¹

Common problems

Codling moth is the main insect listed for European plum, but webworms, mites and borers can affect it. The list also includes plum curculio, which causes wormy fruit, peachtree borer, aphids, San Jose scale and spotted wing drosophila. Brown rot is the most common disease, and powdery mildew and rusts can appear too. Black knot, bacterial canker, coryneum blight and plum pockets are also listed.

• Common pests: codling moth, webworms, spider mites, borers, plum curculio, peachtree borer, aphids, san jose scale and spotted wing drosophila^1,3,2
• Common diseases: brown rot, powdery mildew, rust, black knot, bacterial canker, coryneum blight and plum pockets^1,3,2

Questions and answers

Is European plum toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists European plum as toxic to cats and as toxic to dogs. This page does not name the affected parts or give a severity level.

How much sun does a European plum need?

It needs full sun, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Full sun is the only outdoor light level listed for this tree.

How big does a European plum tree get?

A mature tree is 15–20 ft (4.57–6.1 m) tall, with a spread of 10–20 ft (3.05–6.1 m). The growth rate is listed as moderate.