Mexican Plum

Mexican plum makes a wonderful accent tree or shrub. It is a single-
trunked, non-suckering tree, generally growing to 15 or 20 ft. tall, but can
reach 35’. In spring before its leaves appear, the tree will cover itself with
1” white, fragrant flowers for 7 – 10 days, usually at the same time as the
redbuds. From July through September the plums turn from yellow to
mauve to purple as they ripen. The fruit can be eaten fresh or made into
preserves. Birds and mammals also eat the fruit.

Planting Sites: Mexican plum needs well-drained sand, loam, clay, or limestone soil. It can grow in dappled shade,
part shade, or full sun.

Planting Instructions: Space plants 20’ apart. Dig hole slightly larger than, but the same depth as the
nursery container. Carefully remove plant from container and gently loosen any compacted soil around the root
ball. Plant at the same depth as the soil in the container. Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch.

Watering Instructions: Water deeply after planting, using root stimulator according to directions. For at
least 3 months, continue to water deeply every 7-10 days to promote deep roots that will withstand drought. May
skip a watering after a rainfall of ½” to 1”. Once established, Mexican plum is very drought-tolerant.

Comments: Mexican plum needs protection from deer. It is the larval host for the Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and
Cecropia moth. The tree’s leaves occasionally turn yellow in the fall. It serves as the root stock for grafting
cultivated varieties of plums.

Planting and care instructions provided by the
Lindheimer Chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas.