Is the Natal Plum fruit safe to eat?

Yes, but only when it is fully ripe and deep red.

Prune after flowering to maintain shape, but wear thick gloves to avoid the thorns.

Plant guide

Natal Plum.

Carissa macrocarpa

Pronounced kuh-RISS-uh mak-roh-KAR-puh

Also known as Amantungula Numnum, Amantungulu, Amatungulu, Big Numnum, Large Num-num, Natal Plum, Natal-plum, Num-num

Carissa macrocarpa — Photo by serni bams (CC BY) via gbif

The Natal plum is a tough, evergreen shrub that produces fragrant white flowers and edible red fruit. It makes a fantastic hedge because of its dense growth and sharp thorns. You will find it thrives in warm climates and handles coastal conditions like a champ.

Another photo of Natal Plum — Photo by Richard Littauer (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 meters
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Spring to autumn

Care

Keep this plant in a sunny spot and let the soil dry out slightly between waterings. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Prune it occasionally to maintain its shape and manage those sharp thorns.

Watering: Allow the top few centimeters of soil to dry out before watering again.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back after fruiting to maintain size and encourage denser growth.
Repotting: Repot when the roots fill the container or the soil becomes compacted.
Soil: Well draining sandy or loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: 0 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 plus years.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains a milky sap that is toxic if ingested and can cause irritation.
Pets: The plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs, though the thorns can cause physical injury.
Children: The sharp, Y shaped thorns pose a significant puncture risk to small children, and the milky sap is harmful if ingested.
Contact allergens: The milky latex sap can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The fragrant flowers may trigger mild respiratory symptoms in those with severe floral allergies.
Edibility: Only the fully ripe, soft red fruit is considered edible, as unripe fruit and other plant parts contain toxic latex.

How to identify it

Dark green leathery leaves
Sharp Y shaped thorns
Fragrant star shaped white flowers
Bright red edible plum like fruit

Height: 0.6 to 2m
Spread: 0.6 to 2m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: red, Summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
AphidsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Move containers indoors before the first frost. In the ground, cover with frost cloth if a rare freeze is expected.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, provided they have excellent drainage and at least a 40 cm diameter.

Stem cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from new growth.
2. Dip the end in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a well draining potting mix.
4. Keep warm and humid until rooted.

Pair with other salt tolerant shrubs to create a low maintenance coastal barrier.

Grows well with

Hibiscus — They share similar tropical climate requirements and look great together.
Lantana — Both plants are drought tolerant and attract pollinators.

Similar species

Star Jasmine — Shares similar fragrant white flowers.

Science

Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Carissa
Order: Gentianales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Coastal regions of South Africa.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in coastal dunes and scrubland by tolerating salt spray and sandy soils.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides nesting cover
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: ornamental hedge, edible fruit, coastal landscaping, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Temperature: 8/9
Salinity: 7/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 4/9
Light: 8/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is the Natal Plum fruit safe to eat?: Yes, but only when it is fully ripe and deep red.
How do I prune it?: Prune after flowering to maintain shape, but wear thick gloves to avoid the thorns.

Where the name comes from

Carissa is derived from the Indian name for the plant, while macrocarpa refers to its large fruit.

Good to know

The fruit tastes similar to a cranberry and is often used in jams or jellies.
It is commonly known as the Natal Plum.
The plant is highly salt tolerant, making it perfect for seaside gardens.
It produces flowers that have a lovely jasmine like scent.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.