Does it need a pollinator?

It is self fertile, but planting more than one can increase fruit yield.

How fast does it grow?

It is a relatively fast grower, often adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Plant guide

Cherry plum.

Prunus cerasifera

Pronounced PROO-nus seh-rah-SIF-er-uh

Also known as Cherry Plum, Cherry-plum

Prunus cerasifera — Photo by Bethany Milam (CC BY) via gbif

The cherry plum is a lovely deciduous tree that is often one of the first to bloom in early spring. It produces small, edible fruits and offers beautiful foliage colors ranging from green to deep purple. You will find it makes a wonderful ornamental addition to many gardens.

Another photo of Cherry plum — Photo by Roman A. Lagazyuk (Роман А. Лагазюк) (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 25 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Early spring

Care

Plant this tree in a spot that gets plenty of sun to encourage the best flowering and leaf color. Keep an eye out for aphids or scale insects on the branches. Ensure the soil drains well so the roots stay healthy.

Watering: Water deeply during the first few years to help the roots establish.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before new growth starts.
Pruning: Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to shape the canopy.
Repotting: If growing in a container, move to a larger pot every few years as it grows.
Soil: Well drained loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -28 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 20 to 30 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth despite regular feeding.

Safety

People: The leaves and seeds contain compounds that can release cyanide if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: The leaves and stems contain cyanogenic glycosides which are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The small, round fruits may pose a choking hazard to small children if they attempt to eat them whole.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen can trigger seasonal allergies in some people during the early spring bloom.
Edibility: The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and should not be ingested.

How to identify it

Small white or pink flowers
Smooth reddish or dark bark
Oval shaped serrated leaves
Small round edible drupe fruits

Height: 4.5 to 9m
Spread: 3 to 6m
Leaves: green, purple, bronze, deciduous
Flowers: white, pale pink, 1.5 to 2.5cm
Fruit: red, yellow, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and cause leaf curling.
Black knot · Fungal infection causing rough, black, elongated galls on branches.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, grafting, seed
When to plant: early spring, late autumn
Overwintering: No special protection is needed once established. Ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent root rot during wet winters.
In containers: It is not well suited for long term container growth due to its large size and extensive root system.

Softwood Cuttings

1. Take 10 to 15 centimeter cuttings in early summer.
2. Remove lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone.
3. Place in a pot with moist, well draining potting mix.
4. Cover with a plastic bag to maintain humidity until roots form.

Plant spring bulbs like daffodils beneath the canopy to take advantage of the light before the tree leaves out.

Grows well with

Lavender · It thrives in similar sunny conditions and attracts beneficial pollinators.
Catmint · This hardy perennial helps suppress weeds around the base of the tree.

Similar species

Purple Leaf Plum · This is a popular cultivar specifically grown for its deep purple foliage.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Prunus
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeastern Europe and Western Asia.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern as it is widely naturalized and cultivated.

It thrives in sunny, well drained sites and often colonizes forest edges or disturbed ground.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source, provides fruit for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental specimen, hedging, fruit preserves, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a pollinator?: It is self fertile, but planting more than one can increase fruit yield.
How fast does it grow?: It is a relatively fast grower, often adding 30 to 60 centimeters per year.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Prunus is the classical Latin name for the plum tree, while the species name cerasifera means cherry bearing.

Good to know

It is also known as the cherry plum.
The purple leaf varieties are popular for adding contrast to garden beds.
It is a common rootstock for other stone fruits.
The fruits are quite tart and best used in jams or jellies.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.