How far apart should I plant Japanese plum?

About 4.5 m (15 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3.5–5.5 m (11–18 ft).

Does Japanese plum need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Japanese plum need?

Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.

How cold-hardy is Japanese plum?

It tolerates about -26 °C (-15 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.

When does Japanese plum flower?

From about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

What grows well with Japanese plum?

Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.

Japanese plum Prunus salicina

Japanese plum (Prunus salicina) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family, native to China (cultivated in Japan for centuries). It grows 3.5–6 m (11–20 ft) tall and 3.5–5.5 m (11–18 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -26 °C (-15 °F). Space plants about 4.5 m (15 ft) apart.

Plan Japanese plum in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Japanese plum at a glance

Type	Perennial fruit plant, deciduous
Family	Rosaceae
Mature height	3.5–6 m (11–20 ft)
Mature spread	3.5–5.5 m (11–18 ft)
Spacing	4.5 m (15 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low
Soil pH	6–7
Cold hardiness	About -26 °C (-15 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5)
Heat stress	Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F)
Flowering	from about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Low
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Yes: fruit
Native to	China (cultivated in Japan for centuries)
Common in gardens of	🇯🇵 Japan, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇰🇷 South Korea

Is Japanese plum toxic?

People: moderately toxic
Cats: moderately toxic
Dogs: moderately toxic
Parts: pits, leaves, bark

Leaves, bark and pits contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin) that can release cyanide if chewed in quantity. The ripe flesh is safe.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with Japanese plum

Good neighbours

good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D

Shared pests and diseases

Brown rot: Monilinia brown rot moves between cherries, plums, peaches and apricots. Evidence B
Xylella fastidiosa: Insect-spread bacterium (EU quarantine pest) hitting olive, lavender, rosemary, oleander, Prunus and citrus. Evidence B

Questions about Japanese plum

How far apart should I plant Japanese plum?: About 4.5 m (15 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3.5–5.5 m (11–18 ft).
Does Japanese plum need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Japanese plum need?: Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
How cold-hardy is Japanese plum?: It tolerates about -26 °C (-15 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
When does Japanese plum flower?: From about April for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Japanese plum poisonous to cats and dogs?: For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Leaves, bark and pits contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin) that can release cyanide if chewed in quantity. The ripe flesh is safe.
What grows well with Japanese plum?: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).

RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
UC IPM degree-day models and pest notes, University of California
FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO

Notes and assumptions

Blooms early, so spring frost often limits crops in cold areas; most cultivars need a pollination partner. Chill about 250-900 hours by cultivar.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

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