Ume (Chinese plum) Prunus mume
Ume (Chinese plum) (Prunus mume) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family, native to Southern China. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -20 °C (-4 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Ume (Chinese plum) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ume (Chinese plum) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 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 -20 °C (-4 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: pickled or processed ripe fruit |
| Native to | Southern China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Ume (Chinese plum) toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: unripe fruit, pits, leaves
Leaves, bark and pits contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin) that can release cyanide if chewed in quantity. Raw unripe fruit and pits should never be eaten; the fruit is traditionally cured or pickled.
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 Ume (Chinese 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
See Ume (Chinese plum) in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (1 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (1 plants)
- China National Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Missouri Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (1 plants)
Questions about Ume (Chinese plum)
- How far apart should I plant Ume (Chinese plum)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Ume (Chinese plum) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ume (Chinese plum) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Ume (Chinese plum)?
- It tolerates about -20 °C (-4 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Ume (Chinese plum) flower?
- From about March for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Ume (Chinese 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. Raw unripe fruit and pits should never be eaten; the fruit is traditionally cured or pickled.
- What grows well with Ume (Chinese 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
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
Notes and assumptions
- Flowers in late winter on bare wood, so blossoms are often frost-hit; chill roughly 400-800 hours (estimate); fragrant ornamental and fruiting cultivars both exist.
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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