How to Grow Natal Plum
Carissa macrocarpa
Natal plum is a tough subtropical evergreen that flowers and fruits almost year-round, bearing fragrant jasmine-like white blooms and sweet-tart red berries rich in vitamin C. In the UK it needs a sheltered warm spot or container culture, as it is damaged below -2C. Plant in well-drained soil in full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. The spiny growth makes an excellent security hedge in warm gardens. Use ripe fruit fresh, in juice, or in jam. All parts except ripe fruit are mildly toxic.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Spring with a balanced fertiliser. Light feed in early summer to support fruiting. Avoid high nitrogen which promotes leafy growth over fruit.
Watch For
- Scale insects
- Mealybugs
- Frost damage (tender below -2C)
- Root rot in waterlogged soil
Companions
Agapanthus, Rosemary, Plumbago
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun for best fruiting
Needs full sun for maximum flowering and fruit production. Tolerates light shade but yields drop significantly. In the UK, a south-facing wall provides essential warmth.
Watering
Drought-tolerant once established
Very drought-tolerant once established. Water regularly during the first year. Avoid waterlogged soil which causes root rot. Container plants need more frequent watering.
Fertilizing
Balanced feed in spring
Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and a light feed in early summer to support fruiting. Avoid high nitrogen which promotes leafy growth over fruit.
Pruning
After harvest, can be hedged hard
Prune after the main harvest or in spring. Can be clipped hard as a formal hedge. Remove crossing branches and dead wood. Wear thick gloves as spines are very sharp.
Growing Tips
Flowers and fruit together
Natal plum bears fragrant white flowers and ripe red fruit simultaneously on the same plant — a beautiful and productive combination. The flowers are pollinated by hawk moths and bees.
Excellent jam fruit
Ripe fruit is high in pectin and sets easily into firm, jewel-red jam. Harvest when fully red and slightly soft. The flavour is cranberry-like with a hint of apple.
Security hedge
The dense, spiny growth makes natal plum one of the best security hedges for warm gardens. Clip to shape after flowering. Wear thick gloves — the thorns are long and sharp.
Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 200 cm |
| Row spacing | 200 cm |
| Mature height | 300 cm |
| Mature spread | 250 cm |
Evergreen shrub reaching 2-4m. Can be grown as a dense hedge or specimen shrub. Space 2m apart for hedging, 3m as a specimen. Sharp spines — wear gloves.
