Native & adapted

Natal plum

Carissa macrocarpa

Also known as Carissa · Amatungulu

A common Phoenix landscape shrub with glossy leaves, fragrant white star flowers and edible red fruit. Thorny, salt tolerant and easy.

EdibleFruitingHedgeEvergreenThornyPollinator

Landscape layersHedging · Understory · Ground cover

Mature size

2–8 ft tall and 3–8 ft wide depending on variety

Climate fit

Urban core · USDA 9b–10a · Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b · Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b

Plant spacing

3–5 ft apart for a hedge

Frost

Damaged below about 26°F; usually recovers.

Special categories

EDIBLE · POLLINATOR ATTRACTING

Hardiness guidance

USDA 9b–11; damaged below about 26°F

Winter chill

None

Typical harvest

Fruit forms off and on through much of the year, heaviest in summer.

Before you plant

These conditions determine whether it will thrive.

Soil chemistry

Tolerates alkaline, sandy and salty soil.

Required microclimate

Placement is part of the growing system.

Hedges, foundation plantings and patio edges.

Cold hardiness

Cover while young

Leaves are injured below about 26°F and may redden in a cold snap, but they green back up in spring. Established plants are fine; cover young ones on frost nights.

Leaves and wood: damaged below 26°F

Heat tolerance

Shade from late-afternoon sun

Sun-loving, but heat stressed above about 113°F, and branches can suddenly die back when Phoenix hits 118°F. Avoid the hottest reflected west walls.

Sources:

asu.edu

Right plant, right place

Will Natal plum grow at your Arizona property?

Dwarf forms are often used as groundcover or low hedges. The milky sap and thorns can irritate skin.

Best regional fit: Urban core · USDA 9b–10a, Valley suburbs · USDA 9a–9b, Desert outskirts · USDA 8b–9b.

Light

Sun exposure

Full sun to part shade; afternoon shade in the hottest spots.

Water

Irrigation

Low to moderate. Deep water weekly in summer.

Fruit set

Pollination

Mostly self-fertile; hand pollinating or a second plant improves fruit set. Moths visit the night-scented flowers.

Harvest

How to use it

Ripe fruit tastes like a tart cranberry; eat fresh or make sauce and jelly. Only the ripe fruit is edible.

Planting & stewardship

How to help Natal plum thrive

1
Prune to shape; sheared hedges flower and fruit less.
2
Wear gloves; the forked spines are sharp.
3
Water deeply and infrequently once established.
4
Cover in hard freezes below about 26°F.

Read the horticultural reference ↗