How to Grow Plums
Prunus domestica
Productive stone-fruit trees in cold-hardy European and juicy Japanese types.
By the Plants by Zone Editorial Team · Reviewed June 1, 2026
About plums
Plums come in two main camps: hardy, often self-fertile European plums (great for cold zones and drying) and larger, juicier Japanese plums that bloom early and usually need a pollinator. Both are productive orchard trees that benefit from fruit thinning and a little pruning. Choose the type that suits your climate.
When to plant and harvest plums
Timing is relative to your frost dates. Find your USDA zone for exact dates, or browse the month-by-month calendars.
Start seeds indoors
Not applicable — plant a grafted tree
Transplant outdoors
Late winter to early spring while dormant
Direct sow
Not applicable
Harvest
Mid-to-late summer
How to grow plums step by step
- 1
Match the type to your climate: European plums for cold zones, Japanese for milder areas — and check whether your variety needs a pollinator.
- 2
Plant dormant trees in full sun with good drainage.
- 3
Train Japanese plums to an open center and European types to a central leader.
- 4
Thin fruit to 4–6 in apart for size and to prevent limb breakage.
- 5
Water steadily through fruit development.
- 6
Remove and destroy any mummified or rotting fruit to limit brown rot.
Common problems growing plums
⚠ Lots of bloom, little fruit
Japanese plums usually need a compatible pollinator, and early blooms can be caught by frost — plant a partner and a frost-sheltered spot.
⚠ Branches break under fruit
Thin the crop to 4–6 in apart and prop or prune heavily laden limbs.
⚠ Brown rot on ripening fruit
Prune for airflow, remove mummies, and pick promptly in humid weather.
✗ Keep away from
🧺 Harvesting plums
Pick plums when they’re fully colored, slightly soft, and come away with a gentle twist — a dusty bloom on the skin is a good sign. European plums for drying can hang until very sweet; dessert plums are best picked just ripe and eaten fresh.
Plums: frequently asked questions
Do plum trees need a pollinator?＋
It depends on the type — many European plums are self-fertile, while most Japanese plums need a second compatible variety nearby to fruit well.
Should I thin plums?＋
Yes — thinning to 4–6 inches apart gives larger fruit and stops heavy crops from snapping the branches.
Grow plums in your zone
See exactly when to plant and what else to grow alongside plums, tailored to your USDA hardiness zone.
