American Plum
Prunus americana
Also listed as Cerasus americana, Cerasus canadensis
Also known as American Wild Plum, American Red Plum, Goose Plum
Climate Match for your location
See how well American Plum grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
A native North American tree producing clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring followed by edible red to yellow plums. Hardy and wildlife-friendly, it tolerates poor soils and serves well in permaculture systems for food and habitat.
Why grow it
American plum produces reliable fruit yields with minimal inputs compared to grafted European plum varieties, making it valuable for low-maintenance food production systems. It establishes quickly on marginal soils where other stone fruits struggle, and its early spring flowers provide reliable forage for native pollinators before many other plants leaf out. The species also supports wildlife through its fruit and dense growth habit, functioning both as food source and habitat within permaculture designs.
Watch out for
Fruit ripening can be uneven across the season, requiring multiple harvests rather than one concentrated picking. Volunteer seedlings may appear beyond the drip line, which some growers manage through mulching or occasional removal depending on site goals.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Central and Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native North American tree producing clusters of fragrant white flowers in spring followed by edible red to yellow plums. Hardy and wildlife-friendly, it tolerates poor soils and serves well in permaculture systems for food and habitat.
Climate Match for your location
See how well American Plum grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
American plum produces reliable fruit yields with minimal inputs compared to grafted European plum varieties, making it valuable for low-maintenance food production systems. It establishes quickly on marginal soils where other stone fruits struggle, and its early spring flowers provide reliable forage for native pollinators before many other plants leaf out. The species also supports wildlife through its fruit and dense growth habit, functioning both as food source and habitat within permaculture designs.
Watch out for
Fruit ripening can be uneven across the season, requiring multiple harvests rather than one concentrated picking. Volunteer seedlings may appear beyond the drip line, which some growers manage through mulching or occasional removal depending on site goals.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Central and Eastern North America
Native to: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar sub-canopy trees you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.