Prunus Salicina "Plum Santa Rosa" 10Liter

Plum ‘Santa Rosa’

Botanical Name

Prunus salicina ‘Santa Rosa’

Common Names

• Santa Rosa Plum
• Japanese Plum ‘Santa Rosa’

Product Description

The ‘Santa Rosa’ Plum is one of the most popular and reliable Japanese plum varieties, valued for its sweet, juicy flesh and rich, aromatic flavour. It produces medium-sized fruit with reddish-purple skin and amber to red flesh, making it highly desirable for fresh eating as well as preserves.

This variety is well-suited to South African conditions, offering good adaptability, consistent yields, and relatively low chill requirements compared to many traditional plum cultivars. It is also partially self-fertile, although yields improve significantly with cross-pollination.

A vigorous grower with an attractive spreading habit, ‘Santa Rosa’ is an excellent addition to home orchards and edible gardens.

Size When Fully Grown

• Height: 3–5 m
• Spread: 3–4 m
• Can be maintained smaller with pruning

Best Growing Conditions (South Africa)

• Full sun (essential for fruit production)
• Well-drained, fertile soil
• Moderate watering, especially during fruit development
• Requires winter chilling (best suited to cooler regions or Highveld conditions)
• Protect from strong winds during flowering

Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)

• Best planting time: Winter (June–August) for bare-root trees
• Flowering: Late winter to early spring (August–September)
• Harvest: Early to mid-summer (November–December, region dependent)

Pollination

• Partially self-fertile
• Better yields with a pollination partner such as:
  • ‘Methley’
  • ‘Beauty’
  • ‘Mariposa’

Additional Benefits

• Early-bearing and reliable cropper
• Excellent flavour for fresh eating
• Suitable for jams, preserves, and desserts
• Attractive ornamental blossoms in spring
• Adaptable to a range of climates within South Africa

Ideal Uses

• Home orchards
• Edible gardens
• Small-scale fruit production
• Fresh consumption and processing
• Feature tree with seasonal interest