Heirloom

Santa Rosa Plum

Prunus salicina 'Santa Rosa'

Luther Burbank's masterpiece, this Japanese plum variety produces gorgeous deep purple-red fruits with sweet, juicy yellow flesh that epitomizes summer stone fruit perfection. Santa Rosa is one of the most widely planted plum varieties due to its reliable production, excellent flavor, and beautiful appearance that makes it irresistible both in the garden and on the table. This vigorous tree blooms early with showy white flowers and typically produces heavy crops that benefit from thinning.

Harvest

100-120d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Fruits are edible raw

☀️

Zones

5–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

20-33 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Santa Rosa Plum in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Santa Rosa Plum · Zones 5–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing15-20 feet apart

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.5

Water1-2 inches per week, regular watering during fruit development

SeasonSpring planting, mid to late summer harvest

FlavorSweet and juicy with pleasant tartness, rich plum flavor

ColorDeep purple-red skin with yellow flesh

Size2-2.5 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Fruits are edible raw or cooked. Fruit can be candied or made into a liqueur, pies, preserves or dried. Soil: Loam (Silt). Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 33 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet, 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Propagation: Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

The fruit is a red to purple juicy drupe 1.5 to 3 in. in diameter with yellow-pink flesh. Harvested in the summer

Color: Gold/Yellow, Pink. Type: Drupe. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits are edible raw or cooked. Fruit can be candied or made into a liqueur, pies, preserves or dried

Storage & Preservation

Store ripe Santa Rosa plums at room temperature for 2-3 days for immediate eating, or refrigerate for up to one week in the crisper drawer. For longer storage, pick fruits just before peak ripeness—they'll continue ripening at room temperature over several days.

For preservation, Santa Rosa's high sugar content and firm flesh make it ideal for jam-making and canning. Pit and quarter plums for freezing; their texture becomes soft after thawing but remains excellent for baking and sauces. The variety also produces exceptional dried plums (prunes) when dehydrated at 135°F for 18-24 hours until leathery.

Fresh plums can be fermented into wine or brandy, taking advantage of their natural sugars and complex flavor profile. Properly canned Santa Rosa plums maintain their taste and color for up to two years when processed using tested recipes.

History & Origin

Origin: Russia, China, Vietnam, Taiwan

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
+Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
+Edible: Fruits are edible raw or cooked. Fruit can be candied or made into a liqueur, pies, preserves or dried

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and Japanese beetles while attracting beneficial insects

Marigolds

Deters nematodes and aphids, attracts pollinators and beneficial predatory insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and compost

Lavender

Repels moths and flies, attracts pollinators, and provides aromatic pest deterrent

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, attracts beneficial predatory insects

White Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil, provides ground cover, and attracts pollinators

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and flying insects while deterring some fruit tree pests

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and ladybugs that control aphids and other soft-bodied pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill stone fruit trees

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of nearby plants including fruit trees

Tomatoes

Both susceptible to similar diseases and pests, creating concentrated disease pressure

Nutrition Facts

Calories

46kcal(2%)

Protein

0.7g(1%)

Fiber

1.4g(5%)

Carbs

11.4g(4%)

Fat

0.28g(0%)

Vitamin C

9.5mg(11%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Vitamin K

6.4mcg(5%)

Iron

0.17mg(1%)

Calcium

6mg(0%)

Potassium

157mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169949)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate disease resistance, susceptible to brown rot in humid conditions

Common Pests

Plum curculio, oriental fruit moth, aphids, scale insects

Diseases

Brown rot, bacterial canker, leaf spot, black knot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Santa Rosa plum take to bear fruit?▼

Santa Rosa plum trees typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting, with full production reached by year 6-8. As a vigorous variety, Santa Rosa often fruits earlier than many other plum types. Young trees may produce small crops in their second year, but it's best to remove these early fruits to allow the tree to establish a strong root system and framework.

Does Santa Rosa plum need a pollinator tree?▼

Santa Rosa is self-fertile and will produce fruit on its own, but yields improve significantly with cross-pollination from other Japanese plum varieties. Compatible pollinators include Beauty, Methley, and Burbank plums. Plant pollinators within 100 feet for best results, as bees readily transfer pollen between varieties that bloom at the same time.

Can you grow Santa Rosa plum in containers?▼

Santa Rosa plum can be grown in containers, but its vigorous nature makes this challenging. Use a container at least 24 inches wide and deep, choose dwarf rootstock if available, and expect more intensive pruning and root management. Container trees require consistent watering and feeding, and may need winter protection in colder zones where roots could freeze.

What does Santa Rosa plum taste like?▼

Santa Rosa plums offer exceptional flavor with sweet, juicy yellow flesh that has a pleasant tartness and rich, complex plum taste. The skin provides a slight astringency that balances the sweet flesh. When fully ripe, the texture is tender and melting with abundant juice, making it one of the finest dessert plums for fresh eating.

When should I plant Santa Rosa plum trees?▼

Plant Santa Rosa plum trees in early spring after the last frost date, when soil temperatures consistently stay above 50°F. In mild winter areas (zones 9-10), fall planting is also acceptable. Avoid planting during hot summer weather or when the ground is frozen, as these conditions stress newly planted trees and reduce establishment success.

How do you prevent brown rot on Santa Rosa plums?▼

Prevent brown rot by ensuring good air circulation through proper pruning, avoiding overhead watering, and removing all mummified fruits and infected plant debris. Apply preventive fungicide sprays during bloom and pre-harvest periods in humid climates. Thin fruits adequately to prevent touching, as spores spread rapidly between fruits in contact with each other.