Members only
Unlock the Plant Library
Care guides for 220+ plants: light, water, soil, pets, seasonal calendars and troubleshooting. Enter the password from your welcome email to get in.
Plant Profiles / Purple-leaf plum
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Purple-leaf plum
Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' · Flowering plum, cherry plum
Deep burgundy foliage all season and clouds of pale pink blossom in late winter.
Full sunLight
WeeklyWater
EasyCare level
Care at a glance
Light
Full sun
ShadeFull sun
Sun keeps the leaves dark.
Water
Weekly
DryWet
Water in dry spells.
Humidity
Average
LowHigh
Adaptable.
Temperature
-15–38°C (5–100°F)
CoolWarm
Hardy.
Growth
Moderate
SlowFast
Grows 5–7 m.
Soil
Free-draining soil
LeanRich
Most soils.
Fertiliser
Spring
RarelyOften
Slow-release fertiliser.
Pet safety
Toxic
SafeToxic
Leaves, stems and seeds toxic to pets.
About this plant
A popular street and garden tree, purple-leaf plum gives rich colour contrast. It's tough, fast and copes with most soils.
Best spots
Gardens, nature strips, courtyards and large pots.
Plant facts
| Botanical name | Prunus cerasifera 'Nigra' |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Origin | Garden cultivar |
| Plant type | Deciduous tree |
| Mature size | 5–7 m |
| Growth rate | Moderate |
| Flowers | Pale pink blossom |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
| Propagation | Grafting |
Seasonal care calendar
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Plant
Flowering
Prune
Fertilise
PlantFloweringPruneFertilise
Based on Southern Hemisphere seasons.
Troubleshooting
| Green leaves | More sun. |
| Gummy bark | Stress or borers. |
| Suckers | Remove. |
| Leaf spot | Improve airflow. |
Common questions
Does it fruit?
Small plums sometimes.
Is it pet safe?
No.
Is it deciduous?
Yes.
Can it grow in a pot?
When young.
