Print This Page
Blooms appear in spring before leaves.
Plum, Mexican
Prunus mexicana
The Mexican Plum is a Texas native small deciduous tree that adds both ornamental beauty and seasonal interest to landscapes. It is well adapted to Central and North Texas, tolerating a range of soils including alkaline clays and rocky limestone, provided drainage is good. This tree is valued for its early spring white blooms, which often appear before the leaves and can brighten up the landscape after winter. Mexican Plum is a modest grower, typically reaching 15 to 25 feet tall and 15 to 20 feet wide, making it a good choice for smaller urban or residential yards.
In the landscape, the Mexican Plum works well as a specimen tree, near patios, or in mixed native plantings where its spring flowers and fall fruit add interest. Its fruit is edible, though tart, and often attracts wildlife such as birds and small mammals. The seeds to belong in the plum family, and can be toxic to pets if ingested. The tree is also deer-tolerant once established and provides excellent seasonal shade despite its relatively compact size. It thrives in full sun to part shade, but best flowering and fruiting occur with at least six hours of sunlight.
From a growing standpoint, Mexican Plum does not adapt well to long-term container production beyond a 1" caliper size and can decline if overwatered, so good drainage is critical. For landscapers, smaller container-grown trees are best for installation, but larger specimens are available from growers who specialize in in-ground field production and bag-and-burlap methods. These larger trees establish most successfully when installed during the cooler months of fall through early spring.
In terms of winter care, Mexican Plum is hardy across much of Texas, including areas that see regular freezes. However, young trees may benefit from protection against extreme cold snaps. Mulching around the base can help insulate the root zone, and avoiding late-season fertilization helps the tree harden off properly before winter. Once established, it is reliably cold-hardy without special care.
 |
Fragrant blooms |
|
Texas native |
|
Wildlife value |
Flower Color:White
|
 |
Height:15-25 Feet
|
|
Spread:15-20 Feet
|
|
Spacing:15 Feet
|
USDA Hardiness Zone 6a
Available Sizes:
| Item |
Description |
| PLU-MEX-03 |
#005 PLUM, MEXICAN |
|
Characteristics & Attributes
|
Deer Tolerance
|
Exposure
| • |
Full Sun |
| • |
Full Sun to Part Shade |
|
Habit
|
Soil pH Preference
|
|
Water Needs
|
Texas Native
|
Tolerates Poor Drainage
|
Toxic to Pets
|
