Plant Profile
Cherry plumPrunus cerasifera
Robust fruit tree with early blossoms and sweet-tart fruits.
Quick profile
Key data
Suitable growing locations:
Good neighbors
NasturtiumChivesGarlicComfrey
Avoid
Walnut treePotato
Indoor & direct sowing
Cherry plum: Sowing and germination
Not applicable for cherry plums. Cultivation is usually by grafting or planting young trees.
Sowing seeds in autumn (for natural stratification) or in spring after artificial stratification. For home gardeners, planting young trees is more common.
Planting & site
Cherry plum: Planting and spacing
Young trees are planted in autumn after leaf fall or in early spring before bud break.
Temperature & frost
Cherry plum: Temperature and site
Water & nutrients
Cherry plum: Water, nutrients and care
Container & growth
Cherry plum: Container, support and growth
Year plan
Cherry plum Calendar
In early spring, the cherry plum transforms into a sea of white blossoms, magically attracting bees.
Recurring tasks
Relevant now
June
- Start HarvestFrüchte sind reif und lösen sich leicht vom Stiel: Harvest regularly to avoid overripe fruits.
Next up
July
- Main HarvestFrüchte sind reif: Ideal for fresh consumption, jam, or juice.
Monthly tasks
Single tasks from monthly data; repeated seasonal windows are shown in the overview above.
January
Quiet month
February
Pruning
- Winter PruningVor dem Austrieb, bei frostfreiem Wetter: Thinning and shaping for older trees.
March
Growing
- Spring FertilizationVor dem Austrieb: Incorporate compost or organic all-purpose fertilizer into the root area.
Pruning
- Formative PruningBei jungen Bäumen, vor dem Austrieb: For good crown development and fruit set.
April
No additional single task
May
Growing
- MulchingNach dem Austrieb: Helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
June
Harvest
- Start HarvestFrüchte sind reif und lösen sich leicht vom Stiel: Harvest regularly to avoid overripe fruits.
August
Harvest
- End HarvestAlle reifen Früchte geerntet: Process remaining fruits.
September
Quiet month
October
No additional single task
November
Growing
- Apply Winter ProtectionVor dem ersten starken Frost, besonders für junge Bäume: Protect trunk from frost cracks and animal browsing.
December
Quiet month
Flowering & pollination
Cherry plum Flowering & pollination
Flowering period
March to April
Flower color
White
Self-fertility
self-fertile
Pollinator needed
no
Overview
Cherry plum is generally self-fertile, but cross-pollination can improve yield.
Notes
Bees and other insects are important pollinators. Planting pollinator-friendly plants nearby can promote fruit set.
Pruning & care
Cherry plum Pruning & care
Pruning type
mixed_pruning
Pruning timing
Formative and shaping pruning, major corrections Before bud break, on frost-free days. Promotes vigorous growth in spring. Use with caution for Prunus species to minimize diseases.
Thinning, correction, growth reduction, promoting fruit ripening After harvest. Reduces the risk of gummosis and silver leaf disease. Promotes the formation of flower buds for the following year.
Remove
Preserve
Avoid
Tools and hygiene
Always use sharp and clean pruning tools. Disinfect tools between trees to prevent the spread of diseases.
Companion guide
Cherry plum Companion guide
Good neighbors
NasturtiumChivesGarlicComfreyDandelionStrawberriesYarrow
Avoid
Walnut treePotato
Use & storage
Cherry plum Use & storage
Fruits ripen from late June to August, depending on variety and location.
Storage
Short-term
Storage life
1-2 days at room temperature, up to a week in the refrigerator.
Flavor
Sweet-tart, aromatic, sometimes slightly astringent.
Harvest
Fruits ripen from late June to August, depending on variety and location.
Processing
After harvest
Handle fruits carefully to avoid bruising. Cool quickly and process or store.
Edibility & safety
Cherry plum Edibility & safety
For people
In brief: which parts are edible, which parts remain risky, and whether raw consumption makes sense.
Safety notes
Cherry plum seeds contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides, which can release hydrogen cyanide if consumed in large quantities. They should not be eaten.
Animal safety
The evidence for this plant and animals is still limited. Check the detail rows before allowing access or feeding.
Each row shows which parts are more suitable and which parts are critical.
Companion animals
DogNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
RabbitNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
Guinea pigNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
HamsterNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
BudgieNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
Farm animals
HorseNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
ChickenNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
DuckNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
GooseNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
SheepNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
GoatNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
CattleNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
PigNo suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
No suitable parts listed
No risk parts listed
These guidelines are for general information only and do not replace veterinary diagnosis. If critical plant parts were ingested or the animal shows unusual behaviour or symptoms, seek veterinary advice.
Max risk
unknown
Highest status
not established
Urgency
unknown
Saving seed
Cherry plum Saving seed
Seed saving
yes
Seed viability
1 - 2 years
Method
Extract seeds from ripe fruits, clean thoroughly, and dry. Then subject to cold stratification.
Germination notes
Sow in spring after stratification. Germination can take several weeks to months and is often not synchronous.
Notes
Germination can be erratic and requires patience. Cherry plum often grows true from seed, but cultivated varieties are usually grafted.
Practical tips
Cherry plum Practical tips
Common beginner mistakes
Success pattern
High-impact tips
Grower observations
Plant Profile
Additional plant images
Health
Pests, Diseases
Plant health
Diagnosis help
Cherry plum Diagnosis help
Pest groups
Disease groups
Prevention
Diagnosis
Observe the plant regularly for changes in leaves, shoots, blossoms, and fruits. Look for the presence of pests or unusual discolorations and growth patterns. If unsure, photos and a precise description of symptoms can aid in diagnosis.
Cultural prevention
Monitoring
First response
Diagnostic rules
Leaves and young shoots are sticky, often covered with small green or black insects.
Possible causes: Aphids
- Check undersides of leaves and shoot tips.
- Look for ladybugs or their larvae.
Fruits show brown, rotten spots with concentric spore cushions.
Possible causes: Monilia Fruit Rot
- Remove and examine infected fruits.
- Check for blossom blight on shoots.
Leaves have small, reddish-brown spots that later fall out, leaving holes.
Possible causes: Shot hole disease
- Check leaves for typical spots and holes.
- Check ventilation of the tree crown.
Resin exudation from trunk or branches.
Possible causes: Gummosis, Frost cracks, Bark beetle infestation, Fungal infections
- Examine the site of gum exudation for injuries or cracks.
- Check bark for boreholes or fungal infection.
FAQ
Is the cherry plum self-fertile?
Yes, the cherry plum is generally self-fertile. However, cross-pollination by another cherry plum or a compatible plum variety can improve the yield.
When is the best time to plant a cherry plum?
The best time to plant cherry plums is in autumn after leaf fall or in early spring before bud break, as long as the soil is frost-free.
What pests and diseases commonly affect cherry plums?
Common pests include aphids and the plum fruit moth. Common diseases are Monilia fruit rot and shot hole disease. Gummosis can also occur, often as a symptom of stress or injury.
Are cherry plum fruits edible?
Yes, cherry plum fruits are edible and have a sweet-tart taste. They are excellent for fresh consumption and for processing into jam, jelly, or juice. However, the pits should not be eaten.
Is Cherry plum safe for Dog?
Cherry plum is classified as not established for Dog. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Cherry plum safe for Cat?
Cherry plum is classified as not established for Cat. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Cherry plum safe for Rabbit?
Cherry plum is classified as not established for Rabbit. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Is Cherry plum safe for Guinea pig?
Cherry plum is classified as not established for Guinea pig. Risk: unknown. Urgency: unknown. No reliable species-specific assessment is available.
Guides
Related guides
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Internal links
Related plants
Apple tree
Both belong to the rose family (Rosaceae).
Belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae).
Plum
Both belong to the genus Prunus.
Both are stone fruits and cultivated as fruit trees.
Peach
Both are stone fruits and cultivated as fruit trees.
Belongs to the same genus Prunus and is a stone fruit.
Monilia Fruit Rot
Typical fungal disease for stone fruit.
Shot Hole Disease
Common in Prunus species.
Garden strawberry
Belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae).
Blackcurrant
Fruits are well suited for jam and juice.
Sources
Public sources
- Wikidata entity
Wikidata · 2026-05-13
- GBIF species match
GBIF · 2026-05-13
- Deutschsprachige Wikipedia: Kirschpflaume
Wikipedia · 2026-05-13
- English Wikipedia: Prunus cerasifera
Wikipedia · 2026-05-13