Natal Plum
Carissa macrocarpa
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Jul 25, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Natal Plum
Natal plum (Carissa macrocarpa) is a thorny, salt-tolerant evergreen shrub from South Africa bearing fragrant white star flowers and ornamental red edible fruits nearly year-round. It is zone 9b hardy and well-suited to barrier hedges, foundation plantings, and coastal landscapes throughout NE Florida. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer
- Flower Color
- White
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Alkaline, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Natal plum thrives in full sun and tolerates part shade; maximum sun encourages the best flower and fruit production.
Drought-tolerant once established; requires little to no supplemental irrigation in NE Florida's summer rainfall pattern. Excellent drainage is essential — root rot occurs in wet soils.
Grows in sandy, loamy, or alkaline well-drained soils without special amendment; light slow-release fertilizer application in spring is sufficient. Highly salt-tolerant, making it ideal for coastal NE Florida sites.
Similar needs
Oleander
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Texas Sage
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Railroad Vine
Shares 6 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Simpson's Stopper
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Autograph Tree
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, and zone 9a hardiness.
Buttonwood
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, sandy, salt tolerance, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Natal Plum a good plant for St. Augustine?
Natal Plum is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, with high salt tolerance, reaching 5-7 feet × 5-8 feet ; dwarf varieties: 2-4 feet tall.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed February 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.