Shrub
Natal Plum
Carissa macrocarpa
Monrovia® varieties
Varieties We Carry
Emerald BlanketCarissa macrocarpaMac TomlinsonCarissa macrocarpaMonrovia
Sizes & Pricing
#1MonroviaFrom$29.95
3 galFrom$14.95
7 galFrom$59.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Jun 15.
LightFull Sun, Part Shade
WaterLow
Mature size5-7 feet × 5-8 feet ; dwarf varieties: 2-4 feet tall
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
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season.
Ideal planting window.
Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Light
Natal plum thrives in full sun and tolerates part shade; maximum sun encourages the best flower and fruit production.
Water
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.
Soil & Fertilizer
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.
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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.