Growing beach plum
stone fruit
Pollination
Needs a second beach plum for a crop - a seedling group pollinates itself.
Growing it
Zones 3-7. A coastal native shrub that thrives in pure sand, salt spray and wind. Small tart plums, mostly used for jam and jelly.
Where beach plum grows best
Hardy in zones 3-7, and it needs enough winter cold - about 600-1000 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Also parts of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Beach Plum needs roughly 600–1000 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does beach plum grow in?
Beach Plum grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-7.
How many chill hours does beach plum need?
Roughly 600-1000 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does beach plum need a pollinator?
Needs a pollination partner. Needs a second beach plum for a crop - a seedling group pollinates itself.
Which states can grow beach plum?
Beach Plum suits most of Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland and 22 more, and parts of 14 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.