7 Best Plum Trees To Grow In Georgia

Last updated: February 19, 2026

North Georgia gardens within USDA hardiness zones 7 and 8 have no problem growing plums. Several varieties of Japanese plums seem to grow best, including Methley, a sweet variety that ripens early in the season, or Morris, a fruit that is hard and sweet.

The plums that win for fresh eating are Spring Satins, Byrongolds, or Ruby Sweets. Those gardeners who enjoy eating green plums should consider Bruce Six Weeks, Robutso or Segundo as good choices.

The flowering of white or pink blossoms, accompanied by foliage sporting narrow, green leaves, makes plum blossoms a favorite early in the spring.

Once the blooms have faded, the grapes will begin to appear in the form of green fruits that reach about 2-3 inches in width once they are mature. It is not always possible to predict when plums will be ripe, but most of them mature from late July to August.

Plum trees grow better when planted in well-drained soil in an area with plenty of sunlight. As a rule of thumb, plum trees tend to be sterile, meaning that they cannot produce fruit without a second tree with which to pollinate them.

For this reason, gardeners need to plant two trees, or choose a self-pollinating tree if space is tight. The first year after trees are planted, they require heavy pruning to conform to their shape.

Geopride Plumcot Tree

A flavorful combination of an apricot and a plum tree, the Geoprince Plumcot Tree (Prunus x ‘Geo Pride’) is the perfect example of what they say, good things come in small packages! The best of both worlds, Geopride is beautiful and productive at the same time!

The skin is golden yellow and reddish-purple mottled, and the flesh is golden yellow! With the flavor of plums and apricots and its crisp texture, this is a truly amazing product.

Summer brings glossy and lush foliage to this petite tree. It’s the perfect setting for what’s to come! The mid-season harvest of this smaller tree provides a good yield of medium-sized fruit.

Candy Heart Pluerry™ Interspecific Plum Tree

It is a great combination of Japanese Plums and sweet Cherry fruits, and it forms heart-shaped candy-sweet fruits! Think about biting into a Cherry followed by a Plum – the taste and texture are the same, so imagine a Pluerry!

The skin of this fruit is dark purple splotched with dark speckles. Despite its amber-red color, the flesh is sweet and slightly tart. You’ll understand why it is called a Candy Heart as soon as you cut one in half. A mouthwatering red flesh with golden highlights will take your breath away! It also forms an adorable heart shape when cut in half!

The Pluerries of this tree are tiny stone fruits that produce a huge amount of fruit!

Its size is slightly smaller than a golf ball, which makes it a perfect size for popping in your mouth, preserving into jams or jellies, or baking into pies.

Featuring a small pit that’s more like the pit of a Cherry rather than the pit of a Plum, these are a tasty treat for fruit lovers!

Superior Plum Trees

The hardy Superior Plum trees (Prunus hybrid ‘Superior’) range from American to Japanese plums naturally crossbred. Hardy to USDA hardiness zone 4, they are highly recommended for areas north of that.

Sub-freezing temperatures are no match for Superior Plum trees! A 8,000-foot altitude is also suitable for them.

Young trees begin producing when they are young. As spring turns to summer, you’ll be excited to see the harvest ripen.

Golden-yellow flesh covers the fire engine red exterior of the large fruit. Those classic Plums will delight you with their rich flavor.

We can assure you that nothing tastes better than a plum fresh from your tree. The apples are delicious straight from the tree, still warm from the sun and tree-ripe. In addition to jams, jellies, and desserts, they’ll also make their own jam.

Bruce Plum Tree

You should try the tasty Bruce Plum Tree (Prunus salicina x angustifolia ‘Bruce’) if you live in a low lying area where it is hot, dry, and frosty sometimes. A.L. Bruce of Donley, Texas introduced this American hybrid in 1921 and it has since become one of the toughest and easiest-to-grow plums available for home growers.

An Abundance plum (which Luther Burbank introduced in 1888) crossed with Chickasaw plums from North America, Bruce is a hybrid. It is a tree that combines the best qualities of both its parents.

Even when the heat is dry in the West and humid in the South, Bruce Plum is a champ. Low lying areas can be frosty from time to time without a problem.

Flavor Queen Pluot®

This Flavor Queen Pluot tree will provide you with fresh, yummy Pluot fruits. Pluots, with greenish-yellow skins and amber flesh, are known for their sweet flavor and prolific fruit production. Isn’t that the best part? The plum fruit combines the best of apricots and plums!

A semi-dwarf tree that blooms with beautiful flowers from March to April, this beauty features green foliage. Ripens in July and produces 50 lbs of fruit. It is full of delicious Pluots.

Enjoy the fruits of the late summer harvest by making jelly and jam or eating them fresh. As well as salads and baked goods, you can include them in your recipes.

Mount St. Helens® Plum Tree

Mount St. Helen’s Plums are noted for their small, light pink flowers and purple foliage that lasts through the summer. In comparison to other trees of this species, it is hardier and more compact, which makes it ideal for growing in small spaces or in harsh weather conditions.

In mid-summer, Mount St. Helens produces juicy plums despite its aesthetic beauty. A popular focal point, Mount St. Helens is gorgeous in spring with fragrant flowers, purple leaves in the summer, and wine-colored foliage in the fall.

Planting and Care Tips for Plum Trees in Georgia

Georgia’s humid subtropical climate in the south and the cooler temperatures in the north offer slightly different planting conditions for plum trees. Here’s what you need to know to succeed:

Soil and Site Requirements

• Soil pH: Plum trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, between pH 6.0 and 7.0. Georgia’s native soils are often acidic, which is usually suitable — have your soil tested if you’re unsure.
• Drainage: Good drainage is non-negotiable. Plums in waterlogged soil develop root rot quickly. Raised beds or sloped sites work well.
• Sun exposure: Minimum 6-8 hours of full sun daily for good fruit production. Less sun means fewer flowers and more disease pressure.
• Spacing: Standard plum trees need 18-20 feet between trees; semi-dwarf varieties need 12-15 feet.

Pollination Requirements

Most Japanese plum varieties require cross-pollination — you’ll need at least two compatible varieties that bloom at the same time. Good Georgia pollinator combinations include:

• Methley + Morris (both early season)
• Spring Satin + Burgundy (mid-season)
• Ruby Sweet + Byrongold (mid to late season)

European plum varieties (like Stanley and Damson) are often self-fertile but still produce better crops with a pollinator nearby.

Chilling Hours — The Critical Factor

Plum trees need a certain number of hours below 45°F (7°C) during winter — called chill hours — to break dormancy and flower properly in spring. Georgia’s chill hours vary significantly by region:

• North Georgia mountains: 1,000+ chill hours — suitable for high-chill varieties
• North Georgia Piedmont (Atlanta area): 700-900 chill hours — wide variety selection
• Middle Georgia: 500-700 chill hours — choose low-chill to moderate-chill varieties
• South Georgia: 300-500 chill hours — select specifically low-chill varieties like Gulf Ruby or Gulf Gold

Choosing a variety with the wrong chill hour requirement is the most common reason plum trees fail to produce in Georgia.

Pest and Disease Management

Georgia’s humid climate makes plum trees susceptible to certain diseases. Proactive management is key:

• Brown rot: The most common problem in humid climates. Thin fruit in early summer so remaining fruit don’t touch. Apply copper-based fungicide at petal fall and repeat every 10-14 days during wet periods.
• Plum curculio: A weevil that damages fruit shortly after petal fall. Treat with appropriate insecticide immediately after bloom.
• Black knot: A fungal disease causing black, warty growths on branches. Prune out infected wood at least 4 inches below the knot and burn or bag the prunings.

When to Harvest Plums in Georgia

Harvest timing varies by variety and location within Georgia:

• Early varieties (May-June in South Georgia, June-July in North): Methley, Gulf Ruby, Bruce
• Mid-season (July-August): Morris, Spring Satin, Byrongold
• Late season (August): Ruby Sweet, Stanley (European type)

Plums don’t continue ripening after picking like some fruits. Harvest when they give slightly to gentle pressure and develop their full color. Don’t wait too long — ripe plums on the tree attract wasps and can drop quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Japanese plum varieties generally outperform European types in Georgia’s climate
• Most Japanese plums need a pollinator — plant at least two compatible varieties
• Match your variety to your region’s chill hours — this is the most important selection criterion
• Well-drained, slightly acidic soil in full sun gives the best results
• Brown rot fungus is the main disease challenge — good air circulation and preventive fungicide application help
• Harvest timing varies by variety — early varieties ripen May-June in south Georgia

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest plum tree to grow in Georgia?

Methley is consistently recommended as one of the easiest plum trees for Georgia gardeners. It’s partially self-fertile (though cross-pollination improves yields), produces sweet, juicy fruit early in the season, and is adaptable across most of the state. For south Georgia with fewer chill hours, Gulf Ruby is similarly easy to grow and productive.

How long does it take a plum tree to produce fruit in Georgia?

Most grafted plum trees begin producing fruit 3-5 years after planting. Trees grown from seed take much longer and don’t reliably produce quality fruit. Semi-dwarf varieties tend to fruit slightly earlier than standard sizes. Proper care — especially good drainage, adequate fertilization, and proper pruning — helps trees reach productive age faster.

Can I grow European plums in Georgia?

European plums (Prunus domestica) like Stanley and Damson are better suited to North Georgia, where higher elevation and cooler winters provide the 1,000+ chill hours many European varieties require. In Middle and South Georgia, European plums often fail to fruit reliably due to insufficient winter chill. Japanese plums (Prunus salicina) are generally better adapted to Georgia’s climate statewide.

Explore more fruit tree options for the South: best plum trees for Georgia, best plum trees for Texas, and best cherry trees for Georgia.