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Carissa Macrocarpa

About Carissa Macrocarpa

Natal Plum is an easy to grow spiny evergreen shrub with dense leathery green leaves, fragrant white flowers and showy edible red fruits. It can be used as a hedge, security screen or foundation planting where it is hardy or it can be grown in a container that is brought indoors in the winter.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Carissa macrocarpa

Genus

Carissa

Family

Apocynaceae

Order

Gentianales

Also known as

Natal Plum, Natal Plum, Large num-num, Amathungulu, Umthungulu obomvu and Noem-noem

How to care for Carissa Macrocarpa

💦 Water

How often to water your Carissa Macrocarpa

Carissa Macrocarpa needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Natal Plum in your home

Carissa Macrocarpa love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Carissa Macrocarpa does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Carissa Macrocarpa in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Carissa Macrocarpa

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Carissa Macrocarpa: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Carissa Macrocarpa after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #NatalPlum

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Carissa Macrocarpa is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Natal Plum →

Benefits of Growing Natal Plum →

Common Natal Plum Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Natal Plum →

Outdoor Care Guide for Natal Plum →

💦 Water Needs

Carissa Macrocarpa prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Natal Plum Water Frequency →

Natal Plum Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Carissa Macrocarpa requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Natal Plum Light Requirements →

Natal Plum Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Carissa Macrocarpa is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Carissa Macrocarpa can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Natal Plum Temperature Tolerance →

Natal Plum Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Natal Plum →

When to Plant Natal Plum →

How to Plant Natal Plum →

Where to Plant Natal Plum →

Winter Care for Natal Plum →

Best Companion Plants for Natal Plum →

Is Natal Plum a Weed? →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Carissa Macrocarpa, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.