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About Chinese Plum
A tropical evergreen shrub or tree with alternate, simple leaves that are leathery, veiny, and toothed. Fire blight can be troublesome on this tree. The bacterium that causes fire blight, Erwinia amylovora, is spread by rain and insects.
Taxonomy
Rhaphiolepis bibas
Rhaphiolepis
Rosaceae
Rosales
Also known as
Loquat, Loquat, Japanese medlar, Japanese plum, Chinese plum, Pipa and Nespola

How to care for Chinese Plum

How often to water your Chinese Plum

every 9
Chinese Plum 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

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Loquat in your home

a window
Chinese Plum love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Chinese Plum does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinese Plum in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Chinese Plum

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 Chinese Plum after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Chinese Plum is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
Chinese Plum 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.
Sunlight Needs
Chinese Plum 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 🏡.
Toxicity
Chinese Plum 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.
Soil
Chinese Plum does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Chinese Plum is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.
Growth Pattern
Chinese Plum will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinese Plum can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Chinese Plum can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Care Summary for Chinese Plum
Chinese Plum
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
