Scarlet Beauty Plum (Prunus salicina 'Scarlet Beauty')
If you want a plum tree that feels like spring shows up early, Scarlet Beauty is the kind of cultivar that earns its name. It’s a Japanese-type plum (Prunus salicina) selected for warm-winter regions, where the tree can break dormancy and bloom with minimal chill—then race toward fruit that looks as dramatic as it tastes.
The fruit is typically medium-sized with a bold red skin and a sweet, juicy flesh that leans bright and refreshing when picked at full color. In a food-forest setting, Scarlet Beauty is the “quick reward” plum: give it sun, steady moisture during fruit fill, and a little structural pruning, and it can become a reliable early-season harvest tree.
In Florida planting zone 9, the biggest difference-maker is placement. Choose full sun, good drainage, and airflow (to keep fungal pressure down), and plan ahead for pollination: Scarlet Beauty is often described as self-fruitful, but fruit set is typically stronger when another compatible Japanese plum blooms nearby.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Prunus salicina 'Scarlet Beauty' |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Rosaceae (Rose family) |
| Common Name(s): | Scarlet Beauty Plum, Japanese Plum (cultivar) |
| Size: | Typically 10–15 ft with pruning; can reach 15–20 ft if left untrained (spread often similar) |
| Plant Type: | Deciduous fruit tree |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Domesticated Japanese-type plum cultivar grown in warm-winter regions and subtropics |
| Native to: | Species origin: East Asia (wild Prunus salicina); cultivar is a domesticated selection |
| Planted range in the USA: | Best in warm-winter areas (e.g., Florida, Gulf Coast, parts of the Southwest/California); also grown in protected microclimates |
| Conservation Status: | Not applicable (cultivated selection) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in late winter to early spring (bare-root) or spring/fall (container) so roots establish before heat or fruiting stress |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun (best flowering, fruiting, and disease resistance) |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained loam or sandy loam; avoid chronically wet sites and compacted soils |
| Soil pH: | 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; keep evenly moist while establishing and during fruit fill (deep watering is better than frequent light watering) |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Moderate; use a balanced fruit-tree fertilizer in spring, then adjust based on growth (too much nitrogen = excess leaves and fewer flowers). |
| Pruning Requirements: | Annual structural pruning while dormant + light summer thinning for airflow; remove crossing branches and overly vigorous upright shoots |
| Growth Rate: | Medium to fast (about 1–3 ft per year in good conditions) |
| Companion Planting: | Does best with living mulches and insectary plants that support pollinators/beneficials, while keeping a clear mulch ring at the trunk |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Low to moderate; drought reduces fruit size and can trigger drop—consistent moisture is important during bloom and fruit fill |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Tree (dormant wood): roughly down to about 0°F to -10°F (-18°C to -23°C) depending on rootstock and acclimation; flowers/young fruit: damage often begins around 28°F (-2°C) |
| Heat Tolerance: | Good to excellent; can handle up to about 100°F to 105°F (38°C to 41°C) with irrigation and mulch |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; strong winds can break fruiting wood—use windbreaks and proper training if your site is exposed |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low; avoid direct coastal spray and salty irrigation water |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Typically 6–9 (often grown in warm-winter regions as a low-chill plum; performance depends on cultivar/rootstock and local conditions) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Stone fruit (drupe) |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: | Typically late April–May in warm Florida springs (timing varies by winter chill, bloom date, and microclimate) |
| Fruit Description: | Often described as red-skinned with juicy, sweet flesh; best flavor develops when fully colored and slightly soft at the stem end |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit) |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit flesh (pit is not edible) |
| Medicinal: | Not a primary medicinal plant; valued mainly as a fresh fruit (traditional uses vary) |
| Flower Color: | White to pale pink |
| Flower Shape: | Five-petaled blossoms typical of stone fruits |
| Fragrance: | Light, sweet floral scent |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Late winter to early spring (often Jan–Feb in Central Florida, depending on chill) |
| Bloom Duration: | 1–3 weeks depending on weather |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Often listed as self-fruitful, but typically sets heavier crops with a compatible Japanese plum nearby (overlapping bloom) |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees during bloom; birds and small wildlife may target ripe fruit if not protected |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees (primary), plus other beneficial insects visiting spring blossoms |
| Problematic Pest: | Common issues can include aphids, scale, spider mites, borers, and fruit pests (pressure varies by location and season). |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Fruit flesh is non-toxic; pits contain compounds common to stone fruits and should not be eaten |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | Pits/seeds (do not chew or ingest) |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic when fruit is eaten normally; sap may irritate sensitive skin in rare cases |
| Toxic to Animals: | Pits can be a choking hazard; ingestion of pits/seeds is not recommended |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Brown Rot, Bacterial Spot, Leaf Spot/Shot Hole, Root Rot, and general canker/gummosis issues—manage with sanitation, airflow, and good drainage |
Companion Planting
For Scarlet Beauty Plum (Prunus salicina 'Scarlet Beauty'), the best companions are plants that (1) support pollinators during bloom, (2) attract beneficial insects that help reduce pests, and (3) build soil health without competing at the trunk. Below are Florida Native and Florida Friendly options that fit an orchard-style food forest.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Living mulch + strong pollinator support; helps reduce soil splash (a big deal for fungal pressure).
Use: Let it fill paths/edges around the dripline (keep a clear mulch ring right at the trunk).
Florida Native: Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Habitat and biodiversity; attracts beneficial insects and adds understory structure.
Use: Plant on the perimeter of the plum guild where it won’t shade the canopy.
Florida Native: Narrowleaf Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Excellent beneficial-insect magnet; late-season nectar support after fruiting season.
Use: Place behind/near the guild edge for height and insectary value.
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing groundcover; suppresses weeds and improves soil over time.
Use: Use as a living mulch outside the trunk ring; keep it trimmed back from bark contact.
Florida Friendly: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Zone Range: 3–9 (varies by cultivar)
Benefits: Brings in predatory insects (lacewings, parasitic wasps) that help with aphids and soft-bodied pests.
Use: Plant in sunny pockets near the guild edge so it doesn’t get shaded out.
Florida Friendly: Comfrey (Symphytum spp.)
Zone Range: 4–9 (species/cultivar dependent)
Benefits: “Chop-and-drop” biomass; deep roots can recycle nutrients into mulch (keep it managed).
Use: Plant outside the immediate root flare area and cut back routinely to feed the tree.
Keep the trunk zone open (mulch + airflow). Put insectary flowers where they get sun, and use groundcovers as a “living carpet” outside the trunk ring. If fruit pests are common in your area, prioritize sanitation (pick up fallen fruit) and encourage beneficial insects year-round.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based Florida references for deciduous fruit care, pruning, fertilizing, and pest/disease concepts.
- UF/IFAS Extension (Solutions for Your Life) — Florida home landscape best practices (watering, soils, and integrated pest management basics).
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework for planting suitability.
- USDA PLANTS Database — species-level reference for Prunus taxonomy and general distribution context.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — sustainable, water-wise landscape guidance that pairs well with food forest design.
- EPPO Global Database — terminology and background reference for common fruit tree pests and diseases.