Flowering Almond Plant Care
Cerasus triloba (Lindl.) A.I.Baranov & Liou
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Prunus triloba, sometimes called flowering plum or flowering almond, a name shared with Prunus jacquemontii, is a shrubby cherry, sometimes becoming a small tree. The flowers are pale pink or white, and the fruit are red and "pubescent", i.e.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
0–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Flowering Almond?
Plant Flowering Almond in full sun to partial shade and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F (-18–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Flowering Almond Native To?
What Is the Flowering Almond?
Flowering Almond (Cerasus triloba) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Cerasus genus. Flowering Almond is native to China.
Flowering Almond displays a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Flowering Almond produces showy clusters of white or pink blossoms.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Flowering Almond?
Water a young or newly planted Flowering Almond every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Flowering Almond Need?
Flowering Almond thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Flowering Almond Prefer?
Cerasus triloba tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Flowering Almond prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
0–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Flowering Almond?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Flowering Almond to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Flowering Almond?
Feed Flowering Almond every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Flowering Almond?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Flowering Almond?
Flowering Almond can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Flowering Almond?
Prune Flowering Almond while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Flowering Almond in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Flowering Almond?
Flowering Almond can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cerasus cyclamina plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Flowering Almond Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Flowering Almond, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Flowering Almond?
Flowering Almond is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, fruit flies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Flowering Almond is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Cerasus genus — compare its care with other Cerasus species on PlantoScan.
Cerasus is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Flowering Almond thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Cerasus triloba (Lindl.) A.I.Baranov & Liou, family Rosaceae (first published in Ill. Fl. Ligneous Pl. N. E. China : 326 (1955)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Flowering Almond, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
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