Davidson Plum Plant Care

Davidsonia jerseyana (F.M.Bailey) G.J.Harden & J.B.Williams

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Davidsonia jerseyana, also known as Davidson's plum or Mullumbimby plum, is a small, slender subtropical rainforest tree up to 10 metres (33 ft) high. The hairy leaves are compound and 35–60 cm (14–24 in) long, with 11–17 leaflets.

Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Partial shade to full sun

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Davidson Plum?

Plant Davidson Plum in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Davidson Plum Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Davidson Plum?

Davidson Plum (Davidsonia jerseyana) belongs to the Cunoniaceae family within the Davidsonia genus. Davidson Plum is native to a restricted area of northern New South Wales on the east coast of Australia. Davidson Plum is also known as Ooray.

Davidson Plum displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Davidson Plum produces small, white to pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Davidson Plum?

Water a young or newly planted Davidson Plum every 7–14 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 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Davidson Plum Need?

Davidson Plum thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Light Requirement

Partial shade to full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Davidson Plum Prefer?

Davidsonia jerseyana tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Davidson Plum prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Davidson Plum?

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Davidson Plum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Davidson Plum?

Feed Davidson Plum 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 Davidson Plum?

Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Davidson Plum is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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 Davidson Plum?

Davidson Plum can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Davidson Plum?

Prune Davidson Plum 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 Davidson Plum in Winter?

Davidson Plum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Davidson Plum?

Davidson Plum can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to davidson plum plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Davidson Plum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Davidson Plum, 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 Davidson Plum?

Davidson Plum is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Davidson Plum Need?

Davidson Plum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Davidson Plum is native to a restricted area of northern New South Wales on the east coast of Australia. In cooler regions, grow Davidson Plum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Davidson Plum 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 Davidsonia genus — compare its care with other Davidsonia species on PlantoScan.

Davidsonia is part of the Cunoniaceae plant family — browse all Cunoniaceae genera and species.

Davidson Plum 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: Davidsonia jerseyana (F.M.Bailey) G.J.Harden & J.B.Williams, family Cunoniaceae (first published in Telopea 8: 420 (2000)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Davidson Plum, 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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