Napoleon's Plum Plant Care

Napoleon's Plum (Napoleonaea imperialis) belongs to the Lecythidaceae family within the Napoleonaea genus. Napoleon's Plum is native to Africa. Napoleon's Plum is also known as Imperial Napoleon.

Napoleon's Plum displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Napoleon's Plum produces large, showy white flowers with prominent stamens.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Napoleon's Plum 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.

Napoleon's Plum thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Napoleonaea imperialis tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Napoleon's Plum prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

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

Feed Napoleon's 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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

Napoleon's Plum is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

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.

Napoleon's Plum can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 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.

Prune Napoleon's 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.

Napoleon's Plum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Napoleon's Plum can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Napoleon's Plum is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

Napoleon's Plum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Napoleon's Plum is native to Africa. In cooler regions, grow Napoleon's Plum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.