Chinese Bird Plum Plant Care

Chinese Bird Plum (Sageretia thea) belongs to the Rhamnaceae family within the Sageretia genus. Chinese Bird Plum is also known as Sweet Plum.

Chinese Bird Plum displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Chinese Bird Plum produces small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Bird Plum every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Chinese Bird Plum thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Chinese Bird Plum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Sageretia thea tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Chinese Bird Plum prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Bird Plum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese Bird Plum every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 bright indirect light and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese Bird Plum is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Chinese Bird Plum can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Chinese Bird 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 shrub in one year.

Chinese Bird Plum is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Chinese Bird Plum can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to indian plum plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Chinese Bird Plum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Chinese Bird Plum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Chinese Bird Plum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.