Mexican Plum Plant Care

Mexican Plum (Ungnadia speciosa) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Ungnadia genus. Mexican Plum is native to northern Mexico, as well as Texas and southern New Mexico in the United States. Mexican Plum is also known as Passionate Plum.

Mexican Plum displays a small deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Mexican Plum produces clusters of small pink to white fragrant flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mexican 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.

Mexican Plum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Ungnadia speciosa tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Mexican Plum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Mexican 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mexican 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.

Mexican Plum 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.

Prune Mexican 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.

Mexican 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.

Mexican Plum can be propagated through seeds.

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Mexican Plum is susceptible to aphids, 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.

Mexican Plum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mexican Plum is native to northern Mexico, as well as Texas and southern New Mexico in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Mexican Plum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.