Black plum Plant Care

Black plum (Vitex doniana) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Vitex genus. Black plum is native to the Afrotropics. Black plum is also known as African vitex, Wild plum.

Black plum displays a small tree or large shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Black plum produces showy spikes of purple, blue, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Black 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.

Black plum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Vitex doniana tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Black plum prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Black plum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Black 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 loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Black 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.

Black plum can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Black 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.

Black 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.

Black plum can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chaste tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Black plum is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Black plum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Black plum is native to the Afrotropics. In cooler regions, grow Black plum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.