How to Grow Elephant Heart
Wikimedia Commons
Elephant Heart
Prunus salicina
fruitElephant Heart is a large, heart-shaped Japanese plum variety known for its deep red to purple skin and sweet, juicy red flesh. This vigorous tree produces abundantly and ripens mid to late summer, making it a popular choice for home gardeners. The variety is semi-self-fertile but produces better with cross-pollination.
When should you plant Elephant Heart in your zone?
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Example Elephant Heart timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Elephant Heart
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Elephant Heart
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Elephant Heart dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 6-8, can succeed in zone 5b with winter protection
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Establishment
Year 1Young tree with developing root system and framework branches; minimal flowering
Stake for support, water consistently, prune to establish strong central leader, apply mulch but keep away from trunk
Early Fruiting
Year 2-3Tree begins producing flowers and small fruits; branches fill out
Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart for larger specimens; maintain consistent watering; light pruning after bloom
Flowering
2-3 weeks in springAbundant white to light pink flowers appear in spring before leaves fully emerge
Ensure adequate chill hours (500-700 hours below 45°F); apply thin layer of balanced fertilizer; provide insect access for pollination
Fruit Development
6-8 weeks after bloomGreen plums rapidly enlarge; skin transitions to deep red-purple; flesh becomes juicy and sweet
Continue consistent deep watering; thin fruits if over-set; monitor for pests and diseases; support heavy branches
Harvest & Dormancy
August-September (harvest); October-March (dormancy)Plums fully ripe, dark red-purple with slight give when squeezed; tree enters fall dormancy
Harvest when fully ripe; reduce watering in fall; apply winter mulch in colder zones; prune dormant tree in late winter
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Remove fallen fruit daily, apply kaolin clay spray at petal fall, use pheromone traps, introduce parasitic wasps
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Hand-pick early morning, use row covers, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap, encourage natural predators
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Prune out infested twigs, apply dormant oil spray in late winter, wrap trunk to prevent egg-laying
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Thin fruit to improve air circulation, prune infected branches, apply sulfur spray, remove mummified fruits
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Prune out affected branches 6 inches below knot, sterilize tools, apply fungicide in early spring
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinaryElephant Heart plums are excellent for fresh consumption due to their large size, sweet flavor, and juicy texture. They are ideal for plum tarts, crisps, jams, and preserves. [source]
Juice and beverages
CulinaryThe high juice content makes this variety suitable for fresh juices, cordials, and fermented beverages like plum wine. [source]
Digestive and antioxidant support
MedicinalPlums contain sorbitol and dietary fiber supporting digestive health, plus anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid with antioxidant properties. [source]
Natural dye and crafts
HouseholdPlum skin and fruit body can be used to create red-purple natural dyes for fabric and fiber arts. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife habitat
WildlifeSpring blossoms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators; mature fruits feed birds and beneficial insects. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when plums yield slightly to gentle pressure and skin is fully dark red-purple, typically mid-August to September. For optimal sweetness, allow to ripen on the tree 1-2 days after color develops. Gently twist and lift, or cut stem. Store at room temperature 2-3 days to finish ripening, then refrigerate up to 2 weeks.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Elephant Heart is named for its distinctive heart shape and large size, with individual fruits often weighing 2-3 ounces—larger than most other plum varieties.
- 🌱 This Japanese plum variety was introduced to California in the late 1800s and has become a favorite among commercial growers due to its shipping quality and shelf-life.
- 🌱 The variety requires a specific amount of winter chill hours (500-700 hours below 45°F) to set fruit, making it unsuitable for very warm climates like zone 10+.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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