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How to Grow Pluot

Pluot

Prunus × (plum × apricot hybrid)

fruit

A hybrid fruit tree resulting from a cross between plums and apricots, combining the sweetness of apricots with the firmer flesh of plums. Pluots typically have a smooth skin with a sweet, complex flavor and are less acidic than standard plums. The tree is deciduous, medium-sized, and produces abundant fruit in mid to late summer.

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Example Pluot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Pluot

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Pluot

    Late summer into fall

    Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pluot dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (minimum); 8+ hours preferred for best fruit quality
💧
Water: Moderate water needs; provide 1-1.5 inches per week during growing season and fruit development. Water deeply and infrequently to encourage deep root growth. Reduce watering in late summer to concentrate sugars. Avoid waterlogged conditions.
📏
Spacing: 15 inches
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Days to maturity: Fruit ripens 90-120 days after bloom; trees produce fruit in 2-3 years from planting
🌱
Planting depth: Plant bare-root or containerized trees at same depth as nursery pot; graft union should be 2-3 inches above soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy loam soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
Compost or aged manure Perlite or coarse sand for drainage improvement Bone meal for phosphorus Potassium sulfate for potassium

Growing Zones

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Zones 5-9; best performance in zones 6-8 with adequate winter chill hours

5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

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Growth Stages

1

Dormancy

December-February (varies by zone)

Tree is leafless and dormant in winter; branches are bare and woody. This stage satisfies the tree's chilling requirement (typically 300-600 hours below 45°F).

Prune during dormancy (late winter) to establish open-center or central-leader framework. Remove crossing or diseased branches. No watering needed.

2

Bloom

3-4 weeks in spring

Delicate white to pale pink flowers appear on branches before or as leaves emerge. Flowers are self-fertile but benefit from cross-pollination with compatible plum or apricot varieties.

Protect from late frosts if possible; frost during bloom can reduce fruit set. Thin flowers if excessive for optimal fruit size. Encourage pollinating insects.

3

Fruit Set & Early Growth

4-6 weeks after bloom

Tiny green fruits develop after pollination. Fruit is marble-sized and requires thinning. Leaves are fully emerged and tree is actively growing.

Thin fruit to 4-6 inches apart to promote larger, sweeter fruit. Remove damaged, diseased, or misshapen fruits. Maintain consistent watering (1-1.5 inches weekly).

4

Fruit Development & Ripening

6-10 weeks

Fruit rapidly increases in size and gradually changes color from green to yellow-red or deep red depending on variety. Sugars accumulate and fruit softens slightly when ripe.

Continue regular watering; reduce frequency in late summer. Apply thin layer of mulch to maintain soil moisture and regulate temperature. Monitor for pest and disease pressure.

5

Harvest & Post-Harvest

2-3 weeks harvest window

Ripe fruit is fragrant, yields slightly to gentle pressure, and detaches easily from branches. Tree may be heavily laden with fruit.

Harvest fruit at peak ripeness for best flavor. Handle gently to avoid bruising. Remove all fruit to encourage next season's crop. Prune lightly after harvest to maintain shape.

Companion Planting

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Plant with:

Comfrey Borage Alyssum Nasturtium Chives Other plum or apricot varieties (for cross-pollination) Nitrogen-fixing legumes

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Potatoes Brassicas (cabbage, broccoli) Black walnut (juglone toxicity) Other stone fruits with different bloom times (may complicate pest management)

Common Pests

  • Use pheromone traps for monitoring; apply kaolin clay spray pre-bloom and post-bloom; remove fallen fruit; use integrated pest management approaches

  • Shake branches early morning to dislodge beetles; use sticky traps; thin fruit aggressively; apply insecticidal spray at petal fall and 10-14 days later

  • Hand-pick in early morning; use Japanese beetle traps placed away from tree; encourage parasitic wasps; neem oil or insecticidal soap for severe infestations

  • Spray with strong water stream; use sulfur or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen

  • Improve air circulation through pruning; remove infected fruit and mummified fruit; apply copper or sulfur fungicide at bloom and fruit development stages

  • Prune out infected branches well below knots; sterilize tools between cuts; apply fungicide in spring if severe; ensure good tree health

Uses

🍳

Fresh eating and desserts

Culinary

Pluots are prized for fresh consumption due to their exceptional sweetness and complex flavor profile. They can be used in fruit salads, desserts, jams, and as a fresh snack. [source]

🍳

Preserves and baking

Culinary

The firm flesh and balanced acidity make pluots excellent for jams, preserves, pies, and tarts. Their natural pectin content aids jam-setting. [source]

💊

Dietary fiber and antioxidants

Medicinal

Pluots are rich in dietary fiber for digestive health and contain antioxidants like vitamin C and polyphenols. Traditional medicine uses plums and apricots for digestive support. [source]

🏠

Natural dyes and crafts

Household

Pluot skins and flesh can be used to create natural dyes for fabric and craft projects, producing shades of red, purple, and brown. [source]

🦋

Pollinator and wildlife support

Wildlife

Pluot flowers attract bees and other pollinators in spring. Fallen fruit and tree structure provide habitat and food for 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 fruit yields slightly to gentle hand pressure and skin color is fully developed for the variety. Pluots do not ripen well after picking, so wait for tree-ripeness. Pick in early morning when fruit is cool. Handle gently to prevent bruising. Mature trees can produce 50-100+ pounds of fruit annually. For storage, keep ripe pluots in refrigerator and consume within 1-2 weeks, or use immediately for fresh eating or cooking.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Pluots were developed by Luther Burbank, the famous American horticulturist, who spent decades perfecting the plum-apricot hybrid to combine the best traits of both fruits.
  • 🌱 Pluots require fewer chilling hours than standard plums (300-600 hours vs. 400-1000), making them more adaptable to warmer growing regions and climate change.
  • 🌱 The name 'Pluot' is a trademarked term; botanically, any plum-apricot hybrid is called a 'plumcot,' but Pluot specifically refers to hybrids with at least 75% plum genetics and superior flavor.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Full Sun Hybrid Mulch Pollination Thinning
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