How to Grow Red Cocoplum
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Red Cocoplum
Chrysobalanus icaco
shrubRed Cocoplum is a tropical to subtropical evergreen shrub native to Central and South America and the Caribbean, known for its small, deep red to purple plum-like fruits with creamy white flesh. The plant typically grows 15-25 feet tall in ideal conditions and produces attractive white to pinkish flowers before fruiting. It's valued both as an ornamental and for its sweet, edible fruits that can be eaten fresh or made into jams and beverages.
When should you plant Red Cocoplum in your zone?
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Example Red Cocoplum timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Red Cocoplum
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 Red Cocoplum
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Cocoplum dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 9b-11; can survive outdoors year-round in warm subtropical to tropical climates
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Get my Red Cocoplum timeline →Growth Stages
Seedling
3-6 monthsTiny plant with first true leaves emerging; delicate and slow-growing
Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; provide bright indirect light; avoid transplanting too early; seedlings are slow-growing for the first year
Juvenile/Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung shrub developing woody stems and establishing branching structure; no flowers yet
Water regularly; mulch around base; light pruning to encourage bushier shape; protect from cold; provide balanced fertilizer monthly during growing season
Flowering
2-4 monthsPlant produces small, delicate white to pinkish flowers clustered along branches, typically in spring to early summer
Maintain consistent moisture; avoid heavy pruning that removes flower buds; pollination may be improved by ensuring bee activity; some flowers may self-pollinate
Fruiting
2-4 monthsFlowers fade and small stone fruits develop, initially green, gradually turning red to deep purple/black as they ripen over 2-3 weeks
Continue regular watering; provide potassium-rich fertilizer to support fruit quality; thin crowded fruit if desired for larger individual fruits; watch for pest activity
Harvest/Dormancy
Ongoing harvest; dormancy 2-4 months if applicableMature fruits ready for harvest; plant may slow growth during cool season or dry season depending on climate
Harvest ripe fruits regularly; prune selectively after fruiting to maintain shape; reduce watering during dormancy; minimal fertilizer needed in winter
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; hand-remove from small plants; prune heavily infested branches
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Practice good sanitation by removing fallen and overripe fruit; use traps or baits if infestation is severe
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Increase humidity by misting; spray with miticide or horticultural oil if populations become problematic
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Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators
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Improve air circulation; remove infected leaves; apply fungicide if severe; avoid overhead watering
Uses
Fresh eating and preserves
CulinaryThe sweet, creamy fruits can be eaten fresh out of hand with their thin edible skin and single seed, or made into jams, jellies, preserves, and traditional beverages like juice and fermented drinks throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. [source]
Traditional herbal remedy
MedicinalIn traditional Caribbean and South American medicine, cocoplum leaves, bark, and fruit have been used to treat digestive ailments, diarrhea, and as a general tonic, though scientific validation is limited. [source]
Natural dye source
HouseholdThe deep purple-red fruits can yield natural dyes for fabrics and crafts, making it valuable in traditional dyeing practices. [source]
Wildlife food source
WildlifeThe abundant fruits attract birds, butterflies, and other wildlife, making Red Cocoplum an excellent choice for creating wildlife habitat and supporting pollinators in tropical and subtropical gardens. [source]
Ornamental landscaping
CraftWith attractive evergreen foliage, delicate flowers, and colorful fruits, Red Cocoplum serves as an excellent ornamental shrub for tropical and subtropical landscapes, screening, and edible landscape design. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Red Cocoplums are ready to harvest when fully colored (deep red to purple-black) and yield slightly to gentle pressure. Fruits do not ripen off the tree, so wait until ripe on the plant. Pick fruits by hand, twisting gently to avoid damaging branches. Harvest fruits in the morning for best flavor and storage. Peak harvest season is typically spring through early summer in most tropical areas, though some regions experience extended fruiting.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Cocoplum is native to tropical regions of the Americas but has naturalized throughout the Caribbean, where it's known by various local names including 'Icaco,' 'Jicaco,' and 'Cocoa Plum,' though it is unrelated to actual cacao or plums.
- 🌱 The plant's scientific name, Chrysobalanus, derives from Greek words meaning 'golden acorn,' though the fruits are decidedly plum-like rather than acorn-shaped.
- 🌱 Cocoplum fruits were an important food source for Caribbean indigenous peoples and early colonists, and the plants are still widely cultivated in tropical regions where they require minimal maintenance once established.
Gardening Terms
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