How to Grow Reine Claude

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Reine Claude

Prunus domestica subsp. italica

fruit

Reine Claude, also known as Greengage, is a small, round plum with greenish-yellow skin and exceptionally sweet, aromatic flesh. This heirloom variety is prized for its superior flavor and is excellent for fresh eating and preserves. It's a medium-sized deciduous tree that produces abundantly in suitable climates.

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Example Reine Claude timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Reine Claude
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Reine Claude
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

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

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum

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Water: Regular watering during growing season, approximately 1-2 inches per week. Reduce in late summer to concentrate sugars. Ensure consistent moisture but avoid waterlogging.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1095-1460 days (3-4 years to first fruit)

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Planting depth: Plant bare-root trees at same depth as nursery container; graft union should be 2-3 inches above ground

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Perlite for drainage Bone meal for phosphorus

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-9, with best production in zones 6-8

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

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Growth Stages

Dormancy & Planting

1-2 months

Bare-root or container trees planted in late fall to early spring while dormant. Tree is leafless with visible branch structure.

Plant in early morning or late afternoon. Dig hole twice as wide as root ball. Backfill with amended soil and water thoroughly. Mulch around base with 2-3 inches of organic material, keeping away from trunk.

Spring Leaf Development

4-6 weeks

Buds break and leaves emerge. New growth appears lime-green and tender. Tree branches become visible with emerging foliage.

Monitor for frost damage in late spring. Remove any damaged growth. Begin regular watering schedule. Apply balanced fertilizer if soil test indicates need. Watch for emerging pests.

Flowering & Pollination

2-3 weeks

Tree produces abundant small white or pale pink flowers in early spring before full leaf emergence. Flowers are fragrant and arranged in clusters.

Ensure pollinator access by maintaining nearby flowering plants. Thin overcrowded flower clusters if desired. Protect flowers from late frost with frost cloth if temps drop below 28°F. Do not apply pesticides during bloom.

Fruit Development & Growing

8-12 weeks

Flowers fade and small green fruits develop. Fruits gradually enlarge throughout summer, eventually developing characteristic greenish-yellow color.

Thin fruits to 3-4 inches apart within 4 weeks of bloom for larger plums. Water consistently, providing 1-2 inches weekly. Reduce watering in late summer to concentrate sugars. Apply balanced fertilizer mid-summer if needed.

Ripening & Harvest

2-4 weeks

Fruits reach full size and develop golden-green color with soft flesh. Some russeting may appear on skin. Plums emit sweet, honeyed aroma when ripe.

Check fruit firmness regularly—ready to pick when slightly soft to gentle pressure. Harvest in mid to late summer. Pick fruit slightly before full ripeness if storing, as they ripen after picking. Handle gently to avoid bruising.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Borage Marigold Nasturtium Chives Garlic Tansy Comfrey

Avoid planting near:

Fennel Dill Brassicas Potatoes Tomatoes

Common Pests

Remove infested fruits daily. Apply spinosad in early morning or late evening starting at petal fall. Remove fallen fruit promptly.
Hand-pick beetles early morning into soapy water. Apply neem oil or spinosad. Install Japanese beetle traps away from trees.
Apply spinosad or neem oil at petal fall and again 2 weeks later. Remove affected fruits promptly.
Prune out infected branches. Remove mummified fruits. Improve air circulation through thinning. Apply sulfur fungicide during bloom and ripening.
Prune out infected branches 12 inches below knots during dormancy. Destroy prunings. Avoid wounding tree. Apply copper fungicide in early spring.

Uses

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Preserves & Jam

Culinary

Reine Claude plums are legendary for making exceptional preserves, jams, and jellies due to their high pectin content and intense sweetness. Their honeyed flavor is particularly prized in French and European cuisine. [source]

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Fresh Eating & Desserts

Culinary

The superior flavor and melting texture make these plums ideal for eating fresh, in fruit salads, or in gourmet desserts. They pair exceptionally well with cream and pastries. [source]

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Digestive Health

Medicinal

Plums are traditional remedies for constipation and digestive issues due to their sorbitol content and dietary fiber. Reine Claude plums offer gentle natural digestive support. [source]

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Natural Dye Production

Household

Plum leaves and fruit can be used to create natural dyes for textile crafts, producing shades from yellow to brown depending on processing methods. [source]

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Pollinator & Bird Support

Wildlife

The abundant spring flowers attract bees and other pollinators early in the season, while ripening fruit provides food for birds and wildlife throughout late summer. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Reine Claude plums are ready to harvest in mid to late summer when they yield slightly to gentle pressure and emit a sweet aroma. Pick fruit in morning after dew dries. For fresh eating, harvest fully ripe; for jam or storing, pick when slightly firm. Fruits ripen over several weeks, allowing multiple harvests. Handle gently to avoid bruising delicate skin.

Fun Facts

🌱 Reine Claude (meaning 'Queen Claude' in French) was named after Queen Claude of France, the wife of King Francis I, in the 16th century, making it one of the oldest cultivated plum varieties still in production.
🌱 Greengage plums are so prized that they're often considered a delicacy in Europe, with single fruits commanding premium prices at farmer's markets, particularly in France and England where they've been cultivated since the 1700s.
🌱 Unlike many plum varieties, Reine Claude trees are largely self-fertile or self-compatible, though cross-pollination with other compatible plum varieties (like Stanley or Damson) can increase fruit set and size.

Gardening Terms

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

Full Sun Heirloom Mulch

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