How to Grow Spice Zee Pluot
Spice Zee Pluot
Prunus × cerasifera (pluot hybrid)
fruitSpice Zee is a hybrid fruit tree resulting from a cross between plum and apricot (pluot), featuring a deep purple-red skin with sweet, spicy-aromatic flesh. The tree is moderately vigorous and produces medium-sized fruit with exceptional flavor complexity, combining the tartness of plum with apricot's sweetness and a distinctive warm spice note. It's a mid-season producer ideal for fresh eating and suitable for home orchards in warm climates.
When should you plant Spice Zee Pluot in your zone?
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Example Spice Zee Pluot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Spice Zee Pluot
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 Spice Zee Pluot
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Spice Zee Pluot dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 8-9; performs best in Mediterranean-like climates with warm, dry summers
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Dormancy/Winter
November-FebruaryTree is leafless; requires winter chill hours (300-400 hours below 45°F) to set fruit properly
No active care needed; prune during late dormancy (late January-February) while tree is bare. Remove crossing branches and shape framework. Some thinning of interior limbs improves light penetration.
Bloom
February-MarchWhite to pale pink flowers appear on branches before leaves; blooms are self-fertile but benefit from cross-pollination
Protect flowers from late frost (may require frost cloth in marginal zones). Provide bee access for pollination. Water consistently but avoid overhead watering during bloom.
Fruit Set & Development
March-MayTiny green fruit develops after bloom; rapid cell division occurs. Heavy thinning is critical at this stage.
Thin fruit to 4-6 inches apart when marble-sized (late April-May) for larger, sweeter fruit. Hand-thin rather than relying on natural drop. Remove diseased or damaged fruit first.
Ripening
June-August (varies by location)Fruit transitions from green to dark purple-red; sugar content increases dramatically. Flesh becomes fragrant and develops characteristic spicy-sweet aroma.
Maintain consistent moisture during ripening for optimal size and sweetness. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal issues. Monitor for splitting in heavy rain periods.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
August-SeptemberFruit fully colored and fragrant; tree may continue producing through late summer depending on variety and heat
Harvest when fully ripe (yields gently to hand pressure). Provide early fall irrigation if autumn rains are sparse. Light pruning of dead wood post-harvest.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick early morning; use neem oil or spinosad spray; parasitic wasps (Tiphia) provide biocontrol
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Remove fallen fruit immediately; apply spinosad at petal fall and 7-10 days later; kaolin clay spray deters egg-laying
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Remove infested twigs; prune to open canopy for air circulation; dormant oil spray in late winter
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Dormant oil in winter; insecticidal soap in spring; horticultural oil during growing season
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Remove mummified fruit; improve air circulation through pruning; sulfur or copper fungicide at bloom and pre-harvest
Uses
Fresh eating and desserts
CulinarySpice Zee is primarily enjoyed fresh due to its complex, warm spice flavor profile that complements desserts exceptionally well. The aromatic quality makes it ideal for fruit platters, tarts, and glazes where the unique flavor can shine. [source]
Preserves and jams
CulinaryThe natural pectin and sugar content make Spice Zee excellent for homemade jams and preserves, producing a distinctive spiced-fruit spread with complex flavor. The fruit pairs well with warm spices like cinnamon and ginger in preserved form. [source]
Wine and cider production
CulinaryThe aromatic compounds and balanced acid-sugar profile support fermentation into unique fruit wines and experimental ciders. Home producers appreciate the distinctive spice note that carries through to finished beverages. [source]
Ornamental and shade provision
HouseholdPluot trees are attractive landscape specimens offering spring blossoms, summer fruit, and moderate shade in warm zones. The tree fits well in Mediterranean-style gardens and small orchards. [source]
Wildlife pollination and food
WildlifeSpice Zee blossoms provide early-season nectar for bees and pollinators, while mature fruit attracts birds and beneficial insects. The tree supports ecosystem function in home orchards. [source]
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruit yields to gentle hand pressure and is fully colored with strong fragrance. Pick slightly underripe if intended for storage (2-3 days ripening at room temperature). Fruit peaks 2-3 days after first full coloring. Early morning harvest when cool preserves quality. Store at room temperature for 3-5 days or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks at 32°F.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Pluots were developed by Luther Burbank and later refined by breeder Floyd Zaiger; Spice Zee is a Zaiger proprietary variety that exemplifies the complex flavor goals achieved through controlled stone fruit hybridization.
- 🌱 The 'spice' flavor notes in Spice Zee likely derive from volatile terpene compounds inherited from the apricot parent, giving the fruit an aroma more reminiscent of warm dessert spices than typical plums or apricots.
- 🌱 Spice Zee is notably self-fertile, unlike many plum varieties, making it suitable for solo planting in smaller spaces, though cross-pollination with compatible plums or pluots will increase yield.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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