Side by side
Cherry plum or plum? How to tell them apart
Prunus cerasifera · Prunus domestica
How to tell them apart – cherry plum: small plum tree that flowers white as early as March, the first of the Prunus, small round plums, yellow or red; plum: larger, dull and wrinkled leaf, and larger, oblong plums.
How do you recognise them?
- Cherry plum
- Small plum tree that flowers white as early as March, the first of the Prunus; small round plums, yellow or red. The form with purple leaves is the purple-leaved plum.
- Plum
- Fruit tree with dull, toothed leaves, white blossom in April and plums.
- Compared with cherry plum: larger, dull and wrinkled leaf, and larger, oblong plums.
| Cherry plum | Plum | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, 3–7 cm, oval to elliptic, finely scalloped, glossy and hairless except along the veins underneath; dark purple in the purple-leaved plum. | Alternate, elliptical, 4–10 cm, toothed and dull; somewhat hairy underneath. |
| Flowering | White (pale pink in the purple-leaved plum) flowers, single or in pairs, in March, just before or with the leaves (March). | White flowers in small clusters in April, just before or with the leaves (April). |
| Fruit | Round, cherry-like plums 2–3 cm across on a long stalk, yellow or red, sweet to tart; ripe in July–August. | Blue, purple, yellow or green plums with a flat stone (August–September). |
| Bark | Dark grey-brown; young twigs green and glossy, sometimes with short spines. | Dark greyish-brown and cracked. |
| Shape and height | Broadleaf tree, 5–10 m | Fruit tree, 4–8 m |
| Site | Full sun, any garden soil, normal | Full sun, any garden soil, normal |
| Native to Belgium | No, naturalised | No, naturalised |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | – | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | June–August | June–August |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have: see the growing conditions in the table.
Read on
- Plant profile: Cherry plum
- Plant profile: Plum
- Cherry plum: when and how to prune
- Plum: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.