Prunus salicina 'Angeleno' (Plum)

Common Name: Plum 'Angeleno' (often spelled “Angelino” in some sources), Angeleno Japanese Plum

Scientific Name: Prunus salicina 'Angeleno' (sometimes listed as Prunus domestica 'Angeleno' or 'Suplumsix')

Plant Family: Rosaceae

Lifecycle: Deciduous Perennial

The Angeleno plum is a late-season cultivar bred in California and widely grown in Mediterranean climates. Its firm, sweet-tart fruits have excellent storage ability and ship well, which is why it dominates late-season plum markets worldwide. While many nurseries list the scientific name as Prunus salicina (Japanese plum), some catalogs and horticultural systems still label it as Prunus domestica. The consensus, however, leans strongly toward P. salicina due to its breeding lineage and traits.

Growing Prunus salicina 'Angeleno' in Mediterranean climate means providing sun, patience, and airflow. Though young trees often spend years focusing on roots before fruiting, they eventually reward growers with abundant late-summer harvests.

For in-depth guides and curated tools, be sure to check out our Recommended Books & Resources below.

Plant Profile

Characteristic	Information
Climate Suitability	USDA Zones 5–9; Köppen Csa/Csb (Mediterranean)
Sun / Shade Needs	Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
Watering Needs	Moderate; deep watering during dry summers
Soil Preferences	Well-draining loam or sandy loam, pH 6.0–7.5
Spacing & Height	4–5 m spacing; grows 4–6 m tall (13–20 ft)
Propagation Method(s)	Grafting preferred; seed not true-to-type
Planting Timeline	Dormant season (late winter to early spring)
Companion Plants	Comfrey, garlic, borage, clover
Edible / Medicinal / Ecological Uses	Fresh fruit, drying, preserves, pollinator attractor
Pest / Disease Considerations	Brown rot, aphids, canker; watch airflow and soil moisture
Pruning / Harvest Notes	Prune late winter to open canopy; harvest late summer to autumn

Quick Plant Reference

• Care Level: Moderate

• Optimal Sunlight: Full sun (6–8 h/day)

• Water Needs: Moderate; deep soak weekly in summer

• Mature Size: 4–6 m tall × 3–5 m spread (13–20 ft × 10–16 ft)

• Soil Type: Well-drained loam or sandy loam

• Humidity: Medium

• Toxicity: Seeds/pits contain amygdalin; avoid ingestion

• Beneficial Pollinators: Bees, hoverflies, butterflies

• Health Benefits: Rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamin C

• Chilling Hours: 700–1,000 hours (0–7 °C / 32–45 °F)

• Pollination Requirements: Partially self-fertile; better yields with cross-pollination

Our Prunus salicina 'Angeleno' Application @ Tough Kraut

We planted our Angeleno plum on November 11, 2022, at the upper syntropic tree line. It shares the row with an apple 'Golden Delicious', an Ercolini pear, and a persimmon 'Coroa de Rei' that’s resprouting below the graft, while one cherry 'Sweet Heart' has already been lost. Just south, an oak sapling is growing with minimal distance to its stem, a reminder that succession will eventually hand the space back to the oak. For now, the plum is still establishing—no fruit yet, but building its root system for the years ahead.

Step-by-Step Growing Guide

1. Choose the Right Site

Give it full sun and good airflow. Avoid frost pockets and overcrowding with larger trees.

2. Prepare the Soil

Incorporate compost into loamy or sandy soil. Ensure drainage to prevent fungal diseases.

3. Plant the Tree

Plant during dormancy, keeping the graft union slightly above soil level. Mulch generously without touching the trunk.

4. Water Consistently

Weekly deep soaks in summer keep growth strong; reduce watering in winter.

5. Ensure Proper Pollination

Though partially self-fertile, it sets far better with another Japanese plum variety nearby. Pollinator-friendly herbs help attract bees.

6. Prune Annually

Shape to an open center or modified leader, thinning crossing branches for airflow.

7. Manage Pests and Diseases

Monitor for aphids, brown rot, and canker. Apply neem oil or copper sprays and clear fallen leaves and fruit.

8. Harvest and Store

Fruits ripen late summer to autumn. Unlike many plums, Angeleno stores exceptionally well, often lasting weeks if harvested firm-ripe.

9. Note

If your tree seems healthy but fruitless in its first 3–4 years, that’s normal—patience is part of the deal with Japanese-type plums.

Kraut Crew Insight

Our Angeleno is still in its “teenage years,” leafy but not yet fruitful. With an oak shadowing its south side, its reign will be temporary. Still, we see this as a permaculture win: short-term abundance from the plum, long-term resilience from the oak.

Photos

November 17, 2022

December 10, 2022

September 17, 2025

September 17, 2025

Herman’s Tough Kraut Field Notes: Solving Plum 'Angeleno' Cultivation Challenges

Here’s where taxonomy meets troubleshooting. Many growers wonder if their Angeleno is a European (P. domestica) or Japanese (P. salicina) plum. This matters because chilling hours, bloom time, and pollination needs differ between the two. Current evidence strongly supports Prunus salicina, meaning you should manage it as a Japanese plum: early bloom, 700–1,000 chilling hours, and partial self-fertility.

Q: My Angeleno isn’t fruiting yet. Why?

A: Expect 3–5 years before harvest. Overfertilization with nitrogen or too much shade from nearby trees (like oaks) can delay fruiting further.

Q: Do I need a pollinator tree?

A: Cross-pollination improves yield. Pair with another P. salicina cultivar (e.g., Santa Rosa, Fortune, or Mirabelle types if available).

Q: Leaves have holes or spots. What’s wrong?

A: Likely shot hole fungus or brown rot. Prune for airflow and apply copper spray during dormancy.

Q: Why do some nurseries call it Prunus domestica?

A: Likely due to outdated or broad labeling. Genetic and breeding data confirm P. salicina is correct, though “Suplumsix” is a synonym you might see in trade catalogs.

Q: Will my Angeleno handle drought?

A: Yes, moderately. But consistent summer watering produces much better fruit size and sweetness.

Recommended Books & Resources

Books

• The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips

  A go-to manual on organic orchard care, including disease management for stone fruits.

• Fruit Trees for Every Garden by Orin Martin & Manjula Martin

  Practical guidance for growing, pruning, and managing plums and other fruit trees.

• The Backyard Orchardist by Stella Otto

  Beginner-friendly, covering orchard setup and troubleshooting.

Resources

• Tough Kraut Resources

  Our evolving list of grafting tools, organic sprays, and orchard essentials to keep your plum trees thriving.

Entry last updated: 2025-09-17

This post is part of the Tough Kraut Plant Library, documenting what really grows on our off-grid homestead in Central Portugal.