American Plum Tree Seeds – (Prunus americana)
American Plum Tree Seeds – (Prunus americana)
Tough roots. Sweet rewards.
Prunus americana, commonly known as American Plum, Wild Plum, or Marshall's Large Yellow Sweet Plum, is a hardy North American species valued for both ornamental beauty and culinary use. This shrub or small tree grows up to 15 feet, producing fragrant white spring blossoms followed by tart, ruby-red fruits. With over 200 cultivated varieties, American Plum is also widely used as grafting stock for domestic plum plants. Its resilience makes it an excellent choice for food forests, hedgerows, and wildlife plantings.
Why Choose American Plum?
- Native to much of the U.S., especially the Midwest and Great Plains
- Clouds of fragrant white spring flowers attract bees and butterflies
- Produces tart-sweet plums enjoyed fresh or processed into preserves, jellies, and wine
- Used by farms as windbreaks and for erosion control along highways and riversides
- Root suckers help stabilize stream banks and gullies
- Fruits attract birds, deer, and other wildlife; historically used by Native Americans
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Prunus americana
- Germination Rate: 98%
- Harvest Year: 2025
- Seed Source: Iowa, USA
- Stratification: 90–120 days cold stratification required
- USDA Zones: 3–8
- Soil: Adaptable; prefers loamy, well-drained soils
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 10–20 ft tall × 15–25 ft wide (can reach 25 ft in favorable conditions)
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Packet Sizes: 5, 10, 25, 40, or 100 seeds
FAQ
Are the plums edible?
Yes. American Plums are tart-sweet and can be eaten fresh or processed into jelly, jam, and wine.
Does it spread?
Yes. American Plum spreads by suckers, forming thickets ideal for wildlife cover and erosion control.
Is it good for pollinators?
Absolutely. Its white spring blossoms provide an important nectar source for bees and butterflies.
Related Seeds
Explore other native fruit and wildlife-friendly trees:
Black Walnut Tree Seeds (Juglans nigra)
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare and resilient tree seeds. Every batch is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with detailed planting instructions.
Plant American Plum for food, fragrance, and function. From pollinator gardens to food forests, windbreaks to wildlife cover, this native multitasker provides beauty, erosion control, and a sweet harvest year after year.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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