When does beach plum bloom?

Beach plum flowers open in May and continue into June, appearing in small white clusters along the branches before the fruit sets.

What growing conditions does beach plum need?

Beach plum prefers full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Once established it handles low water well and is often used on dunes and other exposed coastal sites.

What pollinators visit beach plum flowers?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to beach plum blossoms, drawn to the flowers during the May and June bloom period.

Does beach plum lose its leaves in winter?

Yes, beach plum is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall, leafing out again the following spring.

Is Beach Plum toxic to dogs?

Yes. Beach Plum is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Beach Plum toxic to cats?

Yes. Beach Plum is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Beach Plum toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beach Plum as toxic to livestock.

Is Beach Plum HOA-friendly?

Beach Plum is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Beach Plum

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Prunus maritima

Last reviewed: September 2026

Prunus maritima, or beach plum, is a low, spreading shrub that produces white flowers in May and June and does well in full sun on sandy, well-drained coastal soils.

Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) — Photo: (c) Erin Lalime, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Beach Plum is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Beach Plum as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

36"–96" H × 36"–96" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CT, DE, MA, MD and 7 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Beach plum is a native shrub that produces fragrant white flowers in late spring followed by edible purple plums in summer. This hardy plant tolerates poor soils and drought conditions once established, making it excellent for low-maintenance landscapes.

Growing Beach Plum

Grow Beach Plum in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 96 inches tall and spread 36 to 96 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Beach Plum is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: mid zone, foundation.

Can appear somewhat wild and irregular in form
May sucker and spread if not maintained

Wildlife value

The spring blooms attract native bees and beetles for pollination. The fruits provide food for birds and small mammals in late summer.

Common questions

When does beach plum bloom?: Beach plum flowers open in May and continue into June, appearing in small white clusters along the branches before the fruit sets.
What growing conditions does beach plum need?: Beach plum prefers full sun and sandy, well-drained soil. Once established it handles low water well and is often used on dunes and other exposed coastal sites.
What pollinators visit beach plum flowers?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to beach plum blossoms, drawn to the flowers during the May and June bloom period.
Does beach plum lose its leaves in winter?: Yes, beach plum is deciduous and drops its leaves in fall, leafing out again the following spring.
Is Beach Plum toxic to dogs?: Yes. Beach Plum is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Beach Plum toxic to cats?: Yes. Beach Plum is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Beach Plum toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beach Plum as toxic to livestock.
Is Beach Plum HOA-friendly?: Beach Plum is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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