Klamath plum
Prunus subcordata
Last reviewed: October 2026
Klamath plum (Prunus subcordata) is a perennial shrub native to CA, OR. It blooms in March and April. The flowers draw bees.
Klamath plum is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Klamath plum is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
96"–240" H × 96"–180" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr
Native to
CA, OR
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A large thicket-forming shrub or small tree with clusters of white flowers in early spring before the leaves. Small red to purple plum-like fruit follows in late summer and is valued by wildlife.
Growing Klamath plum
Grow Klamath plum in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 96 to 240 inches tall and spread 96 to 180 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for eastern tiger swallowtail.
Spring flowers feed bees, the fruit feeds birds and mammals, and the foliage hosts eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillars.
Common questions
- How much sun does Klamath plum need?
- Klamath plum grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Klamath plum bloom?
- Klamath plum blooms in March and April.
- Where is Klamath plum native?
- Klamath plum (Prunus subcordata) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Klamath plum toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Klamath 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 Klamath plum toxic to cats?
- Yes. Klamath 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.
- What butterflies or moths does Klamath plum host?
- Klamath plum is a larval host plant for eastern tiger swallowtail.
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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Klamath plum and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.