When does sloe plum bloom?

Sloe plum typically blooms in March and April, producing small white flowers on bare or newly leafing branches before most other shrubs in its area.

What insects visit sloe plum flowers?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors to sloe plum blossoms in early spring, feeding on the nectar and pollen the flowers provide.

How much light and water does sloe plum need?

Sloe plum does best in full sun and tolerates low water once it is established, which suits it to dry, well drained sites.

Is sloe plum an evergreen shrub?

No, sloe plum is deciduous. It drops its leaves in fall and puts out new growth and flowers again in spring.

Is Sloe Plum toxic to dogs?

Yes. Sloe 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 Sloe Plum toxic to cats?

Yes. Sloe 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 Sloe Plum HOA-friendly?

Sloe Plum takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Sloe Plum

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Prunus umbellata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Prunus umbellata, or sloe plum, is a deciduous shrub that flowers in March and April with small white blossoms and grows well in full sun with low water once established, often found in thickets and open woodland edges.

Sloe Plum (Prunus umbellata) — Photo: (c) Lauren McLaurin, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Sloe 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

96"–240" H × 96"–240" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr

Native to

AL, AR, CT, FL and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Cross Timbers Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Piedmont Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Eastern Temperate Forests Central Appalachians Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain

Sloe plum is a native shrub that produces clusters of small white flowers in early spring before the leaves emerge. It grows into a large, spreading shrub that can reach up to 20 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for spacious landscapes where it has room to develop naturally.

Growing Sloe Plum

Grow Sloe Plum in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 96 to 240 inches tall and spread 96 to 240 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sloe Plum takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very large mature size may appear uncontrolled
Can sucker and spread beyond intended area
Winter appearance lacks structure typical of maintained landscapes

Wildlife value

The early spring blooms provide nectar for bees and beetles when few other flowers are available. The small fruits that follow attract birds and other wildlife throughout the summer.

Common questions

When does sloe plum bloom?: Sloe plum typically blooms in March and April, producing small white flowers on bare or newly leafing branches before most other shrubs in its area.
What insects visit sloe plum flowers?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors to sloe plum blossoms in early spring, feeding on the nectar and pollen the flowers provide.
How much light and water does sloe plum need?: Sloe plum does best in full sun and tolerates low water once it is established, which suits it to dry, well drained sites.
Is sloe plum an evergreen shrub?: No, sloe plum is deciduous. It drops its leaves in fall and puts out new growth and flowers again in spring.
Is Sloe Plum toxic to dogs?: Yes. Sloe 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 Sloe Plum toxic to cats?: Yes. Sloe 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 Sloe Plum HOA-friendly?: Sloe Plum takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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