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Plum variety

Santa Rosa

Also known as Santa Rosa Plum

The short answer

Santa Rosa requires 300 chill hours[1]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

Santa Rosa growing facts
Chill requirement300 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessNot published for this variety
PollinationSelf-fertile, bloom group 3[1]
Harvest windowJune–July[1]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for plums)[2]
USDA pomological watercolor of Santa Rosa plum
Prunus salicina: Santa RosaUSDA pomological watercolor, J. Marion Shull, 1935 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[3]

Notes

  • Japanese-type plum (Prunus salicina); self-fruitful and a widely used pollinizer for other Japanese plums.[1]
  • Japanese plums must be pollinated by another Japanese variety; European and Japanese types cannot cross-pollinate.[4]
  • Brown rot is the most common disease of plums; fungicides labeled for peach brown rot can be used on plums.[4]

A year with your Santa Rosa

When the work happens for a plum in USDA zone 6, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Plum in zone 6
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Thin———————————
Spray timing——————
Harvest————————
Care———————————

See the full month-by-month plum calendar for zone 6 →

Can I grow Santa Rosa where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Santa Rosa? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Santa Rosa need?
Santa Rosa needs 300 chill hours.
Is Santa Rosa self-pollinating?
Santa Rosa is self-fertile, though a pollination partner can improve cropping.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Santa Rosa Plum — DWN Variety Finder — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Clemson Cooperative Extension (Home & Garden Information Center). Plum (HGIC 1362) — accessed July 2026