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Plum variety

Santa Rosa

Also known as Santa Rosa Plum

The short answer

Santa Rosa requires 300 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 5–10[2]. It is self-fertile[1].

Growing facts

Santa Rosa growing facts
Chill requirement300 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 5–10[2] (nursery figure)
PollinationSelf-fertile, bloom group 3[1]
Harvest windowJune–July[1]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for plums)[3]
USDA pomological watercolor of Santa Rosa plum
Prunus salicina: Santa RosaUSDA pomological watercolor, J. Marion Shull, 1935 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Plate provenance[4]

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.[5]
  • Brown rot is the most common disease of plums; fungicides labeled for peach brown rot can be used on plums.[5]

A year with your Santa Rosa

When the work happens for a plum in USDA zone 8, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Plum in zone 8
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune——————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing—————
Harvest————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month plum calendar for zone 8 →

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, starting with this month’s tasks for one tree, free.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Santa Rosa need?
Santa Rosa needs 300 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Santa Rosa?
Santa Rosa grows in USDA zones 5–10.
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] Dave Wilson Nursery. Santa Rosa — variety specifications — accessed October 2026
  3. [3] 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
  4. [4] USDA National Agricultural Library. USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection (Rare and Special Collections, 1886-1942) — accessed July 2026
  5. [5] Clemson Cooperative Extension (Home & Garden Information Center). Plum (HGIC 1362) — accessed July 2026