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Plum variety

Satsuma

Also known as Satsuma Plum, Blood Plum

The short answer

Satsuma requires 300 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 6–10[2]. It needs a pollination partner[1].

Growing facts

Satsuma growing facts
Chill requirement300 chill hours[1] (nursery figure)
HardinessUSDA zones 6–10[2] (nursery figure)
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[1]
Harvest windowAugust[1]
Years to bearing3–5 years (typical for plums)[3]
Satsuma plumSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Satsuma blooms in group 3. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 10 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Japanese-type blood plum; not self-fruitful — pollenized by Santa Rosa or Beauty.[1]
  • Many Japanese plums are self-unfruitful and must be pollinated by another Japanese variety.[4]

A year with your Satsuma

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 Satsuma where I live?

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

Growing a Satsuma? 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 Satsuma need?
Satsuma needs 300 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Satsuma?
Satsuma grows in USDA zones 6–10.
Is Satsuma self-pollinating?
No — Satsuma needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] Dave Wilson Nursery. Satsuma Plum — DWN Variety Finder — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] Dave Wilson Nursery. Satsuma — 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] Clemson Cooperative Extension (Home & Garden Information Center). Plum (HGIC 1362) — accessed July 2026