How to grow Davidson Plum in Australia
Davidson plum is an Australian rainforest tree from northern New South Wales and Queensland that carries clusters of very sour, dark purple fruit straight off its trunk. The fruit is too tart to eat fresh but makes outstanding jam, sauce and cordial. It wants a sheltered, part-shaded, moist spot, and its slim, upright habit fits a small garden.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Davidson Plum in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to February | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to February | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | October to January | Plant Oct to Jan in a sheltered, part shaded spot with moist soil. The NSW Davidson plum is the better choice this far south; protect young trees from frost in the west. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Native rainforest fruit; frost-sensitive. Melbourne winter kills saplings. Unsuitable. |
| Adelaide & SA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Davidson Plum tropical native. Outside Adelaide/Perth climatic range. |
| Perth & WA | Not suited | Mediterranean: unsuitable. Davidson Plum tropical native. Outside Adelaide/Perth climatic range. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Tropical rainforest native killed by frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Davidson Plum unsuitable for Canberra: tropical Australian native; requires frost-free climate. Not viable. |
| North Queensland | September to February | Wet season. Davidson plum is Australian tropical native; fruits in tropical north. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to February | Wet season. Davidson plum is a north Queensland rainforest tree, so in Darwin keep the soil moist and mulched and give it some shade through the long dry season. |
Where to plant
Davidson plum is a rainforest understorey tree, so give it what it gets in the forest: part shade, shelter from damaging and drying winds, and deep, friable soil rich in organic matter that stays moist but drains well. It prefers warm climates and will grow in cooler districts only where it is protected from frost. Hot, dry, exposed spots set it back badly, particularly while it is young.
In the open it stays more compact and slender than in the forest, and it can be pruned to shape, which makes it a good tree for a narrow, sheltered bed.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: its home climate. Plant from September to February in a sheltered, part-shaded spot.
- Sydney: plant from October to January in a sheltered, part-shaded spot with moist soil. The New South Wales species (Davidsonia jerseyana) is the better choice this far south. Protect young trees from frost in western Sydney.
- North Queensland and Darwin: plant in the wet season, from September to February. The Queensland species (Davidsonia pruriens) comes from north Queensland rainforest. Keep the soil moist and mulched through the dry season.
- Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Hobart: our calendar marks these as unsuitable, because of frost or hot, dry summers.
Choosing a variety
| Species | Notes |
|---|---|
| NSW Davidson plum (Davidsonia jerseyana) | A small tree to about 5 m from lowland subtropical northern New South Wales. Fruits in early to mid summer and can start in its third year. Endangered in the wild but widely grown |
| Queensland Davidson plum, or ooray (Davidsonia pruriens) | The tallest, to about 12 m, with larger fruit in big clusters on the trunk and branches. Fruits in winter in its native habitat and often not until year five or six in gardens |
| Smooth Davidson plum (Davidsonia johnsonii) | A small, spreading tree with smooth leaves. Endangered in the wild. Its fruit is seedless, so it is grown from cuttings, suckers or division |
How to plant
- Plant in the warm months so the tree establishes before winter.
- Dig plenty of compost or other organic matter into a wide area of soil.
- Water the plant in its pot well, then plant it at the same depth it sat in the pot.
- Water in deeply and mulch thickly with leaf litter or another organic mulch, keeping it clear of the trunk.
- Shelter young trees from hot sun and wind for the first summer, for example with shade cloth, if the spot is more open than ideal.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil moist. Davidson plum needs regular watering, or high natural rainfall, and most of all while it flowers and fruits. A thick, renewed layer of organic mulch keeps the shallow roots cool and stops the soil drying out between waterings.
Feed lightly in spring and summer with a slow-release fertiliser suited to native plants, or with compost and aged manure. Go lightly, as heavy feeding is not needed.
Harvesting
The NSW Davidson plum ripens in early to mid summer, and the Queensland species in winter in its home range. The fruit is ripe when it is a deep, dark purple, slightly soft, and comes away from the trunk with a gentle pull or falls. Collect fallen fruit promptly before it bruises or is eaten.
Ripe fruit keeps for a few days in the fridge and freezes well, whole or as pulp, for making jam later.
Growing in pots
The slender NSW Davidson plum grows well in a large pot at least 50 cm wide, filled with a quality potting mix, in a bright, sheltered spot out of hot afternoon sun. Gardening Australia notes it does well in a shaded, protected position and can even be grown indoors in good light. Water regularly so the mix never dries out, and feed lightly through the warm months.
Using it
The skin is dark blue-purple and the flesh a deep reddish pink. It is far more sour than a European plum, so it is cooked rather than eaten fresh: jam, sauces and glazes for meat, cordial, chutney, sorbet and desserts. A little goes a long way and gives a vivid colour.
Propagation and saving seed
The NSW and Queensland species grow from seed. Separate the seed from the flesh (keep the flesh for jam), soak or clean the seed, and sow it fresh in a moist, warm, shaded spot. The smooth Davidson plum sets no viable seed, so it is grown from cuttings, suckers or division.
Companion planting
Davidson plum looks and grows best among other rainforest and native plants that share its sheltered, moist, part-shaded spot and help keep the soil cool.
Good companions
- Native plants Local rainforest shrubs, ferns and groundcovers shelter the young tree, keep the soil cool and moist, and bring in birds and insects.
Pests and diseases
Most losses are to animals that want the fruit as much as you do.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Small puncture marks in ripening fruit, which then rots from the inside. Pick fruit as it ripens and collect fallen fruit.
- Birds Ripening fruit pecked or taken from the trunk. Net the tree or bag clusters as they colour.
- Possums Fruit taken at night, often with leaves chewed. A net over a small tree or a tree guard helps.
Davidson Plum is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
Can you eat Davidson plums raw?
You can, but most people find them far too sour. The fruit is usually cooked into jam, sauce or cordial, or used in desserts and sorbet, where its sharp flavour and deep colour shine.
How long does a Davidson plum tree take to fruit?
The NSW Davidson plum can fruit in its third year. The Queensland species is slower and often takes five or six years or more in gardens.
Can Davidson plum grow in a pot?
Yes. The slender NSW species grows well in a pot at least 50 cm wide in a bright, sheltered spot out of hot afternoon sun. Keep the mix moist and feed lightly in the warm months.
Does Davidson plum need full sun?
No. It is a rainforest understorey tree and does best in part shade, sheltered from wind. Hot, exposed, dry spots set it back, especially while it is young.
Which Davidson plum should I grow?
For most gardens, and anywhere south of south east Queensland, the NSW Davidson plum (Davidsonia jerseyana) is the most practical: smaller, earlier fruiting and suited to a pot. The Queensland species suits large, warm, tropical or subtropical gardens.
Can I grow Davidson plum from seed?
The NSW and Queensland species can be grown from fresh seed cleaned of its flesh. The smooth Davidson plum sets no viable seed and is grown from cuttings or suckers.
Sources we checked: Sustainable Gardening Australia: Davidson's plum; Gardening Australia: Aussie Indoors; Gardening Australia: Native Fruit; Gardening Australia: A Bush Food Garden.