Carissa macrocarpa

Now here’s a plant that’s got it all! Natal Plum, also known as Num Num in its native South Africa, is a frost and drought tolerant, evergreen, fruiting shrub that’s easy to grow as a hedge or large bush. Did we mention the flowers smell like Gardenia? Botanically known as Carissa macrocarpa, Natal Plum is a popular fruiting shrub that is even beginning to see some small scale commercial fruit production in South Africa. Contrary to popular urban legend, the fruits are not poisonous, but are in fact much appreciated for their sweet and mild flavor.

Eventually growing up to 6 feet tall and wide, Natal Plum responds well to pruning and is adaptable from full sun to part shade. The trickiest part about growing this shrub is planting it somewhere where the heavenly scent of the flowers can be appreciated without brushing past it’s thorns.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 9a or to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

10 dried seeds