Common Name: Cocoplum, Red-Tip Cocoplum
Scientific Name: Chrysobalanus icaco
Type of Plant: Shrub
Description: Cocoplum, a South Florida native, is an outstanding texture plant with a “beachy” look, producing an edible plum which many critters (including people) enjoy. Rounded, shiny green leaves are set off by red-tipped new growth.
Mature Size: 8-10′ tall x 8-10′ wide
Blooms: The plant produces small white flowers, followed by fruit that’s often made into jelly…or as an attraction in a wildlife garden.
Fruit: The plum is pink and ripens to purple with a fairly bland flavor, and the almond-flavored seeds can be roasted and eaten or crushed for use in cooking.
Climate Requirements: A full to part sun location is best, though these shrubs will grow in part shade.
Care Requirements: Trim as needed, with a hard pruning in spring if you need to control the plant’s size. You can shear this shrub with hedge trimmers for a more manicured appearance or branch trim for a natural look. Fertilize 3 times a year – in spring, summer, and autumn – with a good granular fertilizer.
Spacing: Space plants 36-48″ apart
Water Needs: Water on a regular basis with time to let the plant dry out a bit between waterings. Once this shrub is well-established, it will tolerate a moderate amount of drought and watering only during dry spells, though it does better with regular irrigation.
Maintenance: Low
Special Uses/Attributes: Terrific as hedge shrubs or privacy plants, these native Florida plants can grow to about 15 feet if you let them – though most of the time they’re kept trimmed to around 4 feet. This is an easy-care plant that can be kept more manicured for a formal look or left to grow in its naturally pretty rounded shape in a casual landscape style.
Florida Native: Yes