Date plum
Diospyros lotus · Ebenaceae
📷 Zeynel Cebeci · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around date plum and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Ebenaceae
- Type
- Fruit tree
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June
- Fruits
- Small sweet edible drupes
- Adult size
- Approximately 8 meters
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Central and southern Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Lotus persimmon thrives in deep, well-drained soil. In the first years, water moderately during dry spells, then it becomes very self-sufficient. Don't mulch at the base—it dislikes prolonged moisture around the collar.
The common mistake
Too much watering or compacted soil: roots suffocate and fruiting disappears, even in mature trees.
The pro's trick
Leave fruits well-ripened on the tree before harvesting—a hard fruit stays astringent.
Care
Exposure and light
The lotus date plum requires full sun exposure to fruit well and develop its full flavor. Plant it in an open location, away from the shade of other trees. Good sunlight also improves disease resistance.
Watering
Water requirements are moderate. Water regularly during the first two years to establish a strong root system. Once established, the tree tolerates dry periods well, but watering during hot summers promotes better fruiting.
Soil
The lotus date plum adapts to most soils but prefers well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Avoid overly chalky soils and ensure good drainage to prevent root suffocation from excess moisture.
Pruning and training
Light pruning in late winter is sufficient to maintain a nice structure and remove dead branches. Avoid severe pruning that would reduce fruiting. For a container-grown tree, prune to maintain a compact and balanced shape.
Fertilization
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring to support growth. Reduce nitrogen content as flowering approaches to favor fruiting. Add organic matter (compost) each autumn to gradually enrich the soil.
Diseases and pests
The lotus date plum is generally robust. Watch for scale insects or aphids in case of water stress. Good drainage and regular aeration prevent fungal diseases related to stagnant moisture.
Did you know?
The lotus date plum is one of the oldest domesticated fruit trees: it was already cultivated in central Asia over two thousand years ago. Its small sweet fruits, enjoyed in autumn, inspired legends in southern Asia, where it was called the 'lotus tree' because of its delicacy. In the West, long overlooked, it's making a comeback among fruit growers seeking hardy, undemanding species.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- PersimmonDiospyros kaki
- American persimmonDiospyros virginiana
- Texas persimmonDiospyros texana
- Ebony diospyrosDiospyros mespiliformis
- GrapevineVitis vinifera
- CamelliaCamellia japonica
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.