How to Grow Mirabelle Plum - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Mirabelle plum is a small, round fruit that is typically deep red or yellow in color. The skin is thin and the flesh is sweet and juicy. The stone is small and easy to remove. Mirabelle plums are native to Europe and have been cultivated since the Roman times. Today, they are grown in many parts of the world, including North America.

How to Grow Mirabelle Plum - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Small yellow plum
  • Sweet cherry plum
  • Nanking cherry
  • Stanley plum
  • Miracle fruit

Basic info

  • Mirabelle plums are a type of small, tart plum.
  • They are typically yellow or orange in color.
  • Mirabelle plums are native to northeastern France.
  • In France, they are used to make a variety of dishes, including jam, tarts, and liqueur.
  • Mirabelle plums are relatively difficult to find in the United States.
  • When ripe, they have a sweet-tart flavor.
  • Mirabelle plums are a good source of Vitamin C.
  • They can be eaten fresh or used in cooking.
  • Mirabelle plums should be stored in the refrigerator.

Planting Process

  1. For mirabelle plum, first step is to find a sunny spot in your yard that has well-drained soil.
  2. Amend your soil with compost or other organic matter to help with drainage and fertility.
  3. Choose a healthy, disease-free tree from a nursery or garden center.
  4. Plant your tree in the hole you have prepared, making sure that the root ball is level with or slightly higher than the surrounding soil.
  5. Backfill the hole with soil, tamping it down as you go to remove any air pockets.
  6. Water your tree deeply and regularly, especially during the first growing season.
  7. Fertilize your mirabelle plum tree in early spring and again in mid-summer, using a fertilizer designed for fruit trees.
  8. Prune your tree annually to encourage good air circulation and to keep the tree a manageable size.
  9. Harvest your mirabelle plums when they are ripe, typically in late summer or early fall.
  10. Enjoy your homegrown plums!

The Soil

About soil condition, the best way to grow a Mirabelle plum tree is in a deep, well-drained, sandy loam soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. The tree does not tolerate heavy, wet soils. The roots need to be in moist, but not wet, soil.

Light condition

Just like other stone fruits, Mirabelle plums require full sun to ripen properly. This means that they need at least 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Without enough sun, the fruit will be small, sour, and unripe. So, if you want to grow Mirabelle plums, make sure you have a sunny spot in your garden!

Good Temperature

The temperature conditions during the growing season have a big impact on the size and taste of the fruit. If the weather is too hot, the fruit will be small and have a bland taste. If the weather is too cold, the fruit will be large but have a sour taste. The ideal temperature for growing Mirabelle plums is between 20-25 degrees Celsius.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 50-70%. The humidity level should not be too high or too low. If the humidity level is too high, the plant will develop fungal diseases. If the humidity level is too low, the plant will experience stress and will not produce fruit.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, this plant needs is a low nitrogen, high phosphorus fertilizer with a root: to: shoot ratio of 4:1. This will encourage the plant to produce more fruit. The root system of the Mirabelle plum is very sensitive to waterlogging, so the soil must be well-drained.

About light

Pruning is a crucial step in keeping your mirabelle plum tree healthy and productive. Once the tree has reached its desired height, you'll need to remove any dead or diseased branches. You should also thin out the canopy to allow sunlight and air to reach the inner branches. This will also help prevent the formation of fungus and mildew.

The Propagation

Propagation is typically done by grafting or by rooting hardwood cuttings, since Mirabelle plums do not grow true from seed. Grafting is done in late winter, when the tree is dormant. Hardwood cuttings are taken from the previous year's growth and are planted in the fall.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the variety planted. The Dwarf Mirabelle, for example, grows 12 to 18 inches per year, while the Compact Mirabelle grows 24 to 36 inches per year. The average lifespan of a mirabelle plum tree is 15 to 20 years.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are powdery mildew, fungus gnat, and root-knot nematode. The powdery mildew will cause the leaves to have a white powdery coating. The fungus gnat will cause the leaves to have small holes in them. The root-knot nematode will cause the roots to be stunted and the leaves to turn yellow.

Tips on Growing

  • If growing mirabelle plum trees from seed, start them indoors in late winter or early spring.
  • Sow the seeds in individual pots filled with moist potting soil.
  • Keep the pots in a warm, bright location and water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
  • Once the seedlings emerge, thin them so that only the strongest one remains in each pot.
  • Transplant the seedlings into the ground in late spring or early summer, once they are large enough to handle.
  • Choose a planting location that receives full sun and has well-drained soil.
  • Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the seedling, and then gently backfill the hole.
  • Water the tree well immediately after planting.
  • Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the tree to help conserve moisture and discourage weed growth.

Substitution

  • Mirabilis longiflora
  • Mirabilus indicus
  • Mirabilus pluriflorus
  • MirabilusMultiflora
  • Mirabilus jalapa
  • Mirabilus nebrodensis
  • Mirabilus ixorae
  • Mirabilus scaber
  • Mirabilus atrococcineus
  • Mirabilus balsaminae

Source:
Paul Mirabelle - Australian Institute of Business
Eduroam Network Registration Instructions - Pacific Lutheran University
About Pacific Lutheran University's School of Nursing - absn.plu.edu

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