Overview

Experience the joy of growing your own exotic fruits with a hog plum live plant. Also known by its botanical name Spondias pinnata tree, this tropical gem is a fantastic addition to any garden in warmer climates or as a container plant in cooler regions. Originating from Southeast Asia and parts of the Pacific, the hog plum is cherished for its distinctive, tangy fruits that can be enjoyed fresh, juiced, or used in various culinary applications. This particular offering provides a healthy, established plant in a 1-gallon pot, ensuring a robust start for your gardening adventure. The Spondias pinnata is not only a producer of delicious fruit but also an attractive ornamental tree, featuring lush green foliage and an upright growth habit, making it a focal point in any landscape or patio setting. Cultivating a hog plum live plant allows you to savor the unique flavors of the tropics right from your backyard, providing a rewarding experience for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Known for its hardiness and adaptability within its preferred zones, the hog plum can grow into a medium to large tree, offering ample shade and a bountiful harvest. The fruits are typically oval-shaped, turning yellow or orange when ripe, with a fibrous pulp that is both sweet and tart. This makes them incredibly versatile for drinks, jams, and sauces. Our hog plum live plant is carefully nurtured to ensure it arrives healthy and ready to thrive, providing you with the best possible start for your tropical fruit cultivation journey. Whether you’re an avid collector of tropical plants or simply looking to add a unique edible to your garden, the Spondias pinnata is an excellent choice that promises both beauty and delicious rewards.

Key Benefits

Adding a hog plum live plant to your collection offers a multitude of benefits, from its exotic fruit production to its aesthetic appeal. This versatile tree is a true garden asset:

• Delicious, Exotic Fruit: Enjoy the unique, tangy-sweet flavor of fresh hog plums, perfect for eating raw, making juices, jams, or savory dishes. Growing your own ensures the freshest possible harvest.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its fruit, the Spondias pinnata tree boasts attractive, lush green foliage and a graceful form, making it a beautiful addition to any landscape or patio. It provides excellent shade in warmer climates.
• Adaptable Growth: While a tropical species, the hog plum can be grown in containers in cooler regions, allowing you to move it indoors during winter, extending its reach beyond its natural hardiness zones.
• Source of Nutrients: Hog plums are known to be rich in vitamins and minerals, offering a healthy and refreshing addition to your diet directly from your garden.
• Unique Garden Specimen: Stand out from typical fruit trees with this less common but highly rewarding tropical specimen. It’s an excellent choice for those interested in growing hog plum and expanding their edible garden.
• Pollinator Friendly: The flowers of the hog plum live plant can attract various pollinators, contributing to the biodiversity and health of your garden ecosystem.
• Relatively Low Maintenance: Once established, this tree is quite resilient and doesn’t demand excessive care, making it suitable for gardeners looking for a rewarding, yet manageable, fruit-bearing tree.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your hog plum live plant is crucial for ensuring a bountiful harvest and healthy growth. Originating from tropical climates, Spondias pinnata tree thrives in conditions that mimic its natural habitat. For sunlight, this tree prefers full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. If growing indoors or in a greenhouse in cooler climates, ensure it receives the brightest light possible, supplemented with grow lights if necessary. In extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent leaf scorch, especially for young plants. Proper watering is key; the soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings, especially during the active growing season. Reduce watering frequency in cooler months or if the plant is dormant.

The ideal soil for growing hog plum is well-draining, fertile, and rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is preferred. When planting in the ground, amend heavy clay soils with compost and sand to improve drainage. For container-grown plants, use a high-quality potting mix formulated for tropical fruit trees. USDA hardiness zones for the hog plum are typically 9-11, where it can be grown outdoors year-round. In zones below 9, it is best grown in a large container and moved indoors to a bright, frost-free location during winter. Fertilize your hog plum live plant every 2-3 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or a liquid feed specifically designed for fruit trees. Pruning should focus on removing dead or diseased branches and shaping the tree for optimal fruit production and air circulation. Watch out for common pests like aphids or scale, and treat with organic insecticidal soap if necessary.

Size & Details

This hog plum live plant is supplied in a 1-gallon nursery pot, ensuring it has a well-established root system and is ready for planting upon arrival. Typically, the young plant will stand approximately 12-24 inches tall from the base of the pot, though individual sizes may vary slightly. The Spondias pinnata is a moderately fast grower and can reach a mature height of 30-60 feet in its native tropical environment when planted in the ground. When grown in a container, its size can be managed through regular pruning and pot size, typically reaching 6-15 feet. The fruits usually mature within 3-5 years from planting, though this can vary depending on growing conditions and care. Expect a healthy, vigorous plant with lush green leaves, ready to adapt to your garden or patio. The plant is shipped in its nursery pot with soil to minimize transplant shock and ensure a smooth transition to its new home. This tropical fruit tree for sale is a long-term investment that will provide years of enjoyment and delicious harvests.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this hog plum live plant get? A: In its natural habitat, the Spondias pinnata tree can grow 30-60 feet tall. When grown in a container, its size can be controlled with pruning, typically reaching 6-15 feet, making it manageable for patios or indoor spaces.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This hog plum live plant is shipped in a 1-gallon nursery pot, providing a strong foundation for continued growth once transplanted into your garden or a larger container.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The hog plum is a tropical plant best suited for outdoor planting in USDA Zones 9-11. In cooler zones, it can thrive as a container plant, moved indoors during the winter months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This tropical fruit tree for sale requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily, to produce the best fruit and maintain vigorous growth.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Once established, the hog plum is relatively low-maintenance. It requires consistent watering, well-draining soil, and protection from frost, making it suitable for gardeners with some experience in tropical plants.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your hog plum live plant will arrive carefully packaged in its nursery pot with soil, ensuring it is healthy and ready for planting, minimizing any stress from transit.
• Q: When is the best time to plant a hog plum? A: The best time for growing hog plum is in spring or early summer, after all danger of frost has passed, allowing the plant ample time to establish itself before cooler weather.
• Q: What is the ideal soil for this plant? A: Hog plums prefer well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal for optimal growth and fruit production.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: If you are outside USDA Zones 9-11, your hog plum will need protection from frost. It should be brought indoors to a warm, bright location once temperatures drop below 40°F (4°C) to ensure its survival.