Description
Carissa macrocarpa is a dense, evergreen shrub valued for its glossy foliage, fragrant star-shaped white flowers, and edible red fruits. Typically growing 1 to 3 meters tall, it forms a compact, rounded shape with forked spines, making it a popular choice for hedging, security planting, and ornamental landscaping. Native to coastal South Africa, it thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating salt, wind, heat, and drought once established. The fruits have a pleasantly sweet-tart flavor and can be eaten fresh or used for jams and desserts. Ideal for coastal gardens, urban landscapes, and container cultivation in warm climates.
Germination Guide
🌍 Tropical and southern Africa, coastal regions of Eastern Cape and Natal
Moderate
Carissa macrocarpa is a thorny evergreen shrub native to coastal regions of eastern and southern Africa. Commonly known as Natal plum, it produces fragrant white flowers followed by edible crimson fruits. Seeds germinate within 2-8 weeks with proper pre-treatment, though germination can be inconsistent due to seed coat hardness.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
14 – 56 days
Temperature
Min 20°C
Ideal 25°C
Max 30°C
Substrate moisture
💧💧 High
Sowing depth
Lightly covered
Seed Pre-treatment
-
💧
Soaking — 18 hours
Soak in tepid water for 12-24 hours before sowing
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🔨
Mechanical scarification
Hard seed coat requires scarification (mechanical or chemical methods); lightly filing or nicking the seed coat improves germination
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📋
Additional notes
Treat seed with pre-emergence fungicide before sowing; scarification recommended to overcome hard seed coat dormancy
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
well-draining sandy compost or seed mix
Recommended container
seed tray
Growing Tips
Seeds should be sown fresh when possible. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged. Development of seedlings is initially slow. Plants cultivated from seeds bear fruits within the first two years. Cuttings are preferred for propagation as they maintain parent plant characteristics.
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