Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’

Low Growing Natal Plum

Boething Treeland Farms grows over 1,000 varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials and specialty plants on 10 California nurseries to serve the wholesale landscape and nursery industries throughout the Western United States and beyond.

Plant Type: Ground Covers / Shrubs

Evergreen-Deciduous: Evergreen

Overall Mature Size: Small

Also Grown As: Bush

Mature Height & Spread: 1-1 1/2' x 4'

Natural Growth Habit: Spreading

Native To: Africa

Exposure: Full Sun, Partial Shade

Water: Medium Water, Low Water

Flower Color: White

Bloom Time: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Special Features: Drought Resistant / Edible / Seacoast Conditions / Shade Tolerant

Container Sizes: #1, #5

Sunset Garden Zones: 22-24

A Bit More

As the name might imply, Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’ is a low growing variety, suitable for low hedges or dense groundcover. Glossy green foliage is graced with sweet smelling little white flowers and bright red fruits. The small fruit are edible and taste something like a cranberry, but sweeter. Watch for the spines if you decide to harvest them. As tasty as the fruit are, do be careful not to ingest any other part of the plant as the leaves and flowers are quite toxic. It’s worth remembering that Carissa is in the Dogbane family of plants. Carissa macrocarpa does best in sandy soil and full sun. Natal plum is moderately drought tolerant and capable of dealing with salt spray and saline soils, so adding that touch of formal green to a beach house turns out to be far easier than it could be. For best results, plant Carissa macrocarpa where it will get full sun, and be protected from frost.

A Bit More

As the name might imply, Carissa macrocarpa ‘Green Carpet’ is a low growing variety, suitable for low hedges or dense groundcover. Glossy green foliage is graced with sweet smelling little white flowers and bright red fruits. The small fruit are edible and taste something like a cranberry, but sweeter. Watch for the spines if you decide to harvest them. As tasty as the fruit are, do be careful not to ingest any other part of the plant as the leaves and flowers are quite toxic. It’s worth remembering that Carissa is in the Dogbane family of plants. Carissa macrocarpa does best in sandy soil and full sun. Natal plum is moderately drought tolerant and capable of dealing with salt spray and saline soils, so adding that touch of formal green to a beach house turns out to be far easier than it could be. For best results, plant Carissa macrocarpa where it will get full sun, and be protected from frost.