Red Spanish/Hog Plum, Ciruela, Jocote Rojo, Mombin Tree

The Red Spanish Plum (Spondias purpurea), also known as Hog Plum, Ciruela, Jocote Rojo, or Mombin, is a fast-growing tropical fruit tree with a distinctive dormancy cycle, bearing flowers and tangy fruit directly on its branches. Propagated by cuttings and grown in Homestead, Florida, it ships in a 3-gallon container.

At a glance

• Botanical name: Spondias purpurea
• Propagation: Grown from cuttings
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Water: Regular; well-drained, moisture-retaining soil
• Container: 3-gallon, about 6 to 12 months old
• Fruiting: Typically begins in 1 to 2 years
• Type: Edible tropical fruit tree

Best for

• Small and large subtropical gardens
• Gardeners who enjoy a seasonal dormancy and spring bloom
• Fresh eating and culinary use
• Green fruit in East Indian cuisine
• A fast-growing, attractive landscape tree

How to grow

Plant in well-drained, fertile soil that retains moisture, in full sun to partial shade. The tree sheds its leaves in winter and awakens in spring, producing blossoms that give way to fruit in roughly 45 to 60 days. Water regularly in the growing season, feed with a balanced fertilizer, and prune to maintain shape.

Flavor profile

The plums are delicious and tangy, enjoyed fresh when ripe or eaten while still green, as is popular in East Indian cuisine.

About Everglades Farm

Everglades Farm grows its Red Spanish Plum trees in Homestead, Florida, where the subtropical climate supports robust growth and fruit production.