Common NameDate Plum
FamilyEbenaceae
USDA hardiness7-9
Known HazardsNone known
HabitatsMixed mountain forests to 1500 metres in China.
RangeE. Asia – China, Japan. Himalayas.
Edibility Rating        (5 of 5)
Other Uses        (3 of 5)
Weed PotentialNo
Medicinal Rating        (1 of 5)
Care (info)Fully HardyMoist SoilSemi-shadeFull sun
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus
Date Plum - Diospyros lotus

How to Grow, Propagate, Harvest & Use Date Plum (Diospyros lotus): Complete Guide

The Date Plum (Diospyros lotus) — often called “Lilac Persimmon,” “Caucasian Persimmon,” or “God’s Fruit” — is an ancient fruit tree beloved for its sweet, date-and-plum-like flavors and glossy blackish fruits. Native to Asia and the Caucasus region, it has been cultivated for centuries for both ornamental beauty and food value.

Below is a detailed guide on cultivation, propagation, varieties, culinary uses, and harvest timing.

What Makes Date Plum Unique

  • Flavor profile: Honeyed, date-like sweetness with hints of plum and cocoa.
  • Fruit type: Small, usually 1–2 cm diameter.
  • Texture: Firm when unripe; melts to jelly-like softness when ripe.
  • Botanical family: Ebenaceae (same family as persimmons).
  • Tree appeal: Attractive foliage, excellent fall color, high ornamental value.
  • Climate use: Performs well in Mediterranean, temperate, and subtropical climates.

Its unique flavor, nutritional density, and adaptability are helping it reemerge in modern specialty orchards and edible landscapes.

How to Grow Date Plum

Hardiness & Climate

  • USDA Zones: 6–10
  • Best suited for warm summers + mild to moderately cold winters.
  • Thrives in continental climates with long growing seasons.

Soil Requirements

  • Well-drained loam or sandy loam
  • pH: 5.5–7.5
  • Moderate organic matter; tolerates poor soil once established

Sun Exposure

  • Full sun for superior fruit production
  • Partial shade decreases sugar content and overall yield

Watering

  • Drought tolerant once mature
  • Best yields with deep, infrequent irrigation
  • Young trees require consistent moisture

Spacing

  • Mature width: 4–6 m
  • Plant 4–5 m apart in orchard rows
  • Avoid crowded planting for airflow & disease prevention

Fertilization

  • Spring nitrogen for vegetative growth
  • Compost + potassium toward summer for fruit quality
  • Avoid heavy nitrogen late in season to prevent late, frost-sensitive growth

Propagation Methods

Date Plum can be propagated via:

1. Seed Propagation

  • Cold stratify seeds for 60–90 days
  • Germination rate improves with fresh seed
  • Produces variable offspring (not true-to-type)
  • Ideal for rootstock production

2. Grafting

Most common commercial method:

  • Graft Diospyros lotus scions onto D. kaki or D. virginiana rootstocks for vigor and adaptability.
  • Provides predictable fruiting and earlier yields.

3. Cuttings

Hardwood cuttings can root, though with lower success.

  • Treat cut ends with rooting hormone
  • Keep humid & warm during rooting phase

4. Suckers

Mature trees sometimes produce basal suckers

  • Best transplanted during dormancy
  • Highest genetic fidelity besides grafting

Common Varieties & Local Selections

Unlike Asian and American persimmons, Date Plum varieties are mostly regional and selected by tradition rather than standardized commercial naming.

Common informal types include:

• Large-Fruited Caucasian Type

  • Slightly larger berries
  • Rich purple-black coloration
  • Higher fresh eating quality

• Central Asian Type

  • Superior drying characteristics
  • Intense date-like sweetness
  • Favorable for confectionery uses

• Mediterranean Ornamental Type

  • Selected for foliage & tree form
  • Fruit secondary to landscape value

Breeding programs are still emerging, so expect more named cultivars in future specialty orchard markets.

Pests & Diseases

Date Plum is impressively resilient. Common issues include:

  • Scale insects
  • Mealybugs
  • Ants (due to honeydew)
  • Leaf spot (wet climates)
  • Fruit cracking (irregular irrigation)

Organic strategies include:

  • Dormant oil spray in winter
  • Mulching for moisture control
  • Balanced pruning for airflow

Flowering & Pollination

  • Typically dioecious (male & female trees separate)
  • Some self-fertile types exist
  • Pollination by insects & wind
  • Fruit set significantly increased with both sexes present
  • Bloom occurs late spring to early summer

Harvesting Date Plum

Fruit ripens late — often September through November depending on climate.

Indicators of readiness:

  • Skin turns deep purple to black
  • Fruit softens
  • Astringency fades with ripeness or drying
  • Birds show interest (a classic sign!)

Post-harvest, fruits can:

  • Ferment slightly
  • Shrivel into date-like candies
  • Be cooked into sauces
  • Be dried for winter storage

Nutritional & Health Benefits

Date Plum is rich in:

  • Polyphenols
  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin C
  • Fiber
  • Natural sugars
  • Tannins

Traditionally valued for:

  • Digestive support
  • Anti-inflammatory effects
  • Energy/tonic uses

Culinary Uses & Food Ideas

Date Plum fruit is naturally versatile. Use it:

Fresh

  • Eaten fully ripe (jelly-soft!)
  • Added to cheese boards
  • Used as garnish for desserts

Dried

  • Traditionally dried like dates
  • Chewy, sugary texture
  • Long shelf life; excellent snack food

Cooked

  • Jam & preserves
  • Syrups
  • Pastes for pastries
  • Slow-cooked reductions for sauces

Baked

In pies, cakes, and sweet breads:

  • Pairs well with chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg

Fermented

Historically used to produce low-alcohol fruit wines or syrups (regional traditions vary)

Landscape & Homestead Uses

Beyond food, Date Plum is appreciated for:

  • Ornamental tree form
  • Fall foliage
  • Pollinator support
  • Shade & habitat value
  • Windbreak potential (in clusters)
  • Rootstock for grafting persimmons

When to Plant Date Plum

Best planted during:

  • Late winter to early spring in cold climates
  • Fall to early winter in warm climates

Bare root trees perform exceptionally well when planted dormant.

Tips for Maximum Yield & Flavor

To boost fruit quality:

✔ Ensure full sun exposure
✔ Thin excessive fruit in heavy years
✔ Maintain even watering during fruit expansion
✔ Allow full ripening — flavor transforms late
✔ Consider dual planting for pollination support

Final Thoughts

Date Plum (Diospyros lotus) is a low-maintenance, high-reward fruit tree with ancient cultural value and modern culinary potential. From drying into natural “dates” to baking into spiced confections, it offers flavor and nutrition with minimal orchard inputs.

Whether planted for food, ornamental value, or biodiversity, it fits beautifully into home gardens, climate-resilient landscapes, and specialty orchards.

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