Green Carpet Natal Plum
Best low-maintenance groundcover for gardeners seeking edible fruit and wildlife appeal.
The Green Carpet Natal Plum is a low-growing, spreading evergreen shrub that offers both ornamental beauty and edible fruit. Its dense, ground-hugging habit makes it ideal as a groundcover or in containers. The plant features glossy, dark green foliage, which emerges with a coppery-bronze hue in spring, and produces delicate, star-shaped white flowers. In the fall, it yields tart red berries, perfect for culinary uses. This deer-resistant shrub thrives in full sun and is a great choice for attracting birds and butterflies to your garden.
$14.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
857
/ 2596
#857 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
-62%
Below average
Mature Height
18
/ inches
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking low-maintenance weed suppression and year-round greenery
- Xeriscaping enthusiasts living in hot, arid climates
- Homeowners wanting fragrant, aromatic outdoor living spaces
Who should skip it
- Families with small children or pets in high-traffic areas
- Gardeners living in regions with frequent frost or cold winters
- Sensitive individuals prone to skin irritation from plant sap
Performance breakdown
Groundcover Efficiency
Dense, spreading habit creates a lush, weed-suppressing carpet with minimal effort.
Wildlife Attraction
Reliably draws birds and butterflies to your garden throughout the season.
Maintenance Ease
Slow growth rate keeps pruning requirements low for busy gardeners.
Culinary Utility
Tart red berries offer a unique, edible bonus for home preserves.
Deer Resistance
Robust foliage stands up well against common garden browsing pests.
Urban Adaptability
Thrives in city environments despite common levels of local pollution.
Key Specs
Mature Height
18 inches
Mature Width
4 feet
Light Needs
Full Sun
Foliage Color
Green, Coppery-bronze (new growth)
Bloom Time
Early Spring to Late Fall
Growth Rate
Slow
Hardiness Zone
9a
Water Needs
Average to Moist
Features
- Edible red berries for cooking and preserves
- Dense, spreading habit ideal for groundcover
- Glossy, year-round green foliage
- Deer resistant, protecting your garden
- Attracts birds and butterflies
- Features dainty white star-shaped flowers
- Tolerant of urban pollution
- Low maintenance care
What customers say
The sentiment surrounding the Green Carpet Natal Plum is overwhelmingly positive, centered on its superior quality and remarkable ease of use. Consumers consistently celebrate its ability to quickly form a dense, lush groundcover, effectively suppressing weeds and transforming challenging landscape areas. Its noted hardiness and drought tolerance once established confirm its reliability, making it a highly valued, low maintenance solution for gardeners seeking lasting aesthetic appeal without constant upkeep.
Know before you buy
This shrub stays low to the ground, reaching a mature height of about 18 inches. It spreads horizontally, typically growing to a width of 4 feet.
Yes, the red berries produced in the fall are edible and commonly used in cooking, jams, and preserves. They have a tart flavor profile.
The Green Carpet Natal Plum is considered low maintenance. Because it has a slow growth rate and a dense, spreading habit, it requires minimal pruning to keep its shape.
Yes, this variety is deer-resistant, making it a reliable choice for landscapes where deer frequently browse.
Absolutely. Its spreading, low-growing habit makes it well-suited for containers, provided the pot has good drainage and the plant receives full sun.
This shrub thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil. It prefers average to moist watering conditions to maintain its glossy, evergreen foliage.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$15