Date Plum, Diospyros lotus, is a small, deciduous fruit bearing tree, growing to 10 meters tall and 6 meters in canopy diameter at an average rate, but it grows larger in warmer areas. Diospyros lotus is a member of the family Ebenaceae the genus Diospyros. It is an indigenous to South Eastern Europe and Western Asia and a close relative to the Persimmon.


Leaves of the Diospyros lotus are about 10 – 12 cm long, alternate, elliptic to ovate-oblong, 2.5-6 cm wide, glossy dark green, turn beautiful golden in autumn.

Flowers of the Date Plum are small and yellow-green, dioecious. Individual flowers are either male, or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female flowers must be present if seed is wanted. The plant is not self-fertile however; the female tree can produce seedless fruits in the absence of a pollinator.

Date Plum fruit is consumed raw, cooked or dried in which case they have a date-like flavor, hence the name date plum. They are also used in making of dried fruit leathers, jams and jellies, sweets, ice-cream and sweet sauces. The fruit pulp freezes well and It can be used to make a brandy.

Tree propagation is by seed; generally germination takes 1 – 6 months at 15°C. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be used also in propagation. It is best to plant seedlings out in their permanent location as soon as possible and to give some shelter over wintertime for the first year or two.

Diospyros lotus prefers a moist but well-drained, good deep loamy soil. It favors a sunny location but it can grow in semi-shade. It is a hardy tree to well below -20ºC.


Date Plum, Diospyros lotus

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