Carissa Macrocarpa ‘Desert Star’ (Natal Plum)

Carissa macrocarpa ‘Desert Star’, commonly known as Natal Plum, is a tough yet highly ornamental shrub prized for its glossy, deep green foliage and bright white, star-shaped flowers that contrast beautifully against its dense, compact form. The flowers are lightly fragrant and followed by attractive red, plum-like fruit, adding both visual interest and seasonal appeal. Its naturally tidy growth and rich foliage make it an excellent choice for hedging, borders, and feature planting, delivering a polished look with minimal effort.

Exceptionally hardy and low maintenance, Natal Plum ‘Desert Star’ is well suited to coastal and dry conditions, thriving in full sun and tolerating heat, wind, and poor soils once established. Its dense, thorny structure also makes it ideal for security hedging or privacy screening. With its combination of durability, year-round greenery, and decorative flowers and fruit, this variety offers outstanding value for gardeners seeking a resilient, multi-purpose plant that performs reliably in challenging environments.

Mature Height: 1–1.5 m

Mature Width: 1–1.5 m

Spacing Needed: 1–1.5 m apart for hedging; 1.5–2 m for feature planting

Colours: Glossy deep green foliage, white star-shaped flowers, followed by red fruit

Flowering Period: Spring to autumn, with intermittent flowering throughout the year in warm climates

Evergreen/Deciduous: Evergreen

Sunlight Tolerance: Full sun to partial shade

Maintenance: Low maintenance; drought tolerant once established, responds well to pruning for shaping, and thrives in well-drained soil

Root System: Moderate, fibrous root system; non-invasive and suitable for hedging and garden beds