Green Carpet Natal Plum

Carissa macrocarpa 'Green Carpet'

Light

Water

Low to moderate water once established. Water deeply, then let the upper soil dry before watering again; irrigate more frequently during extreme summer heat and establishment.

Size

1-2 ft tall × 3-6 ft wide

Habit

Groundcover – trailing

Toxicity

Toxic — Pets

Description

A low-growing Natal plum cultivar with dense, glossy foliage and fragrant white flowers, forming an attractive evergreen groundcover for warm-climate gardens.

Bloom Time

Spring through fall

Deciduous / Evergreen

Evergreen

Special Features

Drought Tolerant, Fragrant, Heat Tolerant

Growth Rate

Moderate

Growth Habit

Groundcover – trailing

Mature Size

1-2 ft tall × 3-6 ft wide

Flower Color

White

Foliage Color

Dark green

Landscape Use

Border / Bed, Container / Patio, Foundation Planting, Groundcover

Garden Style

Container / Patio, Hedge / Formal

Soil

Alkaline Tolerant, Sandy / Rocky, Well-Drained

Companion Plants

Dwarf bottlebrush, Red yucca, Society garlic, Trailing lantana, Trailing rosemary

Toxic — Pets

Unripe fruit and milky sap toxic if ingested; ripe fruit edible

Care Instructions

Light: Full sun to partial shade; afternoon shade is helpful in Phoenix, especially near heat-reflecting walls or pavement.

Water: Low to moderate water once established. Water deeply, then let the upper soil dry before watering again; irrigate more frequently during extreme summer heat and establishment.

Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates alkaline conditions but struggles in soggy soil or poorly drained clay.

Mature size: Typically 1–2 feet tall and 3–5 feet wide.

Bloom: Primarily spring through fall, with intermittent flowering during warm weather.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen; foliage may be damaged or drop after a hard freeze.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate, depending on irrigation and growing conditions.