Nanking cherry

Prunus tomentosa

Fruit shrub
Cold hardy
Poor in heat

Pet & Human Safety

People: No hazard foundPets: Toxic to pets

Human edibility

Edible

Edible parts

ripe fruit

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not yet checked.

Hazard type

Not yet checked.

Hazard route

not applicable

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Toxic to pets at the scope stated in the source line. Keep it away from dogs and cats. Scope of the source: whole-genus (Prunus spp.). ASPCA's genus page says cherry stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanide (pet statement, genus level); no our sources states the same for Nanking cherry people-wise.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Plants that share its name. To tell them apart: Nanking cherry is not the same as Meader bush cherry (Prunus japonica x P. jacquemontii) (Utah State). NC State says its fruit is more closely related to plums than cherries..

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA hardiness zones 2a to 7b (NC State); NDSU: zone 2. NC State: not recommended for sites south of Zone 7.
Mature size: Height 6-10 ft (NC State; Utah State: most 8-12 ft, some to 15 ft); width 6-15 ft. Spacing: NC State: available space to plant 6 feet-12 feet.
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Where it comes from: Caucasus, China, Japan and the Russian Far East (NC State).

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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