Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star'

Common Name:
Natal Plum 'Desert Star'

Description:
Carissa macrocarpa 'Desert Star' is a compact, evergreen shrub known for its glossy green foliage, starry white flowers, and tolerance to tough conditions. A dwarf cultivar of the South African native Natal Plum, ‘Desert Star’ forms a neat, rounded mound and is ideal for low hedging or as a structural accent in garden beds and containers. During the warmer months, it produces highly fragrant, jasmine-like white flowers which stand out vividly against the dense, dark green leaves. These are often followed by small, plum-like red fruits that are edible when fully ripe, offering a sweet, tangy flavour. Exceptionally hardy, this variety thrives in full sun and can tolerate coastal conditions, light frost, and periods of dryness once established. In Melbourne gardens, ‘Desert Star’ performs reliably with minimal care, and its compact habit makes it perfect for modern, tropical-inspired, or Mediterranean-style landscapes.

Form:
Shrub - Small
Shrub - Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

Mature Size:
Height: 0.6–1 m
Width: 1–1.2 m

Aspect:
Full Sun
Part Shade

Flowering:
Flowers in Spring
Flowers in Summer
Flowers in Autumn

Flower Colour:
White

Key Attributes:
Suitable for Pots
Scented flowers
Edible Fruit
Bird Attracting
Drought Tolerant
Suitable for Hedging
Coastal Tolerant
Low Maintenance

Toxicity:
Unripe fruit and sap may be mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested — can cause gastrointestinal discomfort. Ripe fruit is edible.

Companion Plants:
Agapanthus 'Snowstorm'
Liriope muscari
Westringia 'Zena'
Hebe 'Inspiration'
Lomandra 'Tanika'

For more information and photos of this species, Warners Nursery has detailed information available to the public here