Do Plums Need to be Refrigerated? Get More Out of Your Fruit Today
Do plums need to be refrigerated? The short answer is, if you’re not planning on devouring your plums in the next few days, your best move is to keep them in the refrigerator. But there are right ways and wrong ways for storing your plums – and we’ll explore everything you need to know in this helpful guide.

In this guide, we will be exploring:
- The best environment for extending the freshness of plums, including temperature, humidity, and the best spots in your refrigerator.
- Methods for effectively ripening plums at room temperature and maintaining their delicious taste once they’re ripe.
- The most efficient ways to freeze plums for long-term storage, ensuring you can savor this nutritious fruit all year round.
Proper Plum Storage – to Refrigerate or Not?
When you first get your hands on some plums, resist the urge to wash them immediately. Washing can make them spoil faster. Just keep them dry until you’re ready to munch.
If your plums are on the hard side and could use some ripening, leave them out at room temperature. You can put them in a paper bag or on the kitchen counter, but keep them away from sunlight. This way, they’ll get sweeter as they ripen.

Or, if you’re in a rush and want to eat unripened plums now, check out our guide on ripening plums in a microwave.
Once your plums have that perfect give when you squeeze them lightly, it’s time to move them to the fridge.
The crisper drawer is a great spot for them, and they should stay good for about a week.
Be mindful about what’s near them. Plums can pick up strong smells easily.
But what if you want to save some plums for later? No problem! You can freeze them.
We’ll detail a step-by-step for freezing plums in the next section.
How Does Temperature and Humidity Affect Plums
Ideal Temperature
Let’s talk about how to keep your plums tasty and fresh! You know how some things like it chilly? Well, plums are the same. They like it cold, around 31-32°F, just a bit above freezing. This cool environment helps them stay fresh longer.
But what if your plums are not ripe yet? No worries! Just leave them out at room temperature, like on your kitchen counter. They enjoy a warmer climate, around 68°F, to ripen up nicely.
Once they’re ripe, you’ll want to move them into the fridge. This switch will help them stay ripe and delicious for about five days. Remember not to put them in the freezer because it’s too cold there and can spoil their soft texture. Enjoy your plums!
Ideal Humidity
Think of plums like tiny sponges – they love water. So, to keep them fresh and juicy, we need a lot of moisture, around 90-95%. That’s like a misty morning in the forest!
Now, how do we make our fridge a mini forest? Simple. Some fridges come with special drawers that let you control the humidity. If your fridge has one, that’s your best bet.
If not, no worries! You can make your own mini forest by wrapping your plums in a damp paper towel before storing them. They’ll feel right at home.
Remember, plums are all about balance – they need coolness from temperature and moisture from humidity. Keep these two in check, and your plums will stay as tasty as the day you bought them!

How Long Do Plums Last in the Fridge
When we store plums in the fridge, they can last much longer than at room temperature.
As a general rule of thumb, plums can last 1 to 2 weeks in the fridge.
Keeping them in the crisper drawer is essential, where the temperature and humidity are more controlled. This helps to maintain their freshness and prevent them from becoming overripe.
Now, let’s talk about how to store plums properly in the fridge:
- First, don’t wash the plums before storing them. Washing adds moisture, which could lead to mold growth.
- Place the plums in a breathable bag, like a paper bag, or leave them loose in your crisper drawer.
- Keep them away from other fruits that produce ethylene gas, like apples, as this can cause the plums to ripen too quickly.

If you’re wondering if freezing is a good idea, it absolutely is! Freezing plums can extend their life even further. To freeze plums:
This is how to prepare plums for the freezer:
- Wash and dry them thoroughly.
- Cut plums into halves or quarters, and remove the pit.
- Place the plum pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in a single layer and freeze them for a few hours.
- Once frozen, transfer the plum pieces to a sealable plastic bag or an airtight container and put them back in the freezer.
Frozen plums can last up to a year when stored properly. They’re perfect for smoothies, baking, or a cold, refreshing snack.
Proper storage is essential for maintaining your plums’ taste, texture, and nutritional quality. So, take good care of them; they’ll stay delicious longer!
Do’s and Don’ts of Refrigerating Plums
This section will review the best practices when placing your plums in the fridge. As well as the equally essential mishaps or errors that you should avoid.
What You Should DO When Refrigerating Plums
Store plums in the crisper drawer, as it has the ideal humidity level for preserving plums (and other fresh produce).
If you want them to last even longer, consider removing and freezing the pits, as detailed earlier.
Tips for refrigerating plums:
- Place ripe plums in a plastic or reusable produce bag.
- Store them in the crisper drawer, away from other fruits that emit ethylene gas.
- To freeze plums, remove the pits and store them in airtight containers or freezer bags
Mistakes to AVOID When Refrigerating Plums
Refrigeration can help keep plums fresh, but it’s important to avoid the following mistakes:
- Don’t store unripe plums in the fridge, hindering their ripening process.
- Don’t wash plums before putting them in the refrigerator; moisture can lead to faster spoilage.
- Don’t overcrowd the crisper drawer, as this can reduce air circulation and cause the plums to spoil more quickly.
Freezing Plums for Longer Storage
When it comes to preserving plums for a longer duration, freezing is an excellent option. In this section, we’ll discuss how to prepare plums for freezing and how to thaw them properly when you’re ready to use them.
Preparing Plums for Freezing
Before we start freezing plums, we need to prepare them. Follow these simple steps to get your plums ready for the freezer:
- Wash: Clean the plums under cold running water to remove dirt or debris.
- Dry: Pat the plums with a clean or paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Halve and Pit: Cut the plums in half and remove the pit. You can also leave them whole if you prefer, but removing the pit makes it easier for future use.
- Pre-freeze (optional): Place the plums on a tray, cut side up, in a single layer. Put the tray in the freezer for a few hours, allowing the plums to freeze partially. This step prevents them from sticking together once packaged for storage.
- Package: Transfer the plums (pre-frozen or directly after step 3) to a freezer-safe container or plastic bag, leaving enough room for expansion during freezing. Seal tightly to prevent air from entering.
Now, your plums are ready to be stored in the freezer for up to a year!
Thawing Frozen Plums
When it’s time to enjoy your frozen plums, here’s the best way to thaw them:
- Refrigerator: Place the container or bag of frozen plums in the refrigerator and let them thaw for several hours or overnight. This method helps retain the plums’ texture and flavor.
- Cold Water: If you need to thaw plums more quickly, submerge the sealed container or bag until they’re soft enough to use.
Remember not to use a microwave or hot water to thaw plums, which could lead to uneven thawing and compromise the texture.
Following these steps, we can effortlessly freeze plums for more extended storage while preserving their taste and quality.
How to Ripen Plums the Right Way…
Did you know there is a right and wrong way to ripen plums?
You can have a tasteless, unsatisfying fruit if you need help understanding the ripening process. But if you do it correctly, it unlocks a plum’s full flavor potential. That exquisite blend of sweet, tart, and juicy you love?
It’s all thanks to the ripening method!
Not only that but ripe plums are packed with health-boosting antioxidants and vitamins. They’re not just delicious; they’re good for your health, too!
But what if you don’t have the time to wait for natural ripening? What if you need your plums ripe and ready pronto?
Don’t worry; we’ve got a tip for you. There’s actually a quick and surprisingly effective method that can come to your rescue.
Curious?
We thought you might be!
Check out this Plum Ripening Guide to learn a fantastic technique using your microwave.
Trust us, it’s a culinary revelation you want to take advantage of!
