Apple
Malus domestica • Rosaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Fruit/Tree
🌍 Origin Region
Central Asia (Tien Shan mountains); widely adapted to temperate regions globally
📅 Days to Maturity
5-10 years from seed to first fruit; seed-grown trees will not be 'true to type' compared to the parent fruit.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Typically USDA Zones 3-9; hardy deciduous perennial.
About This Seed
Small, teardrop-shaped seeds, approximately 5-10mm long, featuring a smooth, dark mahogany-brown to blackish seed coat with a pointed tip. The resulting plant is a deciduous tree with an oval crown, white to pink five-petaled blossoms, and fleshy pome fruit.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Sow in late Fall for natural stratification; start indoors in late Winter after cold treatment
Germination
Requires 60-90 days of cold-moist stratification at 34-40°F (1-4°C). Germinates in 30-60 days once moved to 60-70°F. High light not required for germination.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/2 inch deep in well-draining potting mix or loamy soil. Space young saplings 15-20 feet apart for standard trees. Prefers soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun (6-8+ hours daily). Maintain consistent moisture during first two years; establishes moderate drought tolerance once mature.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Chives, Nasturtium, Garlic, Tansy, and Clover. Avoid: Walnut trees (due to juglone) and Cedar trees (due to cedar-apple rust risk).
Special Characteristics
Pollinator-friendly, fragrant spring blossoms, provides wildlife habitat. Seeds contain small amounts of amygdalin (cyanogenic glycoside) and should not be consumed.