Apple
Malus domestica • Rosaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Fruit
🌍 Origin Region
Central Asia, widely cultivated worldwide in temperate regions
📅 Days to Maturity
Grown from seed, trees typically take 3 to 8 years to produce their first fruit, varying significantly depending on rootstock and genetics.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
Thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 9, functioning as a woody perennial tree.
About This Seed
The seeds are tear-drop shaped, flattened, smooth, and glossy with a rich dark brown to reddish-brown seed coat. The resulting tree is a deciduous perennial with a rounded canopy, simple oval leaves, fragrant white-to-pink spring blossoms, and crisp, fleshy pome fruit.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring planting, direct sow or cold stratified, moderate frost tolerance
Germination
Germination takes 14 to 30 days. Optimal soil temperature is 65-70°F. Requires cold stratification (refrigeration for 30-90 days) prior to planting to break dormancy.
Planting Instructions
Plant seeds 1/2 inch deep in well-draining loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Space seeds or seedlings several feet apart if planting permanently, though container starting is common.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun (at least 6-8 hours daily) and moderate, consistent watering. Drought-tolerant once established but performs best with regular moisture.
Companion Plants
Beneficial companions include comfrey, clover, daffodils, and chives, while plants like walnut trees should be avoided due to juglone toxicity.
Special Characteristics
Highly attractive to pollinators during spring bloom, cold-hardy, produces edible and highly nutritious fruit.