Apple
Malus domestica • Rosaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Fruit / Tree
🌍 Origin Region
Central Asia (specifically Kazakhstan), now adapted to temperate regions worldwide.
📅 Days to Maturity
6-10 years from seed to first fruit; harvest window is typically late summer to late autumn depending on cultivar.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-9, depending on specific variety. Most are deciduous perennials requiring chill hours.
About This Seed
The seeds are tear-drop shaped, roughly 5-10mm long, featuring a smooth, dark tan to mahogany brown seed coat. The resulting plant is a deciduous tree with a rounded crown, reaching 10-25 feet, bearing white to pink flowers and edible pomes.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Sow in late autumn or early winter indoors for stratification; transplant in spring. Not frost tolerant as young seedlings.
Germination
Requires 60-90 days of cold stratification (37-40°F) to break dormancy. Germination takes 30-60 days once moved to 60-70°F. Needs light to grow post-emergence.
Planting Instructions
Plant 1/2 inch deep in well-draining loamy soil. Space trees 15-20 feet apart. Prefers a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (6-8 hours daily). Consistent moisture is required for seedlings; established trees are moderately drought-tolerant but need regular deep watering during fruit set.
Companion Plants
Beneficial: Chives, Marigolds, Garlic, and Nasturtiums to deter pests. Avoid: Potatoes and Walnuts (due to juglone).
Special Characteristics
Highly attractive to pollinators like honeybees; seeds contain amygdalin (toxic if consumed in large quantities); great for cross-pollination in orchards.