Last Updated on March 16, 2025 by April
Growing apple trees from seeds can be an enjoyable and educational project, especially if you’re looking for a fun activity to share with children. While you might be tempted to plant seeds from that delicious apple you just enjoyed, it’s important to understand what you’re getting into.
When you plant apple seeds, you’re embarking on a gardening adventure with unpredictable results. The apples that grow on your seed-grown tree will likely be different from the parent fruit. This happens because apple varieties don’t grow “true to type” from seeds—a Pink Lady seed won’t give you Pink Lady apples.
Commercial apple varieties exist because of careful selection and grafting techniques. Growers identify trees with desirable traits through a lengthy process of testing thousands of specimens. When they find something special, they don’t plant more seeds—they clone the tree through grafting.
Grafting involves joining a branch or bud from the desired variety onto another tree’s rootstock. This ensures consistency in orchards and allows growers to control tree size. Your seed-grown tree will typically be larger than commercially grafted trees.
Want to try growing an apple tree from seeds anyway? Here’s how:
- Extract seeds from your favorite apple
- Clean them thoroughly, removing any fruit residue
- Place seeds in small pots with potting mix
- Cover pots with plastic to retain moisture
- Store in a cool place (refrigerator works well) for 60-90 days
- Move pots to a warm, well-lit spot after chilling period
- Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Transplant outdoors after danger of frost passes
Chilling Period
The chilling period (called stratification) is essential as it mimics winter conditions that apple seeds would naturally experience before germinating in spring. For best results, start this process in late fall or early winter.
Planting Outside
Your seedlings will need full sun exposure when planted outdoors. Remember to plant at least two trees for proper pollination when they mature. Keep your young trees well-watered and apply balanced fertilizer according to package directions.
How Long Until I Get Fruit?
Patience is key with this project. Your seed-grown apple tree may take up to 8 years before producing its first fruit. While waiting, you’ll enjoy watching your seedling develop into a sapling and eventually a full-sized tree.
What to Expect
The odds of creating an amazing new apple variety are slim, but not impossible. Every commercial apple variety started somewhere! The journey of nurturing a tree from seed to fruit-bearing maturity can be rewarding regardless of the harvest quality.
Can I Grow Other Fruit Trees?
You can apply similar techniques to grow other fruit trees from seed, including cherries, peaches, and Meyer lemons. These projects share the same constraints—uncertain fruit quality and long waits for maturity.
Faster Routes to a Fruit-Bearing Tree
If your primary goal is harvesting quality fruit within a reasonable timeframe, purchasing young trees of known varieties from a reputable nursery remains your best option. But if you value the process and are willing to embrace uncertainty, planting those apple seeds might be worth it after all.
