How do you grow an apple tree from seed? Here is how to grow apple tree from seed: soak seeds for 24 hours, then chill them moist at 34 to 41°F (1 to 5°C) for 60 to 120 days until a root shows. Pot them up in bright light. The tree will not match the parent apple and may take 4 to 6 years to fruit.
Key takeaway: How to grow apple tree from seed: apple seeds need cold, moist stratification first. USDA ARS chills seeds at 34–39°F (1–4°C) for at least 60 days, with roots emerging after 60 to 120 days. Iowa State suggests 90 to 120 days at 37–41°F (3–5°C). The seedling grows easily, but it will not be true to the parent variety, and UC Master Gardeners say fruit takes 4 to 6 years.
| Step | What sources report | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Soak | 24 hours in tap water | USDA ARS |
| Chill temperature | 34–39°F (1–4°C); 37–41°F (3–5°C); 34–40°F (1–4°C) | USDA ARS; Iowa State; Oklahoma State |
| Chill time | At least 60 days; roots after 60–120 days | USDA ARS |
| Alternate time | 90–120 days | Iowa State Extension |
| Planting depth | 1/2 in (1.3 cm), or 1.2–1.6 in (3–4 cm) in 4-in pots | Iowa State; USDA ARS |
| True to type? | No; seedlings differ from the parent | Iowa State, Oklahoma State |
| Years to fruit | About 4–6 years from seed | UC Master Gardeners |
Can You Grow an Apple From a Store-Bought Seed?
Yes, and how to grow apple tree from seed starts with the fruit you buy. Seeds from a store-bought apple usually germinate if they are plump and dark. The catch is the result. Iowa State Extension explains that a seed from a Red Delicious apple will not grow a Red Delicious tree, because apples are cross-pollinated and each seed is a new mix of genes. Most apple trees are grafted for that reason.
Oklahoma State notes that apple seedlings are used mainly as rootstocks, which are then budded or grafted to a known variety. So learning how to grow apple tree from seed is a fun project, but if you want a specific apple, plan to graft it later.
- Best seeds: full, brown seeds from ripe apples.
- Skip: pale, flat or damaged seeds.
- Start more than you need: not every seed sprouts.
How Do You Germinate an Apple Seed, and How Long Does It Take?
The key step in how to grow apple tree from seed is the chill. Apple seeds need a cold, moist rest called cold stratification. USDA ARS soaks seed for 24 hours, then holds it on wet paper in the dark at 34 to 39°F (1 to 4°C) for at least 60 days. The root tip, or radicle, usually appears after 60 to 120 days. Iowa State suggests 90 to 120 days at 37 to 41°F (3 to 5°C).
- Rinse seeds and soak them in tap water for 24 hours.
- Place them on damp (not dripping) paper towel or in moist sand.
- Seal in a container with a few air holes and label it.
- Refrigerate at about 34–41°F (1–5°C).
- Check weekly; rewet and remove moldy seeds.
- When a few root tips show, move them to room temperature.
Penn State warns not to store seeds near ethylene-producing fruit such as apples or bananas in the same fridge.
How Do You Plant an Apple Seedling in a Pot?
In how to grow apple tree from seed, timing matters here. Plant sprouted seeds soon after the root appears. USDA ARS fills 4-inch pots with pre-moistened potting soil and sets each sprouted seed about 1.2 to 1.6 inches (3 to 4 cm) deep, taking care not to damage the root tip. Iowa State plants seeds 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) deep in potting mix. Either way, keep the mix moist but not soggy.
- Pre-wet a quality potting mix.
- Plant 1 sprouted seed per 4-inch (10 cm) pot.
- Water gently to settle the mix.
- Give bright light; a seedling grow light works indoors.
- Move up to a larger pot as roots fill the first one.
How to Grow Apple Tree From Seed Outdoors: When Should the Seedling Move Out?
The last stage of how to grow apple tree from seed is the move outside. Harden the seedling off after your last spring frost. Iowa State says seedlings can go to a permanent spot when they are 12 to 30 inches (30 to 76 cm) tall. Choose full sun and well-drained soil. Iowa State also notes you can skip the fridge entirely by planting seeds outdoors in fall, protected from rodents and rabbits.
- Harden off: 7 to 10 days of gradually longer outdoor time.
- Spacing: seedlings grow into full-size trees; leave room.
- Protection: fence young trees from rabbits and deer.
Will an Apple Grown From Seed Ever Fruit?
Usually, but slowly, which is the honest catch in how to grow apple tree from seed. UC Master Gardeners say an apple planted from seed can take 4 to 6 years to fruit, and you probably will not like the apples. Grafting a shoot or bud from a tree you like onto the seedling gives known fruit much sooner. Apples also need a compatible pollinator tree nearby to set fruit.
- Want known fruit: graft a named variety onto your seedling.
- Want a smaller tree: buy a variety on a dwarfing rootstock; see dwarf fruit trees.
- Want a project: grow it and see what you get.
Peach pits need a similar chill; see seed germination temperature for warm-start crops, and for tropical seeds without a chill, see mango from seed.
FAQ About How to Grow Apple Tree From Seed
Do apple seeds need to be refrigerated?
Yes; they need 60–120 days of cold, moist stratification.
What temperature should the fridge be?
About 34–41°F (1–5°C).
How deep should I plant apple seeds?
1/2 inch (1.3 cm), per Iowa State; USDA ARS uses 1.2–1.6 inches (3–4.1 cm).
Will the apple taste like the parent?
No; seedlings are not true to type.
How long until an apple seedling fruits?
About 4–6 years.
Can I skip the fridge in how to grow apple tree from seed?
Yes; plant seeds outside in fall, protected from rodents.
Sources
- USDA Agricultural Research Service — Apple Seed Germination
- Iowa State University Extension — Can I grow an apple tree from a seed?
- Oklahoma State University Extension — Propagation of Fruit and Nuts by Seed
- Penn State Extension — Growing Fruit Plants from Seed
- UC Master Gardeners — Apple Trees and Their Care
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Apple seedling idared HDR by Tazztone (Public domain); Apple seeds 20180928 by Santeri Viinamäki (CC BY-SA 4.0)