Can you grow an apricot from a store-bought pit? Yes. You can grow apricot tree from pit if you chill it first: Penn State Extension lists 60 to 70 days of moist cold near 45°F (7°C) for apricot seed. The seedling will not match the parent and needs years to bear. Crack the shell to speed sprouting.
Key takeaway: To grow apricot tree from pit, you need a ripe apricot, a fridge and some patience. Penn State Extension explains that tree fruit seeds need a chilling period before they will sprout, and seedlings are hybrids that differ from the parent. This guide covers cleaning, cold stratification, planting depth, care and how long a seedling takes to fruit.
| Step or Fact | Apricot From a Pit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| True to type? | No; seedlings are hybrids | Penn State Extension |
| Chill temperature | 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C), best near 45°F (7°C) | Penn State Extension |
| Chill time | 60 to 70 days | Penn State Extension |
| Shell removed (study) | 12 to 18 days at 41°F (5°C) reached top germination | Horticulture International Journal |
| Planting depth | About 2 in (5 cm) for Prunus pits | Iowa State Extension |
| Years to bear (nursery tree) | 3 to 5 years | NMSU Extension H-308 |
| Pollination | Leading varieties are self-fruitful | NMSU Extension H-308 |
Can You Grow an Apricot From a Store-Bought Pit?
Yes, if the pit came from a ripe fruit. Penn State Extension says seeds of tree fruits are hybrids of two parents, so your tree will differ from the apricot you ate, sometimes for the worse. Still, many people grow apricot tree from pit for fun, as a rootstock, or to test a new seedling (our guidance).
- Clean pits: remove all flesh and let them air-dry.
- Variety: results vary; pits from locally grown, cold-hardy apricots may suit your climate better (our guidance).
- Rootstock: Penn State notes you can grow your own seedling rootstock and graft onto it.
- Fridge tip: keep seeds away from ripening fruit, which gives off ethylene, per Penn State.
How Do You Germinate an Apricot Pit, and How Long Does It Take?
To grow apricot tree from pit, chill it moist and cold. Penn State lists apricot seed as needing 60 to 70 days at 40 to 50°F (4 to 10°C), with 45°F (7°C) best. A Horticulture International Journal study found apricot seeds with the hard shell removed reached top germination after only 12 to 18 days at 41°F (5°C), then sprouted within about two weeks at 77°F (25°C).
- Clean the pit and air-dry it for a few days.
- Optional: crack the shell gently with a nutcracker and remove the kernel (our guidance).
- Mix the pit or kernel with damp peat or paper towel in a sealed bag.
- Refrigerate 60 to 70 days for whole pits, checking for mold (our guidance).
- Plant sprouted seeds about 2 in (5 cm) deep, per Iowa State for Prunus.
For more on chilling, see cold stratification and seed scarification.
Will an Apricot Grown From a Pit Ever Fruit?
Usually, but not quickly, when you grow apricot tree from pit. NMSU Extension says apricot trees bear 3 to 5 years after planting a nursery tree; a seedling often takes at least 4 to 6 years (our guidance). NMSU adds that leading apricot varieties are self-fruitful, so one tree can set fruit, but apricots bloom early and late frosts often kill the blossoms.
- Frost risk: NMSU warns apricots are risky fruit crops where spring frosts are common.
- Fruit quality: may be smaller or less sweet than the parent.
- Faster fruit: graft a known variety onto your seedling.
- Light: full sun outdoors; indoors use bright light (our guidance).
So grow apricot tree from pit with patience, and plan for frost protection in spring.
How Do You Care for an Apricot Seedling?
Once you grow apricot tree from pit to a sprout, pot each one in a deep container of free-draining mix and keep it in bright light. Move it outdoors after the last frost and harden it off gradually (our guidance). Penn State suggests planting stratified seeds outside after severe spring frosts pass. Apricots are temperate trees that need winter chilling, so they do poorly as permanent houseplants (our guidance).
- Pot size: start in a 1 gal (3.8 L) pot, then size up (our guidance).
- Water: keep evenly moist, never soggy.
- Feeding: Penn State bands a little urea along nursery rows once seedlings reach 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm).
- Containers: see hydroponic dwarf fruit trees for potted options.
Can You Sprout an Apricot Pit in Water or Hydroponics?
To grow apricot tree from pit without soil at first, sprout the kernel on damp paper towel or in peat pellets, then move it to a pot (our guidance). A full-size apricot tree is not practical in home hydroponics, but a young seedling can live in soilless mix for a season. Similar steps work if you grow plum or peach trees; see grow plum tree from pit.
- Germination: see hydroponic germination methods.
- Mold: rinse kernels and change damp towels weekly (our guidance).
- Bonsai: apricot can be trained small; see hydroponic bonsai.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Growing Apricot From a Pit?
Most failures come from skipping the chill, letting pits mold, or planting too deep. Penn State notes seeds need after-ripening and proper storage temperature before sowing. Sow several pits, label them, and expect some to fail (our guidance). If you grow apricot tree from pit in a warm region, choose pits from low-chill varieties when you can (our guidance).
- No chill: pits may sit dormant for months.
- Too wet: damp, not soaking, media prevents rot.
FAQ About How to Grow Apricot Tree From Pit
How long does it take to grow apricot tree from pit to fruit?
Often 4 to 6 years or more from seed.
Do apricot pits need cold stratification?
Yes; about 60 to 70 days near 45°F (7°C).
Should I crack the shell to grow apricot tree from pit faster?
Yes; removing the shell can speed germination.
Will my apricot seedling match the parent?
No; seedlings are hybrids.
Does an apricot need a second tree?
Leading varieties are self-fruitful, per NMSU.
How deep should I plant an apricot pit?
About 2 in (5 cm) deep.
Sources
- Penn State Extension — Growing Fruit Plants from Seed
- Horticulture International Journal — Impact of Seed Cold Stratification on Apricot Germination and Seedling Growth
- Iowa State University Extension — Germination of Tree Seed
- New Mexico State University — Why Fruit Trees Fail to Bear (H-308)
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Prunus armeniaca dry and imbibed seed by Gmihail at Serbian Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0 rs); Apricot Prunus armeniaca seedling at Akola by Yogdes (CC BY-SA 4.0)