Can you grow a cherry tree from a pit? Yes. To grow a cherry tree from a pit, clean pits from ripe fruit, chill them in moist vermiculite or peat at 33–41°F (1–5°C), then plant when they crack or root; sour cherry needs 90 to 150 days. The tree will not match its parent’s fruit, so treat it as an experiment.
Key takeaway: You can grow a cherry tree from a pit, but expect a long, variable result. Oklahoma State Extension says cherries do not grow true from seed and need budding or grafting for a named cultivar. Cherry seed is dormant and needs cold stratification; Iowa State lists 90 to 150 days at 33 to 41°F (1 to 5°C) for sour cherry.
| Step | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pit source | Fully mature fruit | Iowa State Extension |
| Cold treatment | 33–41°F (1–5°C) in moist medium | Iowa State; Oklahoma State |
| Sour cherry chill | 90–150 days | Iowa State; Oklahoma State |
| Other cherries | Some finish in about 4 weeks | Oklahoma State |
| Medium | Moist (not wet) vermiculite, peat or sand | Oklahoma State |
| Planting depth | About 1/2 in (1.3 cm) for sour cherry | Iowa State |
| True to type? | No; graft for a known variety | Oklahoma State |
Can You Grow a Cherry From a Store-Bought Pit?
You can try, but results vary. Oklahoma State Extension says cherries will not reproduce true to seed, so the tree will differ from the parent in size, flavor or hardiness. An Ask Extension answer adds that a seed-grown tree adds several years before fruiting compared with a potted nursery tree.
- Use fresh, ripe fruit: Iowa State says to harvest fruit when fully mature.
- Local trees beat imports: a pit from a variety suited to your climate is a better bet (our view).
- Plant extras: not every pit will sprout.
The same chill-and-sprout idea applies to apples; see grow an apple tree from seed.
How Do You Germinate a Cherry Pit, and How Long Does It Take?
To start a cherry tree from a pit, cold-stratify, then plant. Oklahoma State says to mix seed with moist, not wet, vermiculite, peat or sand in a sealed bag and hold it cold. Iowa State lists 33 to 41°F (1 to 5°C), with sour cherry needing 90 to 150 days. A pit typically sprouts within a few weeks once moved to warmth (our experience).
- Wash all fruit off the pits.
- Mix pits with slightly damp vermiculite in a labeled bag.
- Refrigerate at 33–41°F (1–5°C), not the freezer.
- Check weekly for mold, dryness and cracking or roots.
- Plant sprouted pits about 1/2 in (1.3 cm) deep.
Oklahoma State warns that cherry seed can sprout in the cold, so watch closely near the end. See our full cold stratification guide.
How Do You Care for a Cherry Seedling?
Treat a cherry tree from a pit like any young fruit tree. Move the sprouted pit into seed starting mix, give it bright light, and keep the soil moist but not wet. Harden it off before moving it outdoors. Most cherries are temperate trees that need winter cold, so grow them outside after the first season (our guidance).
- Light: a sunny window or grow lights for seedlings.
- Transition: see hardening off seedlings.
- Pot up: before roots circle.
Will a Cherry Tree Grown From a Pit Ever Fruit?
A cherry tree from a pit may fruit, but the fruit is unpredictable. Oklahoma State says seed-grown fruit trees are mainly useful as rootstocks and that budding or grafting is how growers get a desired cultivar. The Ask Extension expert noted that a grafted ‘North Star’ tree fruits in 2 or 3 years, while a seedling adds years.
- Want known fruit? Graft a named variety onto your seedling.
- Pollination: many sweet cherries need a second compatible variety; check before buying.
- Patience: a cherry tree from a pit is a long-term project.
Which Cherry Pits Work Best?
Pits from fully ripe, locally grown fruit are the best bet. Iowa State groups cherries with peaches and plums and says most cultivated types will not reproduce the parent fruit. Oklahoma State notes that seedlings are most useful as rootstocks. Sour cherries have published chill times, so they are the most predictable choice.
- Sour (tart) cherry: 90–150 days of chill per Iowa State and Oklahoma State.
- Sweet cherry: chill needs vary by type; check pits weekly.
Can You Plant Cherry Pits Outside Instead?
Yes, fall sowing lets winter do the chilling. Iowa State says cherry seed may be sown in the fall or stratified and planted in spring. Oklahoma State says fall planting works if seeds stay moist, are protected from rodents, and winter stays cold long enough. Mark the spot, since sprouts appear the next spring.
- Depth: about 1/2 in (1.3 cm) for sour cherry.
- Protection: cover with hardware cloth against squirrels and mice.
- Expect losses: plant several pits.
Starting a cherry tree from a pit outdoors avoids fridge space but gives you less control over timing.
FAQ About How to Grow a Cherry Tree From a Pit
Do cherry pits need cold to sprout?
Yes; the seed is dormant until chilled.
How long should I refrigerate cherry pits?
Sour cherry: 90–150 days at 33–41°F (1–5°C).
Can I plant pits outside in fall?
Iowa State says fall sowing works as natural chilling.
Will the tree make the same cherries?
No; cherries do not grow true from seed.
Should I crack the pit?
It is not required; chilling is the key step.
Can I grow a cherry tree indoors?
Short term only; most need winter cold.
Sources
- Iowa State University Extension — Germination of Tree Seed
- Oklahoma State University Extension — Propagation of Fruit and Nuts by Seed
- Ask Extension — Growing cherry tree from a pit
- Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons, edited with titles): Cherry-pits hg by Hannes Grobe (talk) (CC BY 3.0); 2025-05-05 17 08 45 Black Cherry seedling along Aquetong Lane in the Mountainview section of Ewing Township, Mercer County, New Jersey by Famartin (CC BY-SA 4.0)