How to Grow an Apple Tree from Seeds

You can grow an apple tree from seeds, but remember that the resulting tree may not resemble the apple variety from which you took the seed. For example, if you plant seeds from a Granny Smith apple (the American green apple), the tree may not produce Granny Smith apples. Instead, you could get a different type of apple originating from the Granny Smith variety. There are several factors to consider if you want to increase your chances of success when growing apples from seeds.

Collect two different types of seeds. Apple trees need to be planted in pairs to bear fruit – apple trees do not self-pollinate, so they require another apple variety for cross-pollination. You can use seeds from an apple you’re eating or buy apple seeds from a store. Keep in mind that when you grow apples from seeds, the tree you plant may not necessarily bear fruit or resemble the variety of apple you intended to grow. Try to select or purchase apple seeds that thrive in your local climate, as your tree might not survive outdoors if it’s not suitable.

• If you want to grow apples for their fruit, it’s best to buy a young apple tree from a nursery instead of growing one from seeds.
• When attempting to grow an apple tree from seeds, remember that the tree will not have dwarf characteristics (meaning it could grow to a height of around 9 meters). If you have enough space in your yard for it to grow, that’s great! However, keep in mind that it may take 8 to 10 years for the seed-grown tree to bear fruit, while a grafted tree will bear fruit much sooner.

Dry the seeds. Once you have removed the fruit flesh from the seeds, you should let them dry. This simply means allowing them to air dry until the outer shell is free of moisture.

Wrap the apple seeds in a damp paper towel. Place the paper towel and seeds in a sealed plastic bag, jar, or airtight container – it is essential to keep it sealed.

• You can also use damp sphagnum moss instead of a paper towel if available.

Put the apple seeds in the refrigerator. The seeds need a period of cold exposure known as ‘stratification.’ This simulates the winter conditions necessary for germination. During this time, the apple seeds will develop roots and begin to sprout. They need to be in these conditions for 70 to 80 days, with temperatures maintained between 4.4°C and 10°C, ideally around 4.4°C to 5°C.

• If possible, perform this step in winter so the seeds will align with the season when removed from the fridge. Starting the germination process in early spring after the last frost will yield the best results.

Check regularly to ensure the paper towel remains moist. While the seeds are in the refrigerator, it is crucial to maintain moisture, so you need to check them daily. However, keep in mind that the seeds will not germinate while in the fridge.

Prepare the pot and soil. The apple seeds need to be planted in a ready-made pot. Use a high-quality potting mix. Apple seeds grow best in soil with a neutral pH. Fill the pot with soil and dig a hole that is the same size or twice the size of the seed currently germinating.

• Do not add fertilizer as it is unnecessary. However, you may add a layer of leaf mulch or organic compost if you want the seedlings to grow faster.

Place the seed in the hole. Place the seed in the hole and cover it with soil, gently pressing down to compact the soil. Water immediately so the soil surrounds the seed and retains moisture.

Keep the pot at normal room temperature. When planting in a pot, the seed and soil should be kept at a typical room temperature or slightly warmer. The seed must also receive several hours of sunlight each day, so placing the pot on a sunny windowsill is a great idea.

Monitor the seedling as it grows. Several weeks after planting, the apple seed will start to sprout, and small leaves will appear. It will then grow taller and stronger. Keep the plant in the pot until it looks healthy, and the outside temperature is no longer prone to frost. If the seedling grows too large for the pot, transfer it to a larger pot and continue watering it daily.

Choose a planting site. When deciding on a planting location, several factors need to be considered, such as sunlight, soil, and space.

• Sunlight: Apple trees need full sunlight, meaning they require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot will depend on your home’s orientation. East-facing areas are typically good, but north-facing is also fine. Evaluate your options before planting.
• Soil: Apple trees do not thrive in wet soil. The soil should retain moisture but also drain well. It should be fertile and have a neutral pH.
• Space: Since you’re planting from seeds, your apple tree will grow to its full size, potentially reaching 6-9 meters tall. Ensure there is enough room for the tree's root system to expand. Plan to plant at least 9 meters apart from other trees, especially if you’re planting two apple trees in the same row.

Know when to move the tree outdoors. Once your seedling has grown enough that it’s no longer at risk of being accidentally stepped on or confused with weeds, it’s time to move it outside, taking care not to damage the roots. The best time for this depends on your region—fall can be a good time if you're in zone 8 or warmer climates. If you're outside zone 8, plant in spring after the risk of frost has passed.

Remove weeds within a 1.2-meter radius around the planting site. Dig a hole that is twice the size of the seedling's root ball. The hole should be about 0.6 meters deep. After digging, loosen the soil around the hole – this will help the roots penetrate the soil more easily.

Transfer the seedling outdoors. Carefully untangle any compacted or tangled roots. Begin by adding soil around the roots. Once the roots are covered, gently press the soil down to eliminate any air pockets around the roots. Fill the remaining space in the hole with loose, well-aerated soil.

• It’s important not to add fertilizer or uncomposted manure around the tree, as this can burn the young roots.

Water the tree thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. After watering the tree, apply a mulch layer to help retain moisture. Dry grass, straw, or organic bark chips make excellent mulch for apple trees. The mulch should spread in a circle with a radius of 0.9 meters around the tree. This will help maintain moisture and prevent weeds from competing with the young tree’s roots for water and nutrients.

Water the tree. When your tree is small (about 15-20 cm), it needs to be watered every 10-12 days. However, you can reduce watering as the tree matures, just maintain moisture (but not overly wet). Watering can be reduced as the tree grows, but during summer, it's best to water it weekly or biweekly.

• In other seasons, you can let nature take care of it, unless you live in an extremely dry area. In such cases, keep in mind that during the first year, watering 2.5 - 5 cm per week is ideal. Ensure deep watering, not just sprinkling on the tree.

Eliminate pests. If deer are present in your area, it's important to protect your young tree. Deer enjoy munching on apple tree shoots and sometimes even damage the tree trunk. To protect your tree while it grows, you can use a tall wire mesh to enclose it, securing it with stakes and wrapping it around the tree. Keep an eye on it as the tree grows to prevent branches from getting tangled in the fence.

• In low-pressure areas, using store-bought or homemade pesticide sprays can be effective.
• If deer are not in your area, still protect the base of the tree from mice and rabbits with a fence.
• Eliminate insects. You might need to fight off pests that harm apple trees. Insecticide sprays from nurseries or garden stores can help with this.
• Fight apple maggots. These pests are some of the most common nuisances to apple trees. Hang a few red balls about the size of a baseball on tree branches in June. Coat the balls with sticky substances like Tangle Trap, available at nurseries or garden stores.

Fertilize once the tree is older. Your apple tree needs to be fertilized annually each spring. Apply fertilizer after the last snow melts (if you live in an area with snow), but before the tree starts budding. Use a nitrogen and oxide fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10). Apply it under the tree canopy, at a rate of 230 grams for every 5 cm of trunk diameter.

• Always check the soil before fertilizing. Depending on the soil test results, you might need slow-release organic fertilizers. Too much nitrogen can result in abundant foliage and limited fruit production.
• Don’t use fertilizers that double as weed killers – such mixed products can harm your apple tree.

Pruning young trees. In the first year, avoid heavy pruning to prevent delaying fruiting. Focus on removing dead or diseased branches. Your apple tree needs to grow properly before fruiting – this allows the tree to regenerate, so let it grow before harvesting.

• Remove any shoots growing in the wrong places before they can develop into branches that you’ll later need to prune.
• You’ll also need to prune to create a “leader branch.” If two branches are growing upright, trim the smaller or less attractive branch so the tree can focus nutrients on the main leader branch.

"Training" the tree. This might sound strange, but you need to train the branches of the tree to ensure it produces maximum fruit. Any branch that forms an angle of 35 degrees or less with the trunk should be bent to a more suitable angle (greater than 35 degrees). Gently pull the branch down so that it’s almost parallel to the ground, and tie it to stakes in the ground or to lower branches. Keep it tied for several weeks.

Thinning excess fruit. Having too many fruits on the tree isn’t always a good thing – the excess fruit can weigh down the branches and reduce the quality of the fruit. You should thin out the fruit so that each cluster only has one or two fruits, with at least 15-20 cm of space between them.

Pruning mature trees annually. Once your tree starts bearing fruit and growing, you’ll need to prune it every year. Do this during the tree’s dormant period. Cut back the branches that grow vertically (usually at the top of the tallest branches). You should also prune away dead, diseased, or broken branches, as well as branches growing inward or interlacing with each other.

• Cut back any low-growing branches – in general, apple tree branches should be at least 45 cm above the ground.
• You should also prune away weak shoots, typically found underneath the branches.

• Apple trees grown from seeds may not always be identical to their parent trees – in reality, each seed from an apple will grow into a distinct tree. Breeding programs require the planting of thousands of trees to identify one or two potential new commercial varieties.

• Apple seeds from two distinct apple varieties
• Potting soil
• Plant pot
• Plenty of sunlight
• Water
• Paper towel
• Sufficient space for planting
• Mulch