Apple
Malus domestica
Deciduous tree featuring simple, oval-shaped leaves with finely serrated margins, prominent venation, and a pointed apex.
- Light
- Full sun, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day
- Water
- Moderate watering needs, approximately 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation, increasing during dry spells
- Growth
- Perennial deciduous tree with an upright, rounded growth habit, reaching mature heights of 15 to 30 feet depending on the rootstock
Care instructions
Provide full sun exposure with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Use well-draining loamy soil and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun, requiring 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day
Watering
Moderate watering needs, approximately 1 inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation, increasing during dry spells
Soil
Well-draining, fertile loamy soil with a neutral pH range between 6.0 and 7.0
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 3 through 9
Growth habit
Perennial deciduous tree with an upright, rounded growth habit, reaching mature heights of 15 to 30 feet depending on the rootstock
Bloom season
Spring, producing fragrant white to pale pink blossoms with five petals
Propagation
Propagated primarily through grafting or budding onto specific rootstocks, as well as by seed for breeding purposes
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to fungal infections such as apple scab and powdery mildew, along with insect pests like aphids and codling moth; managed through proper spacing, pruning, and approved horticultural treatments
Similar species
Crabapple (Malus species), distinguished by generally smaller fruit and foliage dimensions