Description
Quince is an old-world deciduous fruit tree with spring blossoms, downy leaves, and golden aromatic fruit that perfumes the garden in late fall. Cydonia oblonga has long been grown for preserves, poached desserts, and membrillo, bringing medieval orchard character to food forests and heirloom fruit plantings.
Why Grow It
- Cydonia oblonga fruit tree with pale pink spring flowers and golden aromatic fall fruit.
- Compact 10-15 ft habit, smaller with pruning, suitable for food forests and heirloom orchards.
- Fruit is traditionally cooked into preserves, poached desserts, and membrillo paste.
- Seeds require 90 days of cold stratification before spring sowing.
- Best in full sun and moist but well-drained loam; zones 4-9 with extra winter protection in colder zone 4 sites.
Growing Information
| Botanical name | Cydonia oblonga |
|---|---|
| Life cycle | Deciduous fruit tree |
| Mature height | 10-15 ft.; smaller with pruning |
| Light | Full sun |
| Bloom or harvest window | Pale pink spring blossoms; golden aromatic fruit ripens in late fall |
| Seed count | 10 seeds |
| Fruit color | Pale pink spring flowers and golden yellow aromatic quince fruit |
| Sowing advice | Cold stratify seed for 90 days before spring sowing, or sow outdoors in fall for natural winter stratification. Use a moist paper towel in a sealed bag in the refrigerator if artificial stratification is needed. |
| Spacing | Grow seedlings in deep pots first, then transplant with orchard spacing and room for a 10-15 ft tree |
| Germination | Requires about 90 days of cold to break dormancy; spring emergence follows fall sowing or refrigerated stratification |
Best For
- food forest planting
- heirloom orchards
- fragrant fruit gardens
- preserves and membrillo
- poached desserts
- medieval garden collections
Packet Details
Includes 10 seeds. Store seeds cool, dry, and dark until stratification. In hot zone 9 summers, site young trees carefully and keep roots evenly moist while establishing.
FAQ
Do quince seeds need cold stratification?
Yes. Quince seeds require about 90 days of cold to break dormancy. Fall sowing can provide natural stratification, or you can refrigerate moist seed before spring sowing.
Can quince fruit be eaten raw?
Some quinces are too tart or firm for raw eating, but they transform when cooked into fragrant preserves, poached desserts, or membrillo paste.
How large does a quince tree get?
Expect roughly 10-15 ft. in suitable conditions, with size managed lower through pruning and training.
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