How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Quince Trees

Quince has a long, several-thousand year old history of cultivation in the Middle East and western edge of the Mediterranean. The “golden apples” alluded to in Greek mythology likely refers to quince fruits. The fruits have a citrusy, yet slightly astringent flavor. It is particularly pronounced when they don’t ripen fully on the tree. Accordingly, this fruit is rarely eaten raw in regions with short growing seasons. However, the globes have a mellow, sweeter taste when cooked, making them popular in roasted, poached, and baked dishes.

Flavor aside, quince fruits are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and a host of other minerals. They are high in antioxidants and possess anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Quince is chock full of pectin, which once made it sought-after for jams and jellies in the United States. However, once pectin powder became available, this fruit tree was shuffled aside and largely forgotten here.

What Is It?

Not to be confused with flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa), quince trees (Cydonia oblonga) are small deciduous trees known for their golden yellow, highly aromatic fruits. Along with apples and pears, quince trees are pomes belonging to the Rosaceae family. Pome fruits have a central core of small seeds surrounded by woody tissue and an outer layer of edible flesh.

Characteristics

Standing on average, 12-15 feet tall, these are small, multi-stemmed trees. They have wide, oval-shaped pale green leaves that have fuzzy undersides. Quince trees typically bloom slightly later than other similar pome fruits. Solitary ivory or blush pink flowers emerge in late spring, blooming on new wood.

While their flowers are lovely, they are really known for their aromatic fruits. With a sweet, clean, and honey-like fragrance, quince fruits are beloved by culinary enthusiasts and food lovers. The fruits measure 3-5 inches in diameter, and resemble lumpy pears in their general shape and appearance. Pale, yellow-green skin deepens to golden yellow when fruits are ripe.

Native Area

Quince are native to the lush woodland margins and rocky slopes of the Trans-Caucasus region, between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea. This region spans Armenia, Iran, Georgia, Turkey, and a small part of Russia.

Planting

This species can be planted in-ground just about anywhere. With a modest height and spread that is generally no more than 15 feet, it works well in small backyards, as part of a foundation planting, under utility lines, or as part of a larger fruit orchard. The elegant white and pink flowers that emerge in late spring attract plenty of pollinators. Space them 10-15 feet apart.

Small varieties, like ‘Rich’s Dwarf’, which tops out at just 8 feet tall, also make good candidates for a container-grown tree. To accommodate roots, containers should be at least 24 inches wide and deep. Choose a container with adequate drainage holes in the bottom, use a high quality potting mix, and place the container in a location with full sun.

Transplanting

You can plant this species anytime, but ideally, they should go into the ground in late fall or early spring, while they are dormant. Avoid hot, dry periods. They prefer cool, fertile soils and plenty of moisture to get established.

Growing from Seed

It is possible to grow quince from seed, however germination and growth can be slow. Quince seeds require a period of cold stratification to help break them out of dormancy.

How to Grow

These fruits are relatively easy to grow. They aren’t overly picky about soil type and they can even be somewhat drought-tolerant once established.

Light

Plant in full sun. They will tolerate partial shade, however they tend to flower more profusely in full sun.

Water

Quince trees prefer moderate amounts of moisture, but avoid planting them in locations that stay waterlogged during the winter months. Keep trees consistently well-watered in the summer. 

Apply a 1-3-inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark or leaves, around the base of the tree in the spring to help conserve soil moisture and keep roots cool. Keep the mulch at least a couple of inches away from the tree’s trunk. Once established, they can tolerate occasional periods of drought.

Soil

Quinces are quite tolerant of a range of soils. Ideally, plant in fertile, loamy soils that are slightly acidic. Amend soils with compost prior to planting a new quince tree. 

Temperature and Humidity

This species is reliably hardy in zones 5-9. However, they are quite cold-hardy, and some varieties have been grown in zone 4 as well. These trees grow best at an average of 60°F (16°C), but will tolerate temperatures as low as -5°F (-21°C). They prefer average to low humidity.

Fertilizing

If planted in rich, fertile soil, they do not require much supplemental fertilizing. Apply a well-balanced fertilizer once in the early spring to promote flowering and a fresh flush of growth. Avoid overfertilizing. Too much nitrogen can lead to excessive leafy growth and new growth is highly susceptible to fire blight. 

Maintenance

Light pruning in either late winter or early spring can help shape the trees and remove any stray suckers. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches at any time. Aside from that, they do not require much maintenance. 

Propagation

These unique fruits are relatively easy to propagate. Stem cuttings and mound layering produces new specimens that are genetically identical to their parent plant. This is different from propagating plants from seeds, which can result in a mix of genes from both parent plants.

Cuttings

Quince trees can be propagated easily by hardwood cuttings, although sometimes the resulting trees produce suckers. Check to ensure the variety you’re growing isn’t one of the ones that is difficult to propagate by cutting before getting started. There are a few of those. Trees grown from cuttings will produce fruit before those started from seed.

Mound Layering

Also called stool layering, mound layering is an older, but very effective method of plant propagation. Mound layering is especially useful with heavy-stemmed, densely branching fruit plants, including apple, cherry, and quince trees.

Harvesting and Storage

Quinces mature and are ready to harvest in the fall, typically between October and November. The exact time will depend on the growing zone and tree variety. In mild climates that don’t have harsh winters, quinces can be left on the tree and enjoyed fresh. Fruits will continue to ripen after being picked, however quinces develop the best flavor when allowed to ripen on the tree.

Harvest fruits when they are very fragrant and saturated in color. Fruits will shift from pale yellow-green to a deep golden color as they mature. Despite being relatively hard, the fruits bruise easily; handle them gently during harvest.

Store fruits in a refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Fruits can be stored just above freezing in a cold storage for up to 3 months. Quinces have a strong aroma that can easily overpower and interfere with pears and apples; store them separately from other fruits.

Popular Varieties

These cultivars add beauty and aroma to the landscape.

‘Aromatnaya’

This variety has large, uniform fruit that ripens to a deep yellow color with a lemony, clean fragrance. ‘Aromatnaya’ typically blooms late enough to miss spring freezes, and it is relatively disease resistant.

‘Smyrna’

‘Smyrna’ flowers in mid spring. Fruits have light yellow flesh and golden skin. ‘Smyrna’ has a low winter chill requirement (around 300 hours) and is well-suited for gardeners in warmer climates.

‘Pineapple’

This is a popular American variety, and one of the first quince types to be considered tasty when eaten fresh. ‘Pineapple’ flowers in late spring. Pear-shaped fruits have golden skin and firm, white flesh. The aromatic fruits taste like a blend of apple, pear, and pineapple. 

Common Problems

Despite being easy to grow, this species is not exactly the most resilient plant. They are susceptible to several pests and diseases.

Pests

Take preventative measures to keep these bugs at bay.

Aphids

Aphids are an ever-frequent garden pest. These tiny insects cluster on stems and under leaves, sucking out the plant’s juices. Foliage will eventually curl and die, and young trees may become deformed.

Natural enemies, such as syrphid flies, ladybird beetles, and lacewings, can occasionally keep aphids under control. Smaller trees can be sprayed with a strong stream of water from a hose in the early morning. This knocks the aphids off the tree and prevents further feeding.

Codling Moth

The caterpillars of this moth are one of the most destructive apple pests that feed on quince trees. The moths lay their eggs on or near developing fruits, and the larvae make their way into the fruits through the end where the flower petals were attached.

Codling moth caterpillars won’t kill the quince tree, but will leave plenty of unsightly holes in its fruit. To prevent codling moths, thin fruit regularly and remove any infested fruit as soon as it’s discovered. Don’t eat fruit that has been bored into if you don’t want to accidentally munch on worms.

San Jose Scale

Scale is a type of armored insect that can be very difficult to control due to their waxy outer covering. This species, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus, is known to infest quince, pecan, poinsettia, Oregon grape, apple, plum, pear, and several other trees and shrubs.

It appears primarily on the bark, but will sometimes infest fruit and leaves. Light infestations can cause leaf wilting and branch dieback, however heavier infestations can result in the death of entire plants. The best treatments are blasts of water, followed by targeted use of insecticidal soaps. Spray these directly on the scale to prevent damage to beneficial insects.

Diseases

Pathogens tend to attack in humid, wet conditions.

Black Spot

This common fungal disease of this species starts as small reddish brown spots with black interiors. Sunken black spots appear on the fruit. Heavily infected trees may lose most of their leaves. The fungus, Fabraea maculata, overwinters on old leaves; be sure to clean up fallen leaves around the tree before winter sets in to prevent proliferation.

Fire Blight

Fire blight is a bacterial disease that affects many fruit trees in the Rosaceae family, including pear, apple, and quince. This disease is caused by Erwinia amylovora, a bacteria that overwinters in tree bark or cankers. Infected specimens will have dead, blackened shoots, foliage, and flowers.

Quince trees are highly susceptible to fire blight infection, particularly via open flowers during the bloom period. Prune infected trees down to the healthy wood, taking care to disinfect pruners and other tools with bleach or alcohol between plants. Severely infected trees should be cut down entirely and burned to prevent spread.

Quince Leaf Blight

This fungal disease appears as dark brown spots on the surface of leaves. Leaves will eventually become distorted and drop, and fruits may also become spotted. The fungus that causes this leaf blight, Diplocarpon mespili, overwinters on dead twigs and fallen leaves.

The spores spread easily, especially via splashing water. Practice “good garden hygiene” and dispose of fallen leaves surrounding this tree. Water at the drip line with soaker hoses or drip irrigation. Leaf blight has been known to infect hawthorn and pear trees, however those outbreaks are usually far less damaging than those on quince. Remove damaged leaves as you notice them where possible.

Rust and Powdery Mildew

Rust is a fungal disease characterized by small orange spots on leaves and fruits, and swollen growths on stems. The fungus, Gymnosporangium clavipes, spends part of its life cycle on junipers before moving to quince, pear, or crabapple trees.

Powdery mildew causes white powdery masses on the upper surface of quinice leaves. It’s more typical in mild, moist climates, and easily spreads from multiple cultivated and wild hosts. It’s a common issue many gardeners face.

Frequently Asked Questions