Quince.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous fruit tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

4 to 6 meters

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist while the tree is young, but allow it to dry slightly between waterings once established. Watch for signs of fire blight, such as blackened leaves or branches, and prune those away immediately. Providing a layer of mulch helps retain soil moisture and keeps the roots cool.

Watering

Water deeply during dry spells to support fruit development.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins.

Pruning

Prune in late winter while the tree is dormant to maintain shape and remove dead wood.

Repotting

Repot only if growing in a container, otherwise keep in the ground.

Soil

Well-draining loam

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-25 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides and should not be consumed in large quantities.

Pets

The plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The hard, raw fruit poses a choking hazard if not cooked or processed properly.

Contact allergens

The fine, fuzzy hairs on young leaves and fruit can cause mild skin irritation.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is generally not considered a major allergen.

Edibility

Quince fruit is extremely astringent and hard when raw, requiring cooking to be palatable.

How to identify it

• Oval shaped leaves with fuzzy undersides
• Large pale pink or white flowers
• Golden yellow pear shaped fruit
• Smooth, untoothed leaf margins
• Smooth gray bark on mature branches

Height

3 to 6m

Spread

3 to 6m

Leaves

green, grey-green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pale pink, 4 to 6cm

Fruit

yellow, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Codling MothCommon
• Fire BlightCommon
• Quince RustCommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• Powdery MildewUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Root RotRare

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, grafting, seed

When to plant

Spring, Autumn

Overwintering

Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect roots from extreme temperature fluctuations. Prune only during deep dormancy to avoid stimulating growth that could be damaged by frost.

In containers

It can be grown in large containers, but it is much happier and more productive in the ground.

Planting aromatic herbs beneath the canopy can help mask the scent of the fruit from pests.

Grows well with

• Lavender · Attracts beneficial pollinators to the orchard.
• Chives · Helps deter certain pests with its scent.

Keep away from

• Apple · They share many of the same pests and diseases.

Similar species

• Flowering Quince · Often confused due to the name, but grown primarily for flowers.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Cydonia

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Southwest Asia and the Caucasus region.

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

It thrives in sunny, well drained sites and often grows near water sources in its native range.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees

Uses

culinary preserves, ornamental flowering tree, fragrant fruit

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I eat quince raw?

It is not recommended as it is very hard and astringent.

Does it need a pollinator?

Most varieties are self fertile but produce better crops with another tree nearby.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cydonia refers to the ancient city of Cydonia on Crete, while the specific epithet oblonga describes the shape of the leaves.

Good to know

• Quince is a member of the rose family.
• It is often considered the original golden apple of mythology.
• The word marmalade comes from the Portuguese word for quince, marmelo.