Can I eat quince raw?

It is not recommended due to the rock hard texture and intense astringency.

Do I need two trees for fruit?

Most varieties are self fertile, but planting two can increase your harvest.

Plant guide

Quince.

Cydonia oblonga

Pronounced sy-DOH-nee-uh ob-LONG-guh

Also known as Common Quince, Quince

The quince is a lovely small tree that produces fragrant, golden yellow fruit in the autumn. It is a classic addition to an orchard, offering beautiful pale pink flowers in the spring. You will find it is quite hardy and enjoys a sunny spot in the garden.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Deciduous fruit tree
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: direct
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: -20 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 30 to 50 years
Fragrance: strong
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Noticeable decline in fruit production.

Safety

People: The seeds contain amygdalin, which releases cyanide when crushed or chewed, so they should be discarded.
Pets: The plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The hard, raw fruit poses a choking hazard to small children if they attempt to bite into it.
Contact allergens: The fuzzy coating on the leaves and fruit can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a significant allergen for most people.
Edibility: The raw fruit is extremely astringent and hard, so it must be cooked or processed before eating.

How to identify it

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

Height: 3 to 6m
Spread: 3 to 5m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: white, pink, 4 to 6cm
Fruit: yellow, Autumn

Common problems

Fire blight — A bacterial infection that causes blossoms and branches to appear scorched.
Quince rust — A fungal issue that creates orange, spore producing growths on the fruit and leaves.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, grafting, seed
When to plant: Spring, Autumn
Overwintering: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from deep freezes. Prune only during the dormant winter season.
In containers: It can be grown in large containers, but it requires a very large pot of at least 20 gallons to thrive long term.

Hardwood Cuttings

Take 8 to 10 inch cuttings in late winter.
Dip the base in rooting hormone.
Insert into a pot with moist, sandy soil.
Keep in a cool, sheltered spot until spring growth begins.

Planting aromatic herbs beneath the canopy can help mask the scent of the tree from some insect pests.

Grows well with

Lavender — It attracts beneficial pollinators to the orchard.
Chives — These help deter certain pests from the base of the tree.

Similar species

Flowering Quince — It is a close relative grown primarily for its showy flowers rather than fruit.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Cydonia
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwest Asia and the Caucasus region.
Conservation: This species is not of conservation concern and is widely cultivated globally.

It thrives in sunny, well drained sites and is adapted to survive in temperate climates with distinct seasons.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: culinary fruit, ornamental tree, jams and jellies

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I eat quince raw?: It is not recommended due to the rock hard texture and intense astringency.
Do I need two trees for fruit?: Most varieties are self fertile, but planting two can increase your harvest.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Cydonia comes from the ancient Greek city of Kydonia on Crete, where the fruit was once abundant. The common name quince is derived from the plural of the Old French word coing.

Good to know

Quince trees are often used as rootstock for pears.
The fruit turns from green to a bright golden yellow when fully ripe.
Quince is naturally high in pectin, making it perfect for jams.
The wood of the quince tree is very hard and was historically used for fine woodworking.

Is your quince looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.