How to Plant a Cherry Pit to Grow a Fruit-Bearing Tree at Home

A cluster of cherries hanging on a tree branch — Credit:
the_burtons / Getty Images

If you love cherries, consider saving the pit for planting. While many gardeners choose to purchase young trees from nurseries, growing a cherry tree from its seed can be a rewarding experience. Cherry trees showcase beautiful blooms in the spring and produce delicious fruit in late spring and early summer.

Although it is possible to grow a cherry tree from a seed, the process requires patience, and the tree you cultivate will not be a replica of the original. Equipping yourself with valuable insights on how to grow a cherry tree from a pit can significantly increase your chances of success. From selecting the best seeds to learning when and how to transplant your tree outdoors, you’ll find expert guidance ahead that will make the experience enjoyable and fruitful.

Jared Gidley, CEO of Hood River Cherry Company, with over 15 years of horticultural experience with cherries
Marvin Pritts, professor of horticulture at Cornell University

How to Grow a Cherry Tree From a Pit

Growing a healthy cherry tree from a pit is a straightforward process. Here's how to do it the right way, according to Jared Gidley, CEO of Hood River Cherry Company.

Remove the pit: After eating a cherry, wash the pit with water, making sure no fruit residue is left on it. Dry the pit thoroughly to prevent mold growth.
Stratify the pit: The pit needs to be stratified, or tricked into thinking it has been through a cold winter. To accomplish this, place the pit in a plastic bag with a moist paper towel. Seal the bag and place it in the refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks. Check on it occasionally to ensure the towel remains moist.
Plant the pit: After stratification, fill a small pot with well-draining potting soil. Plant the pit about 1 inch deep in the soil. Water the soil and place the pot in a sunny location. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Germination can take a few weeks to a few months, so be patient.

What to Expect
Cherry trees grown from seed won't be identical to the parent plant. "When you select a cherry pit (seed) for germination, you cannot determine the identity of the father tree, known as the pollen donor, unless the cherry comes from a self-pollinating variety," says Marvin Pritts, professor of horticulture at Cornell University. Even in that case, Pritts notes that the seedling will not be identical to the mother tree because the genes for different traits are mixed.

For fruit crops, Pritts explains that the offspring often end up being lower quality than either parent. "This is why fruit crops are mostly propagated vegetatively, or cloned, rather than grown from seeds." Breeders typically screen over 10,000 offspring to find just one that is better than both parents.

How to Transplant Outdoors

Most cherry tree varieties can survive outdoors in zones 5 to 9. If you live outside this range, it's best to grow cherry trees in containers and bring them inside during fall and winter. You can plant your young tree outside once the threat of frost has passed and the seedling is at least 12 inches tall.

Harden off the seedling: Acclimate your seedling to outdoor conditions before planting it in the ground. Begin by placing the pot in a sheltered outdoor spot for a few hours each day. Gradually increase the amount of time spent outside throughout one to two weeks. This helps the seedling adjust to direct sunlight, wind, and temperature fluctuations.
Choose a location: Cherry trees need a spot with well-draining soil and six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Additionally, ensure there is ample space for the tree to grow to its full size, both in height and width.
Dig a hole: Once you've chosen a suitable location, dig a hole twice as wide and just as deep as the pot the seedling is in. Amend the hole with organic matter if your soil is slow to drain.
Plant the seedling: Remove the seedling from the pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Place the seedling in the center of the hole, making sure the top of the root flare is level with the ground.
Backfill and water: Fill the hole with soil, gently patting it down to remove any air pockets. Water the base of the tree thoroughly to help the soil settle.
Add mulch: Mulch around the base of the tree with a 2 to 3-inch layer of wood chips or shredded bark to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent rot.

How to Transplant Into Containers

Transplanting your young cherry tree into a container is an exciting step in your gardening journey. This process is straightforward, but careful placement is essential for helping your cherry tree thrive.

Choose a container: Select a container with sufficient drainage holes and a diameter of 18 to 20 inches. For long-term cultivation of a potted cherry tree, select dwarf or semi-dwarf varieties.
Prepare the container: Fill the container a few inches below the rim with well-draining, standard potting mix formulated for container growing. Cherry trees prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Transplant the seedling into the pot: Carefully place the young cherry tree into the container, ensuring that the root flare is level with the soil surface and centered in the container. Planting the root flare too deep can suffocate the roots, causing disease. Water the newly planted tree thoroughly.
Find a suitable location: Place the container in a spot that receives six to eight hours of sunlight daily.

How to Choose a Cherry Seed to Grow

Although the cherries you receive from the pit you plant may not be identical to those of the parent tree, Pritt says growing a cherry tree from seed is still a rewarding process. Following these tips will help you select the best cherry seed for your growing climate.

Choose Local

When searching for the best cherry seeds to cultivate, visit your local farmers' market. Local cherries are more likely to be suited to your specific climate and growing conditions, which increases the chances of successfully establishing a healthy tree. Cultivating seeds from supermarket cherries can be risky, as they may not be compatible with your growing zone or could be treated in a way that affects their viability.

Variety Matters

Sweet cherries, such as 'Bing' or 'Rainier,' thrive in mild climates, while tart cherries like 'Montmorency' can withstand colder regions. To ensure successful cherry cultivation, it’s advisable to contact your local cooperative extension or nursery for recommendations on the best cherry varieties suited to your specific growing climate.

Freshness is Key

The fresher the cherries are, the more likely the seeds are to germinate. Select fresh cherries by shopping locally, since supermarket cherries may have been refrigerated, which can reduce seed viability.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to grow cherries from seeds?

Cherry trees generally take seven to 10 years to mature, but some varieties can bear fruit in as little as four to five years.
What is the best month to plant cherries?

The best times to plant a cherry tree is in early spring and late fall. Planting in early spring, after the risk of frost has passed, allows the roots to establish themselves before the heat of summer arrives. Planting in late fall is ideal for regions with mild winters, as it helps the roots settle before the growing season starts.
Should you soak a cherry seed before planting it?

Soaking cherry seeds helps remove the pulp, preventing rot that can hinder germination. For cherry pits with hard shells, soaking can soften them, enabling roots to emerge more easily.