How to Grow a Peach Tree From a Peach Stone

Peach trees grow up to 15 feet tall.

Sweet, juicy peaches grow on trees that are relatively hardy, and each peach carries its own pit for seeding new trees. These large, hard pits are referred to as "stones" and peaches, plums and cherries are known as "stone fruits." Although a peach stone will not grow true to the fruit it came from, it has the best chance of growing into a peach tree if you start your peach pit in fall. The stones need a cold spell to "crack" them and begin germination.

Things You'll Need

• Garden spade
• Quick-draining loam
• Organic compost
• Starter soil
• 6-inch pot

Instructions

1. Wash the pit to get rid of any fruit matter.

2. Clear weeds and sod from an outdoor site in full sun with quick drainage and at least 20 feet of space for growing if you live in U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zones 5 to 9. Clean a 6-inch pot with drainage holes if you live in a warmer or colder growing zone, as the tree won't survive outdoors in your area.

3. Dig into the top 6 inches of soil in an outdoor planting site with a shovel. Add 1 inch of quick-draining loam and 1 inch of organic compost to ensure a loose foundation for root growth. If you're starting the pit in a pot, fill the pot full of starter soil for good germination.

4. Plant the peach pit 4 inches deep in both outdoor and potted situations. In a yard planting, add 1 inch of organic mulch to help protect the pit during the coming winter. Put a pot outdoors, in a protected location.

5. Water the pit with 1 inch of water a week if there is no snow. If you can't see the ground due to snow, leave the pit to fend for itself. Expect sprouting in spring.

6. Transplant potted peach seedlings to larger pots after sprouting.

Tips & Warnings

• Peach trees begin producing fruit when they are 2 to 3 years old.

• After they begin to produce, fruit grows only on first-year growth, so need annual pruning.

• Peach trees are susceptible to numerous pests and diseases.

References

• Colorado State Extension; Starting Peaches from Pits; Robert Cox
• Ohio State University Extension; Growing Peaches and Nectarines in the Home Landscape; Gary Gao
• Virginia Cooperative Extension; Growing Peachs & Nectarines in Virginia; Richard P. Marini
• Binghamton University Environmental Studies Program; Edible Horticulture: Fruit Trees