Cydonia oblonga
Fruit & Nuts

Quince

Cydonia oblonga

Quince · Light: Full sun · Water: Moderate. Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

LightFull sun
WaterModerate
DifficultyModerate
CategoryFruit & Nuts
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Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.

Quince — Growing reference

Scientific nameCydonia oblonga
First harvest or flowering (days)1095–2190
Measured fromTransplant
Plant spacing (cm)304.8–457.2
Mature height (cm)304.8–457.2
Mature spread (cm)304.8–457.2
USDA hardiness zones5–9
LightFull sun
WaterModerate
Sowing methodTransplant

Growing directions

Quince is self-fertile and one of the easier tree fruits to grow, tolerating heavier and wetter soils than apples or pears. It needs 300–500 chill hours, which suits zones 5–9 broadly. The fruit is astringent and almost always cooked rather than eaten raw; it turns pink when heated with sugar and is prized for marmalade, paste (membrillo), and jelly. Harvest in late autumn when the fruit turns fully golden-yellow and fragrant, before the first hard freeze.

Source and local conditions

Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

OpenPlantDB · quince

Source & verification

OpenPlantDB · CC0

Open reference source ↗