Quince
Cydonia oblonga
Also listed as Pyrus cydonia, Cydonia vulgaris
Also known as Common Quince, Quince Tree
Climate Match for your location
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Quince is a small deciduous tree prized for its fragrant spring blossoms and hard, aromatic yellow fruit used primarily for preserves and paste. It is hardy, relatively pest-resistant, and valuable in permaculture systems for food production and pollinator attraction.
Why grow it
Quince differs from apples and pears in that it cannot be eaten raw and requires cooking or preserving, making it a specialized rather than dual-purpose fruit crop. It tolerates poor soils better than many fruit trees and produces reliable yields with minimal pest management, which can reduce input costs in low-maintenance systems. The flowers appear later in spring than most stone and pome fruits, reducing frost damage risk in marginal climates. Quince also serves as a pollinator plant and rootstock for pear grafting.
Watch out for
The fruit's extremely hard texture and astringent tannins mean it requires considerable processing time and equipment to render usable. Tree productivity peaks between years 5 and 15, so establish realistic expectations for yield timing. Quince can sucker vigorously from the base if pruned heavily, requiring ongoing management to maintain a single-stem form.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Iran and surrounding regions
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Quince is a small deciduous tree prized for its fragrant spring blossoms and hard, aromatic yellow fruit used primarily for preserves and paste. It is hardy, relatively pest-resistant, and valuable in permaculture systems for food production and pollinator attraction.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Quince grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Quince differs from apples and pears in that it cannot be eaten raw and requires cooking or preserving, making it a specialized rather than dual-purpose fruit crop. It tolerates poor soils better than many fruit trees and produces reliable yields with minimal pest management, which can reduce input costs in low-maintenance systems. The flowers appear later in spring than most stone and pome fruits, reducing frost damage risk in marginal climates. Quince also serves as a pollinator plant and rootstock for pear grafting.
Watch out for
The fruit's extremely hard texture and astringent tannins mean it requires considerable processing time and equipment to render usable. Tree productivity peaks between years 5 and 15, so establish realistic expectations for yield timing. Quince can sucker vigorously from the base if pruned heavily, requiring ongoing management to maintain a single-stem form.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native Range
Iran and surrounding regions
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Sub-canopy
Smaller trees living beneath the canopy.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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