What soil does Pear grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Pear be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Pear need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Pear cost?

It sells for roughly €14 to €480 in local shops, depending on size.

Pear

Pyrus communis

Pear (Pyrus communis) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €14.

Illustration of Pear — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An upright fruit tree with a narrower crown that is covered in white blossom in early spring and ripens its fruit from midsummer to autumn depending on the cultivar. It is sold grafted: on quince rootstock it stays a garden-sized tree of 3 to 4.5 m, while on seedling pear rootstock it can grow taller than 10 m, so check the rootstock when you buy. Most cultivars need another pear cultivar flowering at the same time for a good crop, and it likes a warm, sunny, sheltered spot because the early blossom is easily caught by frost.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the most serious disease of pear is fire blight: flowers and shoots turn black as if scorched, infected branches must be cut back hard and in bad cases the tree dies. Pear rust is very common: it causes orange spots on the leaves and overwinters on nearby junipers, so do not plant it next to junipers. Scab and brown rot also occur. The main pest is pear psylla, whose sticky honeydew gets covered in sooty mould, along with codling moth, pear sawfly and aphids. Without regular spraying and yearly pruning it rarely crops well. On quince rootstock the leaves can turn yellow on chalky soil and it copes worse with drought. Windfalls attract wasps.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: High
Size after 10 years: 4 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	4 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	3–15 m × 2.5–10 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white
Harvest	July–October
Self-fertile	no
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	High
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	400 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €14

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €14 – €480

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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