What soil does Quince grow in?

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

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Quince be planted?

Plant it at least 4.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

When does Quince flower?

Flowering: April–May, white, pink.

How much water does Quince need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Quince

Cydonia oblonga

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium.

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

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

A small, spreading, often multi-stemmed tree with large felted leaves and big white or pale pink flowers in late spring, so it is attractive as an ornamental too. The golden yellow, strongly scented fruit ripens in autumn; raw it is hard and astringent, and it is meant for preserves, jam and quince cheese. A single tree usually crops on its own, though a few cultivars set better next to another quince cultivar, and the final size is 3 to 5 m depending on the rootstock, larger on its own roots. Plant it in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the main danger for quince is fire blight, to which it is very susceptible: blackened shoots must be cut back hard and the secateurs disinfected. In wet years quince leaf blight (small brown spots, early leaf fall, spotted fruit) is common, as is brown rot, which attacks the flowers, shoot tips and fruit. Powdery mildew, codling moth and aphids can occur. On strongly chalky soil the leaves turn yellow (iron chlorosis). It gets by with less spraying than apple and pear, but it does need a late winter wash and removal of diseased parts. It needs little pruning: keep the crown open and remove suckers from the base.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 3.5 m × 3 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white, pink

All details

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	3.5 m × 3 m
Ultimate size	3–7.5 m × 3–7 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white, pink
Harvest	September–October
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 4.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	350 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

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

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

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