Sour cherry and Sweet cherry are often considered for the same spot in the garden (specimen, flowers, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.
Prunus cerasus 4 m × 3.5 m after 10 years
Sour cherry is a smaller and less demanding fruit tree than sweet cherry: it flowers later, so spring frost takes the crop less often, and it copes…
Prunus avium 4.5 m × 3.5 m after 10 years
Sweet cherry is covered in white blossom in spring and gives the first fresh fruit of summer from late May to July. It is sold grafted and the…
Sweet cherry grows faster than Sour cherry.
Sour cherry is hardier: down to -34 °C, against -29 °C for Sweet cherry.
Sour cherry needs less care than Sweet cherry.
|
Feature
|
Sour cherry
|
Sweet cherry
|
|---|---|---|
| Group | Fruit | Fruit |
| Size after 10 years | 4 m × 3.5 m | 4.5 m × 3.5 m |
| Ultimate size | 3–8 m × 3–6 m | 3–8 m × 2.5–5.5 m |
| Growth rate | Medium | Fast |
| Light | Full sun, Part shade | Full sun |
| Soil | Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous | Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous |
| Hardiness | down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) | down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7) |
| Foliage | Deciduous | Deciduous |
| Flowering | April–May, white | April–May, white |
| Water need | Medium | Medium |
| Drought tolerance | Medium | Medium |
| Maintenance | Medium | High |
| Planting distance | 500 cm | 500 cm |
| For dogs | Toxic | Toxic |
| For cats | Toxic | Toxic |
| For children | Mildly toxic (uncertain) | Mildly toxic (uncertain) |
| Typical price | approx. HUF 5,000 | approx. HUF 5,000 |
Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 13, 2026
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