Growing apple
pome fruit
Pollination
Plant a second apple (or a flowering crabapple) with overlapping bloom. 'Anna', 'Dorsett Golden', 'Fuji' are common low-chill choices.
Growing it
Bred for mild-winter regions (Zones 8-10). Full sun; well-drained soil; annual dormant pruning.
Where apple grows best
Hardy in zones 8-10, and it needs enough winter cold - about 300-500 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Maryland, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Apple (low-chill) needs roughly 300–500 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does apple grow in?
Apple (low-chill) grows in USDA hardiness zones 8-10. In the warmest of those (zone 10), winters may be too mild to give the chill it needs, so choose low-chill varieties there.
How many chill hours does apple need?
Roughly 300-500 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does apple need a pollinator?
Needs a pollination partner. Plant a second apple (or a flowering crabapple) with overlapping bloom. 'Anna', 'Dorsett Golden', 'Fuji' are common low-chill choices.
Which states can grow apple?
Apple (low-chill) suits most of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and parts of 18 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.