Growing apricot
stone fruit
Pollination
Most are self-fertile; a few ('Moorpark', 'Perfection') set more with a partner.
Growing it
Zones 5-8. Blooms very early, so late frosts often take the crop - a sheltered, north-facing spot that delays bloom helps.
Where apricot grows best
Hardy in zones 5-8, and it needs enough winter cold - about 300-900 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Will you get enough chill?
Apricot needs roughly 300–900 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 apricot grow in?
Apricot grows in USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
How many chill hours does apricot need?
Roughly 300-900 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 apricot need a pollinator?
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner. Most are self-fertile; a few ('Moorpark', 'Perfection') set more with a partner.
Which states can grow apricot?
Apricot suits most of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky and 16 more, and parts of 21 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.