Why You Should Grow Apricot Trees at Home

Apricots in the Kitchen

Crisp Apricot Bars
Apricot Cobbler
Grilled Maple-Butter Apricots
Apricot Pie
Apricot Chicken

Should I Grow An Apricot Tree, and Which One?

The Royal Apricot Tree
The Chinese Apricot Tree
The Tilton Apricot Tree

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m really craving an apricot right now!”? It’s rare, we’ll admit it. However, we think they deserve the spotlight as they are unique, delectable, and certainly underrated! We know for a fact that those who do eat apricots, LOVE them--you should too!

This awesome fruit has been around for thousands of years. They originated in China during 2000 B.C. Quickly, they traveled to every continent except Antarctica (we feel bad for the penguins, they’d probably enjoy apricots).

This tasty fruit grows on beautiful trees that start to bloom in early spring. The flowers on the trees range from white to pinks, making a gorgeous welcome for the spring and summer growing seasons. The apricots themselves usually appear during the summer months, being a refreshing, healthy snack during those hot days.

There are dozens of apricot varieties! The popular ones being:

Goldcot
Autumn Glo
Golden Sweet
Wenatchee
Chinese

All their trees have different climates and needs so everyone can enjoy having their own to grow.

They have the same qualities as other fan-favorite fruits! They have golden skin ranging from more yellow to orange. The sun reflects on their skin, causing a red blush. A few types of apricots get red dots speckled all over their sunkissed side.

Their skin is velvety and delicate. And like a peach, there is a subtle “suture” that runs down the side of the apricot. To add to their cuteness, they are usually a small fruit. Many people enjoy eating this brightly colored fruit multiple at a time.

The taste of an apricot is fun and unique! It has a mouthwatering sweet and tart flavor--some say it’s like a cross between a peach and plum. They’re filled with just the right amount of juice, as it is not too much or too little!

Other than the taste being amazing, the health benefits never end. They are a great source of vitamin A and C. The calorie count is low too, making them a harmless snack during the day! There is no saturated fat, which is even better!

Apricots in the Kitchen

Of course, when apricots are pulled right off all the fruit trees, the fresh flavor is hard to beat. They’re to die for when fresh! Put them in a salad for a sweet kick, or serve them with all kinds of fruits (They’ll be the star of the show, though)!

Eating dried apricots is also popular! These become a golden brown color unless treated with sulfur dioxide, which then turns them bright orange. They are great for an afternoon energy boost! They are rich in fiber, iron, potassium, along with still being a great source of vitamin A and C.

Cooking and baking with apricots adds a wonderful flavor you didn’t think was possible. Here are our 5 favorite foods made with this underrated fruit. The overall taste will wow you!

Crisp Apricot Bars

Talk about a dessert everyone will unexpectedly love! Fresh apricots are mixed with cinnamon sugar and brown sugar, then laid between the tasty streusel crust. They store very well, making it the perfect snack that will last a few weeks!

Apricot Cobbler

Cobblers are known for being a comforting and delicious dessert. The mix of cinnamon and nutmeg flavors combined with the fresh apricots create a whirlwind of amazing flavor. Top it with whipped cream and you have a masterpiece!

Grilled Maple-Butter Apricots

This is the perfect topping for ice cream! Simply grill the apricots and apply the syrupy mixture as they cook. Butter, Vanilla, and Maple Syrup is a fantastic, sweet flavor to pair with cold, refreshing ice cream.

Apricot Pie

You can’t go wrong with putting fruit in a pie. Lightly doused with cinnamon, the apricot filling is the perfect sweet tooth recovery. This pie isn’t overpoweringly sweet for your taste buds, which means you can add ice cream with no guilt!

Apricot Chicken

Apricots are used in multiple ways in this sweet and savory meal. Apricot sauce is cooked with the chicken. Then, add chopped apricots to make an inviting plate of food! Pair it with green beans for an extremely healthy, tasty, and colorful meal!

Should I Grow An Apricot Tree, and Which One?

Of course! Life is simply better with a fruit tree in your backyard. There are many different kinds of apricot trees, and one of them is perfect for you!

They all love locations with full sun! However, depending on the certain tree, the zones they can grow in differ. We’ll look at a few different options.

The Royal Apricot Tree

The Royal Apricot Tree (Prunus armeniaca ‘Blenheim Royal’) is calling your name! This tree might as well have a crown on top.

It has beautiful green foliage starting in early spring to fall. During the spring, it displays small white flowers speckled across the tree that later get replaced by the Royal Apricot.

This tree is perfect for those in growing zones 7-10. Plant your apricot trees in the sun! They love the sun. In addition, they have a low chilling requirement of 400 or fewer chill hours.

Another added bonus of this royal tree is that it’s self-pollinating (it even produces larger crops when you have more than one variety).

They produce fruit and they ripen during mid-June--a perfect time to have a refreshing snack! This is an easier fruit tree, as it is very adaptable to different soil types and moisture levels.

If you’re in the right growing zone and don’t want too much work (other than pruning and watering), this is the tree for you!

The Chinese Apricot Tree

The Chinese Apricot Tree (Prunus armeniaca ‘Chinese’) is a frost-resistant, beautiful tree. The pink-hued, white flowers are gorgeous with a dark green leaf background. The one offered at Nature Hills is an adorable dwarf tree, being 15-20 feet tall.

This tree is perfect for those in zones 5-9. This is a tough tree, being very frost-resistant.

It requires 700 chill hours to bloom like you’ve never seen before. This is also self-pollinating and if you get more than one variety, it can produce larger crops!

Its fruits have a sweet mild flavor, being one of the world’s favorites. The tree is shaped magically, as they reach upward and canopy over the ground.

This tree is also very adaptable to different soil types and moisture levels. If you want a mystic-looking fruit tree, this one's for you.

The Golden Sweet Apricot Tree

The Golden Sweet Apricot Tree (Prunus x ‘Golden Sweet’) is known for having sweet, flavorful apricots. Its emerald green leaves compliment the golden fruit. It can grow up to 18 feet tall, being a perfect size.

This tree is great for those in growing zones 5-8. Lucky for the crazy climate folks, this tree is frost-resistant. They also require 400-500 chill hours to properly flourish!

They aren’t picky on soil types, but do love to be watered regularly. This tree is self-pollinating and produces larger crops with another apricot tree!

They produce the tasty fruit later in the season--right in time for the hottest month of the year. Take a relaxer under the shade of this beautiful tree. If you’re looking for a magnificent fruit tree to increase your curb appeal, the Golden Sweet is for you.

Take a chance, explore the world of apricots! It will be your favorite fruit, tree, and cooking ingredient!

Learn why Apricots are one of the most underrated fruits and a few of the best ways to use them. You’ll want an Apricot tree of your own after reading!

Happy Planting!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can apricot trees be grown in a home garden?

Yes, apricot trees are well-suited for home gardens and come in a wide range of varieties to fit different climates and growing conditions. Popular options like the Royal, Chinese, and Tilton apricot trees each have their own specific climate requirements, so selecting the right variety for your region is key. Visit naturehills.com to browse available apricot tree varieties and find the one best matched to your growing zone and garden space.

Are apricot trees hard to grow compared to other fruit trees?

Apricot trees are generally considered moderate in difficulty compared to other fruit trees, and their wide variety of cultivars means there is likely one suited to your specific climate and growing zone. The main challenge with apricots is their early spring bloom time, which makes the blossoms vulnerable to late frosts in some regions. Choosing the right variety for your area is the key to success, so browse Nature Hills' selection of apricot trees and use the zone information provided to find the best match for your garden.

What soil and sunlight conditions do apricot trees need to thrive?

Apricot trees thrive in full sun, requiring at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily, and prefer well-drained, loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. They are generally suited to USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8, though this varies by variety, with some like the Chinese Apricot performing well in colder regions. Avoid planting in low-lying areas where frost can settle, as apricot trees bloom early in spring and late frosts can damage their blossoms. Before planting, amend heavy clay or sandy soils with compost to improve drainage and fertility, giving your tree the best foundation for a productive harvest.

How do I grow apricots successfully in my home garden?

Apricot trees thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9, depending on the variety, and prefer a sunny location with well-drained soil. Because they bloom early in spring, selecting a variety suited to your region is critical to avoiding frost damage to the blossoms. Chinese and Tilton apricots are popular choices with slightly different climate tolerances, so browse Nature Hills' variety selection to find the best match for your growing zone. Plant in a spot that receives at least 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, water consistently during the first establishment year, and look forward to summer harvests of fresh fruit right from your own backyard.

How should I prune an apricot tree for the best fruit production?

Apricot trees produce the best fruit when pruned to an open-center or vase shape, which allows sunlight to reach all parts of the canopy. Prune during late winter or very early spring, just as buds begin to swell but before full bloom, to reduce the risk of disease. Remove any dead, crossing, or inward-growing branches, and aim to keep the canopy balanced by cutting back vigorous shoots by about one-third. Each year, focus on thinning rather than heavy cutting to encourage new fruiting wood and a healthy, productive structure.

When and how should I thin apricots for a better harvest?

Thinning apricots is best done about 4 to 6 weeks after bloom, once the fruit has reached roughly the size of a marble. Remove excess fruitlets so the remaining apricots are spaced about 2 to 3 inches apart along each branch. This prevents branch breakage under heavy crop weight and allows the tree to channel its energy into producing larger, sweeter fruit. Start thinning from the center of each cluster outward, removing the smallest and most damaged fruitlets first.

Why is my apricot tree not flowering or producing fruit?

Apricot trees typically need 2 to 5 years after planting before they begin flowering and producing fruit, so patience is often the first requirement. Most apricot varieties require a specific number of chill hours, generally between 700 and 1,000 hours below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, and insufficient winter cold in warmer zones can prevent blooming. Late spring frosts are another common culprit, as apricot trees bloom early and those delicate blossoms are highly vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Check that your tree is planted in full sun, receiving at least 6 to 8 hours of direct light daily, and confirm that your selected variety is well matched to your USDA hardiness zone for reliable annual fruiting.

How do I protect apricot blossoms and developing fruit from late spring frost?

Apricot trees bloom early in spring, which makes them especially vulnerable to late frosts that can damage or destroy developing blossoms and young fruit. When frost is forecast, cover your tree with a frost blanket or old bedsheets overnight, and consider running a sprinkler over smaller trees since a thin layer of ice can actually insulate blossoms from temperatures as low as 28°F. Gardeners in zones 5 and 6 should pay close attention to overnight lows from late February through April, as this is the highest-risk window. Plant your apricot in a north-facing or sheltered location to naturally delay bloom time, and keep a frost cloth on hand so you can act quickly when temperatures are expected to drop.

How can I tell when apricots are ripe and ready to harvest?

Apricots are typically ready to harvest in midsummer, usually between June and August depending on your climate and variety. A ripe apricot will shift from greenish-yellow to a deep golden-orange color, feel slightly soft when gently squeezed, and detach easily from the branch with a light twist. Avoid picking them too early, as apricots do not continue to ripen significantly once removed from the tree. Check your trees daily once the color starts developing, and harvest promptly to enjoy them at peak sweetness.

How do I care for an apricot tree through each season to keep it healthy and productive?

Apricot trees thrive in USDA zones 5 through 8 and require season-specific care to stay productive. In late winter or early spring before buds break, prune dead or crossing branches to open the canopy and improve air circulation. Through the growing season, water deeply once or twice a week during dry spells and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to support fruit development. After harvest in summer, clean up any fallen fruit to prevent disease, and mulch around the base with 2 to 3 inches of organic material to protect roots heading into winter.

Apricots Are Underrated (And Here’s Why)