Growing a cherry tree from a pit is possible, but the process requires specific preparation and time. The pit contains the true seed, which has a natural defense mechanism preventing premature sprouting. Successfully growing a cherry tree from a pit is a long-term experiment, not a reliable method for fruit production, as the resulting tree will likely not produce the same type of fruit as the original.
Preparing the Cherry Pit for Planting
After eating the fruit, thoroughly clean the pit by removing all traces of sugary pulp. Remaining flesh encourages mold and fungus growth, which can destroy the seed before it germinates. Once washed, allow the pits to air-dry for several days in a warm area away from direct sunlight.
The next step is to break the seed’s natural dormancy through cold stratification. This process mimics the natural chilling the pit experiences buried in the ground over winter. Cherry pits require this extended period of cold and moisture before they will germinate.
To perform artificial cold stratification, place the cleaned pits in a container with a moist medium, such as peat moss, sand, or a damp paper towel. Seal this mixture in a plastic bag and store it in a refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks. The cool temperature, ideally between 33 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit, provides the necessary chilling period to break dormancy.
An optional technique is to gently crack the hard outer shell before stratification to allow moisture to reach the inner seed more easily. Take extreme care not to damage the delicate seed inside, which contains the developing plant embryo. Check the pits weekly, ensuring the medium remains damp but not waterlogged, which encourages mold growth.
Sowing the Seed and Initial Care
Once the 10 to 12 week stratification period is complete, the pits are ready for planting. This timing aligns with late winter or early spring, ideal for starting seeds indoors before transplanting outside. Alternatively, pits can be planted directly outdoors in the fall, allowing nature to provide cold stratification. However, direct outdoor planting often results in a lower success rate due to potential predation.
For indoor planting, use small pots filled with a well-draining potting mix. Plant the pits shallowly, typically one-half to one inch deep. Place the pots in a sunny location, such as a south-facing window, and keep the soil consistently moist but never saturated to prevent rotting. Germination is variable, sometimes taking a few weeks to a full year for the seedling to emerge.
Once seedlings appear, they require full sun for robust early growth. Consistent moisture is necessary, but the soil must drain well to prevent root problems. When the small trees reach 6 to 12 inches in height, gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions through a process called “hardening off.” Transplant them to their final location after the last frost.
Understanding the Results of Seed Propagation
The primary difference between growing a cherry tree from a pit and purchasing a nursery tree lies in the tree’s genetic makeup. Cherry pits are heterozygous, containing a mix of genetic material from two different parent trees due to cross-pollination. Consequently, the resulting tree will not be a genetic duplicate and is unlikely to produce fruit that is “true-to-type,” meaning it may not match the size, flavor, or quality of the original cherry.
This genetic unpredictability means a pit from a sweet, commercially grown cherry, such as a ‘Bing’ or ‘Rainier,’ may yield a tree that produces sour, small, or inedible fruit. The uncertainty of fruit quality is why commercial orchards rely on grafting, a technique that attaches a cutting of a known variety onto a hardy rootstock. Grafting guarantees the fruit type and ensures the tree reaches maturity faster.
A cherry tree grown directly from seed also requires a significant time commitment before it produces fruit. While grafted trees often begin fruiting within three to five years, a seed-grown tree can take 7 to 10 years, or longer, to reach reproductive maturity.
For these reasons, growing a cherry tree from a pit is best approached as an educational project rather than a viable way to establish an orchard for reliable fruit production. The seed-grown tree may also serve as a suitable rootstock onto which a known cherry variety can be grafted in the future.