When seeking apple seeds for planting, intentional sourcing is required to ensure viability and genetic identity. Apple seeds are not a standard commodity. Sourcing depends heavily on whether your goal is to grow a specific, named variety or simply to experiment. The right source involves recognizing the difference between specialized horticultural businesses and common retail channels.
Specialized Nurseries and Certified Retailers
Horticultural catalogs and specialized online seed banks are the primary sources for apple seeds with a guaranteed varietal origin. These suppliers focus on providing seeds that are part of a broader fruit tree program, catering to serious gardeners and commercial growers. Companies specializing in fruit and nut trees may offer seeds for specific heritage or rootstock varieties of Malus domestica through mail-order.
The benefit of using certified retailers is the assurance of seed quality and lineage, relevant for breeding or growing specific rootstocks. While named apple varieties are typically propagated by grafting, some specialized companies sell seeds of known parentage for experimental purposes. These sources often provide certification, guaranteeing the seeds are organic or non-GMO. Seed exchanges and banks dedicated to preserving heirloom varieties serve as valuable sources for rare apple seed lines.
General Garden Centers and Bulk Suppliers
For those seeking apple seeds without a requirement for specific varietal identity, general garden centers and online marketplaces offer readily available options. Local hardware stores may stock generic apple seeds, often labeled simply as “Common Apple Tree” seeds. These seed packets are typically inexpensive and meant for casual planting rather than professional cultivation.
Large online retail platforms, such as Amazon or eBay, feature numerous listings for apple seeds, sometimes claiming varietal names. Caution is warranted when purchasing from these general online sources, as genetic purity and viability are rarely certified. Bulk food suppliers may sell dried apple seeds for consumption, but these are not stored for optimal germination. These sources are best utilized by users who are simply curious about growing an apple tree.
Understanding Seed Variability for Planting Success
The choice of where to buy apple seeds is linked to the unique biology of the apple. Apple trees are highly heterozygous, possessing significant genetic variation. This makes it unlikely for a seed to produce a tree identical to its parent. Nearly all commercially grown apple varieties are “clonal cultivars” and are propagated through grafting, which attaches a cutting onto a rootstock.
When an apple flower is cross-pollinated, the resulting seeds contain a random genetic combination from the mother tree and the pollen donor. This genetic mixing means a seed from a ‘Fuji’ apple will grow into a new, genetically unique apple, often with unpredictable fruit quality. Therefore, a grower who wants a specific, named apple variety must purchase a grafted tree, not a seed. Seeds from specialized sources are often intended for breeding programs or for growing rootstocks.