Free Guide to Growing Cherry Trees From Seed

Understanding Cherry Tree Basics and Seed Selection

Growing cherry trees from seed is a rewarding gardening project that starts with understanding what you're working with. Cherry seeds come from two main types of cherry trees: sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and sour or tart cherries (Prunus cerasus). Sweet cherries are the kind you find in grocery stores and farmers markets—larger, sweeter, and typically eaten fresh. Sour cherries are smaller, more acidic, and commonly used for baking, jams, and preserves.

Learn About Oregon Fishing License Costs and Fees →

When you save seeds from cherries you've eaten, you're starting with genetic material that has real potential. However, it's important to know that seeds from hybrid cherry varieties may not produce trees that grow identically to the parent tree. If you eat a commercially grown sweet cherry and save its seed, the resulting tree might produce cherries that taste different or look slightly different from the original fruit. This is because many commercial cherry varieties are hybrids created by crossing different parent plants.

To select seeds for planting, choose fresh cherries in season—typically June through August in North America, depending on your region. Remove the flesh completely and rinse the seed (the hard pit) thoroughly under running water. Look for seeds that are large, unblemished, and firm. Discard any seeds with cracks, soft spots, or visible damage, as these are less likely to germinate successfully.

The seed viability varies by cherry type. Sweet cherry seeds have germination rates around 40-60% under ideal conditions, while sour cherry seeds may germinate at slightly lower rates. This means that if you plant 10 seeds, you might realistically expect 4-6 seedlings to emerge, depending on how well you follow proper germination procedures.

Practical Takeaway: Collect seeds from healthy, ripe cherries during harvest season. Clean them thoroughly, inspect for damage, and understand that your homegrown tree may produce fruit that differs from the original cherry you harvested from.

The Cold Stratification Process That Seeds Require

Cherry seeds need a period of cold, moist conditions before they will sprout. This natural process is called stratification, and it mimics what happens in nature when seeds fall to the ground in autumn and experience winter cold. Without this cold period, cherry seeds will remain dormant and won't germinate, no matter how warm or wet you keep them.

Get Your Free Stinging Nettle Arthritis Information Guide →

The stratification period for cherry seeds typically lasts 8-16 weeks, with 12 weeks being a common target timeframe. During this time, the seed's internal chemistry changes in ways that prepare it to grow. The cold and moisture soften the hard seed coat slightly and trigger chemical changes in the embryo inside the seed that signal it's time to wake up and grow.

To stratify cherry seeds at home, you'll need a few basic materials: a container (a plastic bag or small jar works fine), moist sand or potting soil, and refrigerator space. Layer about 2 inches of moist (but not waterlogged) sand or seed-starting mix in your container. Place your cherry seeds on top, then cover them with another 2 inches of the moist medium. Seal the container loosely—you want some air circulation but not so much that it dries out. Place this in your refrigerator at temperatures between 33-41°F (1-5°C).

Check your seeds every 2-3 weeks during stratification. The medium should remain moist like a wrung-out sponge—damp enough to stick together slightly but not wet enough to drip. If it's drying out, mist it lightly with water. If it's too wet, you risk mold or fungal growth. After 12 weeks, examine the seeds. You may see tiny roots beginning to emerge from some seeds—this signals they're ready to plant in soil.

Practical Takeaway: Plan for a 12-week cold stratification period by mixing seeds with moist sand or soil in a sealed container and refrigerating them. Check periodically to maintain moisture and watch for root emergence.

Planting Stratified Seeds and Initial Care

Once your seeds have completed stratification and you see small white roots emerging, they're ready to plant. This typically happens in late winter or very early spring if you started stratification in the fall. Planting at this time allows your seedlings to grow through the warm season when sunlight is strong and natural day length is increasing.

Free Guide to State Parks Fishing Opportunities →

Prepare a planting container with good drainage. A 4-6 inch pot works well for individual seeds, or you can use a seed tray if you're starting multiple seeds. Fill the container with a seed-starting mix or a mixture of equal parts peat moss and perlite. This type of soil drains well and won't compact as your seedling grows. Water the soil thoroughly before planting so it's evenly moist throughout.

Plant the seed about 1 inch deep—roughly twice as deep as the seed's width. If the root is already emerging, plant it root-side down. Gently firm the soil over the seed, but don't pack it down hard. The soil should hold the seed in place while still allowing the seedling to push through easily. Water gently with a spray bottle or fine mist to avoid displacing the seed.

Place your planted seeds in a warm location. Cherry seedlings germinate best at soil temperatures between 68-75°F (20-24°C). A south-facing windowsill works well, or you can use a heat mat under your seed trays. Germination typically occurs within 2-4 weeks, though some seeds may take longer. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged—moist like that wrung-out sponge again.

Once seedlings emerge and develop their first true leaves (the second set of leaves that appear after the initial seed leaves), they'll need strong light. Place them in a bright window or under grow lights positioned 2-3 inches above the seedling tops. Without adequate light, seedlings become leggy and weak. Rotate your containers daily to promote even growth.

Practical Takeaway: Plant stratified seeds in well-draining soil mix, maintain warm soil temperatures, keep soil consistently moist, and provide strong light once seedlings emerge.

Transplanting and Growing Your Cherry Seedlings

Your cherry seedlings will remain in their initial containers for several months as they develop true leaves and stronger root systems. Around the time they're 3-4 inches tall and have developed several sets of true leaves, they'll be ready for their first transplant to larger containers. This typically occurs 8-12 weeks after germination.

Get Your Free Carpet Stain Removal Guide →

Choose a container that's about 2 inches larger in diameter than the seedling's current pot. Fill it with a quality potting soil mix that contains nutrients—now that the seedling is past its initial stage, it can benefit from soil with more organic matter than pure seed-starting mix. Gently remove the seedling from its original pot by loosening the soil around it and tipping it out carefully. Handle the seedling by its leaves or soil, never by the fragile stem.

Create a hole in the new pot's soil and place the seedling at the same depth it was previously planted—you don't want to bury the stem deeper or expose the roots. Fill in around the seedling with soil and water well. The goal is to keep the seedling at the same level to avoid problems with rot or stress.

As your seedlings grow through spring and summer, they'll develop stronger stems and more leaves. Continue providing bright light, whether from a sunny window or grow lights. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry—overwatering is a common problem that leads to fungal diseases. A fan circulating air around your seedlings strengthens their stems and prevents fungal issues.

Feed your seedlings once a month during the growing season with a balanced, diluted fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 mix diluted to half strength). This provides nutrients the potting soil may be lacking. By late spring or early summer, your seedlings should be 12-18 inches tall and developing thicker, woody stems.

Practical Takeaway: Transplant seedlings when they're 3-4 inches tall into larger containers with nutrient-rich potting soil. Maintain strong light, moderate watering, good air circulation, and monthly feeding throughout the growing season.