Almond Prunus dulcis
Almond (Prunus dulcis) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family, native to Western and Central Asia (Iran to Pakistan). It grows 4–7 m (13–23 ft) tall and 4–6 m (13–20 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -18 °C (0 °F). Space plants about 5.5 m (18 ft) apart.
Plan Almond in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Almond at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 4–7 m (13–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–6 m (13–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 5.5 m (18 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -18 °C (0 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 6) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: kernels (sweet types) |
| Native to | Western and Central Asia (Iran to Pakistan) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇫🇷 France, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇷 Iran |
Is Almond toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: bitter kernels, leaves
Bitter almonds and ornamental forms contain amygdalin that releases cyanide; sweet culinary kernels are safe.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Almond
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Shared pests and diseases
- Brown rot: Monilinia brown rot moves between cherries, plums, peaches and apricots. Evidence B
- Xylella fastidiosa: Insect-spread bacterium (EU quarantine pest) hitting olive, lavender, rosemary, oleander, Prunus and citrus. Evidence B
- Verticillium wilt: Verticillium lives in soil for years; hosts planted together or in sequence build it up. Evidence B
Questions about Almond
- How far apart should I plant Almond?
- About 5.5 m (18 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–6 m (13–20 ft).
- Does Almond need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Almond need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Almond?
- It tolerates about -18 °C (0 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 6.
- When does Almond flower?
- From about March for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Almond poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Bitter almonds and ornamental forms contain amygdalin that releases cyanide; sweet culinary kernels are safe.
- What grows well with Almond?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
- UC IPM degree-day models and pest notes, University of California
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Most cultivars are self-incompatible and need a pollination partner; blossoms are frost-tender so it crops best in dry-summer mild-winter areas; chill about 200-700 hours.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata