Siberian crab apple Malus baccata
Siberian crab apple (Malus baccata) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family, native to Siberia, northern China and the Russian Far East. It grows 6–10 m (20–33 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -43 °C (-45 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
Plan Siberian crab apple in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Siberian crab apple at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -43 °C (-45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 2) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit (cooked or in preserves) |
| Native to | Siberia, northern China and the Russian Far East |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Siberian crab apple toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, leaves
Seeds contain amygdalin and leaves can release cyanide if eaten in quantity; fruit flesh is 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 Siberian crab apple
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
Keep apart or take care
- avoid With Black walnut: Apple (Malus) is on extension juglone-sensitive lists; crab apples are in the same genus and are expected to be affected, though not named separately. Evidence C
- avoid With Creeping juniper: Cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae) alternates between junipers and Malus; crab apples are often heavily infected and spores can travel hundreds of metres. Evidence B
- caution With Dwarf apple tree: Crab apples and apples share fire blight, apple scab and cedar-apple rust, so a heavily infected crab apple can be a source for orchard trees. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
- Cedar-apple rust: The rust needs both a juniper and an apple-family host; spores travel hundreds of metres. Evidence B
See Siberian crab apple in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- China National Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (1 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (3 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (4 plants)
Questions about Siberian crab apple
- How far apart should I plant Siberian crab apple?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Siberian crab apple need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Siberian crab apple need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Siberian crab apple?
- It tolerates about -43 °C (-45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 2.
- When does Siberian crab apple flower?
- From about May for 1–2 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Siberian crab apple poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Seeds contain amygdalin and leaves can release cyanide if eaten in quantity; fruit flesh is safe.
- What grows well with Siberian crab apple?
- 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).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- APS compendia of plant diseases (host ranges, alternate hosts), American Phytopathological Society
Notes and assumptions
- Extremely hardy and used as a rootstock and pollinator for apples; small pea-sized fruit that persists on the tree; chill about 1000 hours (estimate).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata