Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
Dwarf apple tree (Malus domestica) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family. It grows 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) tall and 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -30 °C (-22 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Dwarf apple tree at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -30 °C (-22 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 35 °C (95 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit flesh |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇨🇳 China, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Dwarf apple tree toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, leaves
Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides; only large quantities of crushed seeds are a concern.
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 Dwarf apple tree
Good neighbours
- good With Sunflower: Pollinator-attracting flowers can increase insect visits for insect-pollinated crops nearby; sunflower blooms after apple, so the benefit is mostly for bee populations. Evidence C
- 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: Black walnut releases juglone from roots, leaves and hulls, which is documented to injure or kill this sensitive species. Evidence B
- caution With English walnut: English walnut also produces juglone, usually in lower amounts than black walnut, so sensitive plants such as apple may do poorly under or near its canopy. Evidence C
- caution With Pear: Fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) infects both pear and apple, and bees carry it from blossom to blossom, so an outbreak in one can reach the other. Evidence B
- caution With Siberian crab apple: 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
- caution With Eastern red cedar: Cedar-apple rust alternates between eastern red cedar and apples or crabapples; planting them close together raises the chance of leaf spot and fruit lesions on apples. 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
See Dwarf apple tree in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (2 plants)
Questions about Dwarf apple tree
- How far apart should I plant Dwarf apple tree?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–3 m (6.6–10 ft).
- Does Dwarf apple tree need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Dwarf apple tree need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Dwarf apple tree?
- It tolerates about -30 °C (-22 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Dwarf apple tree flower?
- From about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Dwarf apple tree poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides; only large quantities of crushed seeds are a concern.
- What grows well with Dwarf apple tree?
- Pollinator-attracting flowers can increase insect visits for insect-pollinated crops nearby; sunflower blooms after apple, so the benefit is mostly for bee populations. Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Most cultivars need a compatible pollination partner.
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
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
- Pear Pyrus communis