Quince Cydonia oblonga
Quince (Cydonia oblonga) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family, native to Caucasus, Iran and Turkey. It grows 3–5 m (10–16 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Quince in your garden →
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Quince at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: cooked fruit |
| Native to | Caucasus, Iran and Turkey |
| Common in gardens of | 🇫🇷 France, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Quince toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, leaves
Seeds contain amygdalin and raw fruit is very astringent; cooked 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 Quince
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 Creeping juniper: Cedar-quince rust (Gymnosporangium clavipes) alternates between junipers and quince, hawthorn and related pome fruit, causing fruit and shoot lesions. Evidence B
- caution With Pear: Pear and quince are both highly susceptible to fire blight, and quince is commonly used as a pear rootstock, so the bacteria can pass between them. 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
Questions about Quince
- How far apart should I plant Quince?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Quince need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Quince need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Quince?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Quince flower?
- From about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Quince poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Seeds contain amygdalin and raw fruit is very astringent; cooked flesh is safe.
- What grows well with Quince?
- 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).
- 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
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
Notes and assumptions
- Self-fertile; chill need is low to moderate (about 300-500 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