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Home and Garden
Gardening
Planting and Growing
Growing Fruit
How to Start a Peach Tree from a Pit Download Article Reviewed by Ben Barkan
Last Updated: October 27, 2025 Fact Checked
Download Article
Preparing a Peach Pit
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Germinating the Seed
|
Transplanting Your Peach Tree
|
Video
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Q&A
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Tips
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Warnings
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This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 284,010 times.
Growing your own peaches can be a delicious project for any gardener. The first thing you have to do is choose a peach pit that will germinate and produce a tree suitable for your area. Next, you have to clean the pit (ideally even remove it from the seed). Once your pit is clean, it is ready to germinate and then transplant. Though it may take 3-5 years for your tree to produce fruit, if you are a true peach lover, you can find great reward in growing your own delicious peaches.
Growing a Peach Tree from a Pit: Overview
Steps
Part 1 Part 1 of 3:
Preparing a Peach Pit
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1 Select a variety. The first thing to do when selecting a good peach to grow is to look at what varieties have the characteristics you want. This can include the taste of the peach, as well as characteristics like type of skin and fruit size. Just keep in mind that each variety has its strengths and weaknesses while growing.[1]X Trustworthy Source Virginia Cooperation ExtensionPublications and Educational resources from Virginia Tech and Virginia State University Go to source
The most common variety is the 'Redhaven.'
Try to use a locally grown variety so you know the tree will be able to survive in your climate.
When you're choosing a variety, keep in mind that a seed taken from a peach won't produce fruit with identical characteristics to the original peach.
2 Account for growing region. Another factor in making a wise selection is where you will be growing your peaches. In the United States growing regions are broken up by the USDA into zones (this differs in other countries). Peaches typically grow in zones 5, 6, 7, and 8. You can also grow some varieties in zones 4, 9, and 10. Each zone has a variety the does particularly well:[2]XResearch source
Zone 4 - Hale
Zone 5 - Madison
Zone 6 - Saturn
Zone 7 - Contender
Zone 8 - Frost
Zone 9 - Topaz
Zone 10 - Florida Beauty
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3 Remove all flesh from the pit. Once you select a type of peach, you need to separate the pit from the rest of the peach. You are off to a good start if you eat away the peach around the pit. Next, take a brush or rag and scrub off any remaining fruit. This will give you a nice, clean pit to start with.
4 Wash the pit. Use warm water and soap to wash away any residual traces of fruit. This will ensure that your pit does not attract pests. It also helps protect the pit from microbial growth.
5 Dry the pit. Pat the pit dry with a cloth or paper towel. Leave it sit overnight to finish drying. Inspect the pit to make sure that it is dry before proceeding. Too much water can cause the pit to rot.[3]XResearch source
6 Peel away the outer layer, if possible. You can save yourself time and make the growing process easier if you remove the entire pit. The pit is the hard outer layer that protects the seed within it. Sometimes the pit will be split and you can separate it without damaging the seed. If the pit isn't separated or you think you'll damage the seed trying to remove it, just leave the pit in place.[4]XResearch source
You can use a knife or other slim object to pry the pit apart where it has begun separating.
Handle the seeds with caution. They contain cyanide, which is toxic to humans and animals when ingested. Wear gloves and wash your hands when handling the seeds, and keep them away from children and pets.
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Germinating the Seed
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1 Place each pit into a plastic bag. It is wise to plant more than one pit at a time. Many of them may not survive past their first year, or even grow at all. Each pit that you have selected should be placed in its own plastic bag.
2 Keep the pits cold. Stratification is the process of chilling the pit so that it will begin germinating. This process mimics the winter months and signals to the seed when to grow. To stratify the pits, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in the cold for 8 weeks. You can do this outside if you live in a cold climate, or you can store them in your refrigerator for 8 weeks.[5]X Trustworthy Source Penn State ExtensionEducational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
3 Pot the sprouts. Once the pits begin to sprout, remove them from the bags. Place each pit four inches below the surface of a one gallon pot of soil. Make sure to use a high nutrient blend such as soil based potting mix.[6]XResearch source
Advertisement Part 3 Part 3 of 3:
Transplanting Your Peach Tree
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1 Protect young trees from frost. Do not place any peach trees outside when there is a risk of frost. These trees typically do not survive a frost in the first year. Once the risk of frost is over, you can begin preparing the potted trees for transplant.[7]XResearch source
2 Harden the trees. To harden the trees, let them spend time outside each day. Gradually increase the time that they spend outside to allow them to develop a resistance to the effects of weather and pests. Start by placing them outside for one hour per day, and increase each day until they are staying outside all day.[8]X Trustworthy Source Penn State ExtensionEducational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source
It may take a few weeks to appropriately harden your peach trees.
Don't leave the trees outside overnight during the hardening process.
3 Plant the trees in your garden. After your trees have been hardened, it is time to plant your peach tree. Choose a suitable place in your garden and plant the two strongest trees. If you have space, you can plant more. If your space is limited, you can give any extra trees away.[9]X Trustworthy Source Royal Horticultural SocietyLeading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants Go to source
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Community Q&A
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Question When placing a peach pit into a plastic bag, do I seal the bag or leave it open? Also, do I add any water to the bag? Community Answer Do not put any water in the bag, and you should seal it, the same as starting seeds indoors in a small covered pot. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 68
Question Will the tree bear fruit, or does it need grafting? Community Answer This depends on the type of soil, the nutrient composition and location with enough sunlight. When there are insufficient nutrients that the tree needs, the tree will not produce good, healthy fruits. If this is the case, you can apply the grafts or change locations. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 36
Question How can I tell if a seed inside the shell is OK to plant in soil? Community Answer There are two easy methods to determine whether a seed won't grow. If you can crush the shell between 2 fingers, it's bad. If it sinks after a 24-hour pre-soak, it's bad. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 14 Helpful 65
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Tips
As it grows, you will need to prune your peach tree.[10]X Trustworthy Source Penn State ExtensionEducational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses, and communities Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Warnings
Peach seeds are highly toxic since they contain cyanide.[11]X Trustworthy Source U.S. National Capital Poison CenterIndependent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives Go to source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Professional Gardener This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 284,010 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 5Updated: October 27, 2025 Views: 284,010 Categories: Growing FruitArticle SummaryX
To start a peach tree from a pit, you'll need to germinate the pit in the fridge and then plant it in a pot. Use a pit that comes from a peach variety that grows well in your area. Once you have a pit, store it in the fridge in a plastic bag for 8 weeks until it germinates. Then, you can plant it in a pot. After the last frost of the year, you can transplant your peach tree into the ground outdoors. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to harden your peach tree before moving it outside, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Anonymous
Nov 20, 2019
"I followed the instructions and planted 32 seeds. On 11/20/19, I removed 27 seeds with sprouts from 1/2 to 1 inch. I set them to dry, then I will transfer to pots. Your instructions were great!"..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Professional Gardener Co-authors: 5Updated: October 27, 2025 Views: 284,010100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
Anonymous
Nov 20, 2019
"I followed the instructions and planted 32 seeds. On 11/20/19, I removed 27 seeds with sprouts from 1/2 to 1 inch. I set them to dry, then I will transfer to pots. Your instructions were great!"..." more
Ken Smith
Dec 15, 2017
"This has taught me how to germinate a pip, as I have been doing it all wrong and without any success. Thanks, I will now do it the proper way."..." more
Darlene Milkowski
Aug 29, 2018
"I had no clue how to even start a peach tree from a pit. This gave me step-by-step directions! "
Beverly Mane
Feb 26, 2020
"Just getting started and didn't know where to begin. This has a lot of useful information. "
Anonymous
Aug 17, 2024
"It provided detailed information on what is needed to grow a fruit tree." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Reviewed by: Ben Barkan Professional Gardener This article was reviewed by Ben Barkan. Ben Barkan is a Garden and Landscape Designer and the Owner and Founder of HomeHarvest LLC, an edible landscapes and construction business based in Boston, Massachusetts. Ben has over 12 years of experience working with organic gardening and specializes in designing and building beautiful landscapes with custom construction and creative plant integration. He is a Certified Permaculture Designer, Licensed Construction Supervisor in Massachusetts, and a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor. He holds an associates degree in Sustainable Agriculture from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. This article has been viewed 284,010 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 5 Updated: October 27, 2025 Views: 284,010 Categories: Growing Fruit Article SummaryX
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1 Select a variety. The first thing to do when selecting a good peach to grow is to look at what varieties have the characteristics you want. This can include the taste of the peach, as well as characteristics like type of skin and fruit size. Just keep in mind that each variety has its strengths and weaknesses while growing.[1] 
2 Account for growing region. Another factor in making a wise selection is where you will be growing your peaches. In the United States growing regions are broken up by the USDA into zones (this differs in other countries). Peaches typically grow in zones 5, 6, 7, and 8. You can also grow some varieties in zones 4, 9, and 10. Each zone has a variety the does particularly well:[2] 
3 Remove all flesh from the pit. Once you select a type of peach, you need to separate the pit from the rest of the peach. You are off to a good start if you eat away the peach around the pit. Next, take a brush or rag and scrub off any remaining fruit. This will give you a nice, clean pit to start with. 
4 Wash the pit. Use warm water and soap to wash away any residual traces of fruit. This will ensure that your pit does not attract pests. It also helps protect the pit from microbial growth. 
5 Dry the pit. Pat the pit dry with a cloth or paper towel. Leave it sit overnight to finish drying. Inspect the pit to make sure that it is dry before proceeding. Too much water can cause the pit to rot.[3] 
6 Peel away the outer layer, if possible. You can save yourself time and make the growing process easier if you remove the entire pit. The pit is the hard outer layer that protects the seed within it. Sometimes the pit will be split and you can separate it without damaging the seed. If the pit isn't separated or you think you'll damage the seed trying to remove it, just leave the pit in place.[4] 
1 Place each pit into a plastic bag. It is wise to plant more than one pit at a time. Many of them may not survive past their first year, or even grow at all. Each pit that you have selected should be placed in its own plastic bag. 
2 Keep the pits cold. Stratification is the process of chilling the pit so that it will begin germinating. This process mimics the winter months and signals to the seed when to grow. To stratify the pits, wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in the cold for 8 weeks. You can do this outside if you live in a cold climate, or you can store them in your refrigerator for 8 weeks.[5] 
3 Pot the sprouts. Once the pits begin to sprout, remove them from the bags. Place each pit four inches below the surface of a one gallon pot of soil. Make sure to use a high nutrient blend such as soil based potting mix.[6] Advertisement 
1 Protect young trees from frost. Do not place any peach trees outside when there is a risk of frost. These trees typically do not survive a frost in the first year. Once the risk of frost is over, you can begin preparing the potted trees for transplant.[7] 
2 Harden the trees. To harden the trees, let them spend time outside each day. Gradually increase the time that they spend outside to allow them to develop a resistance to the effects of weather and pests. Start by placing them outside for one hour per day, and increase each day until they are staying outside all day.[8] 
3 Plant the trees in your garden. After your trees have been hardened, it is time to plant your peach tree. Choose a suitable place in your garden and plant the two strongest trees. If you have space, you can plant more. If your space is limited, you can give any extra trees away.[9] Advertisement 
Community Answer Do not put any water in the bag, and you should seal it, the same as starting seeds indoors in a small covered pot. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 68 
Community Answer This depends on the type of soil, the nutrient composition and location with enough sunlight. When there are insufficient nutrients that the tree needs, the tree will not produce good, healthy fruits. If this is the case, you can apply the grafts or change locations. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 16 Helpful 36