How to Grow Envy Apple
Wikimedia Commons
Envy Apple
Malus domestica 'Envy'
treeEnvy is a modern apple cultivar developed in New Zealand, known for its dark red coloring and crisp, sweet-tart flavor. It's a relatively new variety that combines excellent taste with good disease resistance and storage capability. The trees are vigorous and productive, making them popular for both commercial and home orchards.
When should you plant Envy Apple in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Envy Apple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Envy Apple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Envy Apple
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Envy Apple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 4b-8a; performs best in zones 5-7
Sign up free to see if Envy Apple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Envy Apple timeline →Growth Stages
Establishment
1-2 yearsYoung tree focuses on root and branch development; minimal fruiting expected.
Stake for support; remove flower buds first 1-2 years to encourage vegetative growth; water regularly; apply mulch; light pruning to shape.
Vegetative Growth
1-3 yearsTree develops strong scaffold branches and canopy structure; begins flowering after year 2-3.
Continue structural pruning; maintain consistent watering; fertilize with balanced formula; monitor for pests and diseases.
Flowering
2-3 weeksWhite to light pink blossoms appear in spring (April-May in Northern Hemisphere); Envy requires a compatible pollinator.
Ensure pollinator trees nearby (Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or other mid-season bloomers work well); thin excessive flower clusters; avoid frost damage with frost cloth if late freeze threatens.
Fruit Development & Thinning
4-6 weeks after bloomFruit sets and develops; proper thinning ensures larger, higher-quality apples.
Thin fruit to 1 apple every 6 inches of branch; remove misshaped or damaged fruit within 3-4 weeks of bloom; maintain consistent watering and balanced nutrition.
Ripening & Harvest
8-12 weeks from fruit set to harvestApples develop characteristic deep red color and crisp texture; mature in late September to October.
Monitor ripeness by color and firmness; harvest when apples separate easily from branch; store in cool conditions (32-40°F) for extended shelf life; avoid excessive handling to prevent bruising.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Pheromone traps; thinning fruit to reduce breeding habitat; dormant oil sprays in late winter; spinosad or neem oil during growing season if needed
-
Yellow sticky traps; sanitation (remove dropped fruit); spinosad applications timed to adult emergence
-
Sulfur or horticultural oil sprays; improved air circulation through pruning; resistant varieties preferred
-
Envy has good resistance; practice sanitation; lime-sulfur or fungicide sprays during wet spring weather if infection occurs
-
Dormant oil in winter; insecticidal soap; overhead watering to increase humidity; predatory mites
Uses
Fresh eating and salads
CulinaryEnvy apples are exceptionally crisp with a sweet-tart balance ideal for eating fresh. Their firm texture resists browning, making them excellent for salads and fruit platters. [source]
Cooking, baking, and cider
CulinaryThe balanced sugar-acid profile makes Envy suitable for baking (pies, crisps), sauce, and cider production. They hold their shape well when cooked. [source]
Nutritional and antioxidant benefits
MedicinalApples are rich in quercetin and other polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. The skin contains most of the beneficial compounds. [source]
Storage and preservation
HouseholdEnvy apples have excellent storage capability, lasting 4+ months in cool conditions. This makes them ideal for winter storage and preservation in jams or compotes. [source]
Pollinator and wildlife support
WildlifeApple blossoms provide valuable nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. Fallen fruit supports wildlife in late season. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Envy apples typically mature in late September through early October (Northern Hemisphere). Check ripeness by skin color (deep red/maroon) and slight softening when gently squeezed. Harvest by lifting and twisting gently—fruit should separate easily when ripe. Pick regularly to encourage continued production. Store at 32-40°F with 90% humidity for up to 4+ months. Handle carefully to avoid bruising.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Envy was bred in New Zealand in the 1980s and is a cross between Gala and Braeburn apples, combining the best traits of both parents.
- 🌱 The name 'Envy' refers to the deep crimson color that makes other apple varieties jealous, and the variety was specifically bred for its striking appearance and long storage life.
- 🌱 Unlike many modern apple varieties, Envy has better disease resistance than its parents, particularly to apple scab, requiring fewer fungicide treatments in most climates.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Envy Apple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Envy Apple seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.
Get my Envy Apple timeline →