How to Grow Royal Apricot
Royal Apricot
Prunus armeniaca 'Royal'
fruitRoyal Apricot is a self-fertile, mid-season apricot variety known for its large, flavorful golden-orange fruits with smooth skin and sweet, aromatic flesh. It produces abundant crops and is excellent for fresh eating, canning, and preserving. This is a medium-sized deciduous tree that blooms early in spring and requires adequate winter chilling hours.
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Example Royal Apricot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Royal Apricot
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Royal Apricot
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 5-9, with best performance in zones 6-8 where frost risk is moderate and chilling hours are adequate
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Dormancy (Winter)
December-FebruaryTree is leafless; requires 600-900 chilling hours below 45°F for proper flower bud development. Buds are visible but dormant on branches.
Prune during dormancy in late winter (February-March). Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Thin crowded wood to improve air circulation. Do not fertilize.
Bloom (Spring)
3-4 weeksSmall white to pale pink flowers appear on branches before leaves emerge, typically mid-March to early April depending on zone. Flowers are self-fertile but benefit from cross-pollination.
Protect from late frost with row covers if frost threatens after buds break. Encourage pollinator activity with early spring plantings. Do not spray pesticides during bloom.
Fruit Set & Growth (Late Spring to Early Summer)
8-10 weeksSmall green fruits develop following flower pollination. Leaves emerge and expand. Fruits grow rapidly from May through June. Natural fruit drop (June drop) occurs; remaining fruits should be thinned to 4-6 inches apart.
Thin fruits to one per cluster when marble-sized (mid-May) to promote larger fruit size and tree health. Apply balanced fertilizer in late May. Maintain consistent watering (1-2 inches weekly). Monitor for pests and diseases.
Fruit Maturation (Mid-Summer)
6-8 weeksFruits enlarge and change color from green to golden-orange. Tree is in full leaf. Fruits reach full size by mid-July to early August, with sugar content increasing as harvest approaches.
Continue consistent watering but reduce if fruits are developing well. Do not over-fertilize (can reduce sweetness). Monitor for brown rot and aphids. Net tree if birds are problematic. Stake younger trees if heavy fruit load bends branches.
Harvest (Mid to Late Summer)
2-4 weeksFruits fully ripen and soften slightly when gently squeezed. Color is deep golden-orange and fruits emit strong apricot aroma. Harvest window is typically mid-July through early August.
Harvest when fruits yield slightly to gentle pressure but are still firm enough to handle. Pick early morning when cool. Store in refrigerator (32-40°F) for 2-3 weeks or use immediately for fresh eating, preserving, or canning.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Pheromone traps for monitoring; targeted sprays of spinosad or pyrethrin at petal fall and 2-3 weeks later; good sanitation of fallen fruit
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Strong water spray to dislodge; insecticidal soap or neem oil in early spring; beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps provide natural control
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Remove and destroy infected fruit; improve air circulation through pruning; avoid overhead watering; fungicide sprays (sulfur, copper) before bloom and during wet springs
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Remove infected branches; improve drainage and air circulation; avoid pruning during wet weather; copper-based fungicides in early spring before bud break
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Avoid mechanical injury and sunscald; provide adequate drainage; prune infected branches and paint wounds; reduce stress through proper watering and care
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Increase humidity; strong water spray; insecticidal soap or miticide if populations high; encourage beneficial predatory mites
Uses
Fresh Eating & Desserts
CulinaryRoyal Apricots are exceptional for fresh eating due to their large size, sweet flavor, and smooth skin. They are ideal for jams, preserves, pies, cobblers, and other desserts, as well as fresh fruit salads and smoothies. [source]
Canning & Preserving
CulinaryTheir firm flesh and high pectin content make Royal Apricots excellent for canning, producing quality jams, preserves, and canned whole fruits. The flavor concentrates beautifully when processed. [source]
Nutritional & Antioxidant Benefits
MedicinalApricots are rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and polyphenol antioxidants that support eye health, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Both fresh and dried apricots provide concentrated nutritional value. [source]
Drying & Dried Fruit Production
HouseholdRoyal Apricots dry exceptionally well, concentrating their sweetness and creating a shelf-stable product. Home drying is straightforward using sun-drying, oven drying, or a food dehydrator. [source]
Wildlife Habitat & Food Source
WildlifeApricot trees provide early spring nectar and pollen for pollinators, and abundant summer fruit for birds and wildlife. The dense foliage offers shelter for beneficial insects and nesting birds. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Harvest when fruits yield slightly to gentle pressure but before becoming too soft, as overripe fruits do not ship or store well. Pick fruits individually by grasping and gently twisting, or place cloth under tree and shake branches for processing fruit. Harvest in early morning for best flavor and texture. Ripe fruits emit a strong, sweet apricot fragrance. For fresh eating, harvest when fully ripe and aromatic. For canning or preserving, harvest when just ripe to firm-ripe.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Royal Apricot is a self-fertile variety, meaning it can set fruit with its own pollen, but cross-pollination with other apricot varieties (such as Moorpark or Goldrich) increases yield and fruit size.
- 🌱 Apricot trees require significant chilling hours (600-900 hours below 45°F) during winter dormancy to break bud dormancy and flower properly—a genetic requirement that prevents them from growing in warm zones without sufficient winter cold.
- 🌱 A single mature Royal Apricot tree can produce 50-100 pounds of fruit in a good year, making it one of the most productive fruit trees for home gardeners when given proper care and pruning.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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