Apple Trees

Yes you can grow apples in Florida, but it's crucial to choose low-chill varieties. Florida's warm winters mean apple trees don't get enough cold hours (below 45°F) to break dormancy naturally, which is essential for flowering and fruiting. Popular low-chill choices include Anna Apple, Golden Dorsett Apple, and Tropic Sweet Apple.

Anna Apple Tree

Anna Apple

Anna is a low-chill apple ideal for warm climates like Florida. It ripens early and produces crisp, sweet fruit with a flavor similar to ‘Red Delicious’.

  • Chill hours: ~200–300
  • Pollination: Cross-pollinates with ‘Dorsett Golden’ (also compatible with ‘TropicSweet’)
  • Ripening (FL): Late May–June
  • Uses: Fresh eating, salads, pies, sauce; good refrigerator keeping 6–8 weeks

Apple Care Guidelines

Fuji Apple

Fuji is firm, juicy, and very sweet—great for snacking and holds up well in baking.

  • Chill hours: ~400–450 (low-chill strains sometimes a bit less)
  • Pollination: Requires a compatible pollinator; examples: ‘Gala’, ‘Granny Smith’
  • Ripening (warm FL sites): ~June
  • Uses: Fresh eating, pies & crisps, dehydrating slices, lunchbox-friendly; stores well refrigerated

Apple Care Guidelines

Gala Apple

Gala is mildly sweet and crisp, excellent for fresh eating and salads. In warm climates, it can ripen earlier than in traditional apple regions.

  • Chill hours: ~400–450
  • Pollination: Requires a compatible pollinator; for example: ‘Fuji’, ‘Granny Smith’
  • Ripening (warm FL sites): ~June–July
  • Uses: Fresh eating, snack boxes, salads; holds texture in tarts and air-fryer chips

Apple Care Guidelines

Golden Dorsett Apple

Golden Dorsett is a tropical-friendly apple that bears early and abundantly with sweet, yellow fruit similar to ‘Golden Delicious’.

  • Chill hours: ~100–200
  • Pollination: Cross-pollinates with ‘Anna’ & ‘TropicSweet’ Apples
  • Ripening (FL): Late May–June
  • Uses: Fresh eating, desserts, salads; good short-term storage when refrigerated

Apple Care Guidelines

Granny Smith Apple

Granny Smith is tart, firm, and versatile. In warm climates it can color and sweeten late.

  • Chill hours: ~400–500
  • Pollination: Requires a compatible pollinator; examples: ‘Fuji’, ‘Gala’
  • Ripening (warm FL sites): ~July–August (later than Anna/Dorsett)
  • Uses: Baking (holds shape), pies & crisps, caramel apples, savory salads/slaws; keeps very well

Apple Care Guidelines

Liberty Apple

Liberty is disease-resistant with crisp, tangy flavor. Note: high chill; performance may be limited in much of Florida.

  • Chill hours: ~800
  • Pollination: Needs a compatible pollinator; examples: ‘William’s Pride’, ‘Dolgo’
  • Ripening (warm sites outside FL core low-chill zone): Late Sept–Oct
  • Uses: Fresh eating, pies, sauce, cider; good flavor balance when fully ripe

Apple Care Guidelines

Pink Lady Apple

Pink Lady is tart–sweet and very crisp. Note: it needs more chill than classic Florida low-chill types.

  • Chill hours: ~500–600 (some nurseries list ~400–500)
  • Pollination: Requires a compatible pollinator; examples: ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Fuji’ (confirm bloom overlap)
  • Ripening (warm sites): Late Sept–Oct
  • Uses: Fresh eating, charcuterie slices (slow to brown), pies & galettes, salads; keeps very well

Apple Care Guidelines