Growing Apple Trees in Florida

Northeast Florida gardeners looking to grow apple trees should consider low chill hour varieties, which are specially bred to thrive in warmer climates with mild winters. Unlike traditional apple trees that require long periods of cold weather to produce fruit, low chill varieties such as ‘Anna’, ‘Dorsett Golden’, and ‘Tropic Sweet’ need fewer than 400 chill hours, making them ideal for the region. These apples are not only well-suited to the local environment but also offer delicious fruit in late spring to early summer. Planting these varieties ensures a successful harvest and a beautiful addition to any nursery or home orchard in Northeast Florida.

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

Tree Care Guide

Fuji Apple Tree

Fuji Apple

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

  • Chill hours: ~350–450 (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

Tree Care Guide

Gala Apple Tree

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: ~350–450
  • 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

Tree Care Guide

Golden Dorsett Apple Tree

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

Tree Care Guide

Granny Smith Apple Tree

Granny Smith Apple

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

  • Chill hours: ~300–400
  • 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

Tree Care Guide

Liberty Apple Tree

Liberty Apple

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

  • Chill hours: ~400
  • 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

Tree Care Guide

Pink Lady Apple Tree

Pink Lady Apple

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

  • Chill hours:400 - 500 chill hours
  • 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

Tree Care Guide