Heirloom

Bartlett Pear

Pyrus communis 'Bartlett'

America's most popular pear variety, known for its classic bell shape and incredibly juicy, buttery flesh that melts in your mouth. Also called Williams pear in Europe, Bartlett transforms from green to golden yellow when ripe and fills the air with an intoxicating sweet fragrance. This reliable producer has been the standard for fresh eating and canning for over 200 years.

Harvest

130-160d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

PY-russ kom-MYOO-nis

☀️

Zones

4–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

40-50 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Bartlett Pear in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Bartlett Pear · Zones 4–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing12-15 feet (dwarf), 20-25 feet (standard)

SoilDeep, well-drained loamy soil with good organic matter

pH6.0-7.0

WaterHigh — consistent moisture needed

SeasonSpring and Summer

FlavorSweet, juicy, and aromatic with buttery, melting texture

ColorGreen ripening to golden yellow, sometimes with red blush

Size3-4 inches long, 6-8 oz

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	September – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: PY-russ kom-MYOO-nis. Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry. Height: 40 ft. 0 in. - 50 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 25 ft. 0 in. - 35 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12-24 feet. Maintenance: High. Propagation: Grafting, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Variable fruit sizes, shapes, and colors. Teardrop shapes are most commonly known.

Color: Brown/Copper, Gold/Yellow, Green, Red/Burgundy. Type: Pome. Length: > 3 inches. Width: > 3 inches.

Garden value: Edible, Fragrant

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits edible raw, cooked, or dried. Sweet and fragrant.

Storage & Preservation

Freshly harvested Bartlett pears should ripen at room temperature for 7-10 days until they yield to gentle pressure at the neck and develop their signature golden color and sweet fragrance. Once ripe, refrigerate immediately at 32-35°F with high humidity to maintain quality for up to one week.

For longer storage, keep unripe pears in perforated plastic bags in the refrigerator, checking weekly and removing any that show ripening signs. Bartlett pears excel in preservation—their high pectin content makes them ideal for canning whole, as sauce, or in preserves. The classic buttery texture holds beautifully when poached in wine or sugar syrup.

For freezing, peel and core ripe pears, slice into pieces, and treat with ascorbic acid to prevent browning. Frozen Bartlett works excellently in baked goods and smoothies, though the texture becomes softer. Dehydrated Bartlett pear chips make excellent snacks, though the high moisture content requires longer drying times than firmer varieties.

History & Origin

Origin: Europe to N. Iraq

Advantages

+Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators, Songbirds
+Edible: Fruits edible raw, cooked, or dried. Sweet and fragrant.

Considerations

-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters codling moths

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and various pests while attracting beneficial insects

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides living mulch to retain moisture

Lavender

Attracts pollinators and repels moths and other flying pests

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and predatory insects that control pear pests

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent fire blight and other diseases

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone which is toxic to pear trees and inhibits growth

Juniper

Alternate host for cedar-apple rust which can spread to pear trees

Fennel

Allelopathic effects inhibit growth of fruit trees and most garden plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

57kcal(3%)

Protein

0.36g(1%)

Fiber

3.1g(11%)

Carbs

15.2g(6%)

Fat

0.14g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.3mg(5%)

Vitamin A

1mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

4.4mcg(4%)

Iron

0.18mg(1%)

Calcium

9mg(1%)

Potassium

116mg(2%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169118)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Susceptible to fire blight and pear scab

Common Pests

Codling moth, pear psylla, aphids, scale insects

Diseases

Fire blight, pear scab, leaf spot, brown rot

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Bartlett pear take to produce fruit?▼

Grafted Bartlett pear trees typically begin producing fruit 3-5 years after planting, with full production reached by year 7-10. Dwarf rootstock varieties may fruit 1-2 years earlier but with smaller overall yields. Trees grown from seed take 8-12 years to bear fruit and won't produce true-to-type Bartlett pears.

Can you grow Bartlett pears in containers?▼

Yes, Bartlett pears can be grown in large containers (minimum 20-25 gallons) using dwarf rootstock varieties. Choose a container with excellent drainage, use quality potting mix, and ensure you have space for a compatible pollinator nearby. Container trees require more frequent watering and annual repotting or root pruning to maintain health.

What pear varieties pollinate Bartlett pears?▼

Bartlett pears are pollinated by other European pear varieties that bloom simultaneously, including Anjou, Bosc, Comice, and Seckel. Plant pollinators within 50 feet for best results. Asian pear varieties like 20th Century are not compatible pollinators despite overlapping bloom times due to genetic differences.

When should I plant Bartlett pear trees?▼

Plant Bartlett pear trees in early spring after the last frost date when soil is workable but before buds break. In mild winter areas (zones 7-9), fall planting 6-8 weeks before hard frost allows root establishment before spring growth. Avoid planting during summer heat or when soil is frozen or waterlogged.

Why are my Bartlett pears gritty and tasteless?▼

Gritty, flavorless Bartlett pears result from leaving fruit on the tree too long. Bartlett must be harvested while still firm and green, then ripened indoors at room temperature. Tree-ripened pears develop stone cells that create the unpleasant gritty texture and never develop proper flavor or the variety's signature buttery consistency.

Are Bartlett pears good for beginners?▼

Bartlett pears are moderately challenging for beginners due to their fire blight susceptibility and specific harvest timing requirements. However, they're forgiving once established and provide clear visual cues for harvest readiness. Success depends on proper site selection, choosing disease-resistant rootstock, and learning basic pruning techniques for air circulation.