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Fuji Apple

Malus domestica 'Fuji'

A Japanese apple variety beloved for its incredibly sweet, crisp flesh and exceptional storage life that can last months in proper conditions. These large, attractive apples with their red-striped yellow skin are perfect for fresh eating and maintain their crunch better than most varieties. Fuji trees are reliable producers that adapt well to various climates, making them ideal for home orchards.

Harvest

150-180d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun

☀️

Zones

4–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

15-30 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Fuji Apple in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Fuji Apple · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 6-8 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained loamy soil with good organic content

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, deep watering

SeasonSpring planting, fall harvest

FlavorVery sweet with mild tartness, exceptionally crisp and juicy

ColorRed-striped over yellow-green background

SizeLarge, 3-4 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	September – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	September – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	August – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	July – November
Zone 9	—	March – May	—	June – December

Complete Growing Guide

Soil: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Alkaline (>8.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 24-60 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: CrimsonCrisp®, 'Empire', 'Fuji', 'Gala', 'Ginger Gold', 'Golden Delicious', 'Jonagold', 'Mutsu', 'Red Delicious', 'Rome', 'Stayman'. Propagation: Grafting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Large, round, firm fruits that often have a waxy coating. Some varieties ripen late summer and some in the fall.

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

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Fall, Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruits can be eaten raw and cooked in a variety of dishes.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Fujis excel at long-term storage when handled properly. Store perfect, unblemished apples in perforated plastic bags in your refrigerator's crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity. Properly stored Fujis maintain their crisp texture and sweet flavor for 4-6 months, longer than most apple varieties.

For counter storage, keep apples in a cool, dark location and use within 2-3 weeks. Check stored apples weekly and remove any showing soft spots, as one bad apple truly spoils the bunch.

Fujis freeze exceptionally well when sliced – their slow browning characteristic makes prep easier. Blanch slices briefly or treat with lemon juice before freezing. They also make excellent applesauce and apple butter, though their sweetness means you'll need less added sugar than recipes typically call for. Their crisp texture holds up beautifully in pies and tarts even after freezing.

History & Origin

Origin: Central Asia to Afghanistan

Advantages

+Attracts: Pollinators, Small Mammals
+Edible: Fruits can be eaten raw and cooked in a variety of dishes.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids, improves tree health, and attracts beneficial insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring up nutrients, leaves make excellent mulch and compost

Nasturtiums

Trap crop for aphids and woolly aphids, repels ants and cucumber beetles

Marigolds

Repel nematodes and various pests, attract beneficial predatory insects

Dill

Attracts beneficial wasps and ladybugs that control apple pests

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil, attracts pollinators, acts as living mulch

Garlic

Repels aphids, borers, and other pests when planted around the drip line

Lavender

Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, repels moths and fleas

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that stunts growth and can kill apple trees

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of most plants including fruit trees

Pine Trees

Acidify soil excessively and compete for nutrients, can stunt apple growth

Nutrition Facts

Calories

25kcal(1%)

Protein

0.6g(1%)

Carbs

5.7g(2%)

Fat

0.3g(0%)

Vitamin C

22.3mg(25%)

Vitamin A

17mcg(2%)

Iron

0.07mg(0%)

Calcium

29mg(2%)

Potassium

123mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #168171)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate resistance to fire blight, susceptible to apple scab

Common Pests

Codling moth, apple maggot, aphids, scale insects

Diseases

Apple scab, fire blight, powdery mildew, cedar apple rust

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for Fuji apple trees to produce fruit?▼

Fuji apple trees typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting on dwarf rootstock, or 4-6 years on standard rootstock. You'll get a small harvest initially, with full production reached around year 6-8. Grafted trees from nurseries will fruit much sooner than attempting to grow from seed, which takes 8-10 years and won't produce true Fuji apples.

Do Fuji apple trees need another apple tree to pollinate?▼

Yes, Fuji apple trees require cross-pollination from another apple variety to produce fruit. Good pollinators include Gala, Granny Smith, Red Delicious, or Honeycrisp that bloom at the same time. The pollinating tree should be within 50 feet for best results. Crabapple trees also work as excellent pollinators for Fuji apples.

Can you grow Fuji apple trees in containers?▼

Fuji apple trees can be grown in large containers using dwarf rootstocks, but they need substantial pots at least 20-25 gallons in size. Use well-draining potting mix and be prepared for more intensive watering and fertilizing. Container-grown trees will produce smaller harvests and need protection from freezing temperatures. Choose self-fertile varieties or ensure you have pollination sources nearby.

What climate zones can grow Fuji apples?▼

Fuji apples grow best in USDA zones 5-9, requiring 200-400 chill hours below 45°F during winter dormancy. They need long growing seasons with warm summers to develop their characteristic sweetness. In zones 5-6, late spring frosts can damage blooms, while zones 9-10 may not provide adequate chill hours for proper fruit development.

When should I plant Fuji apple trees?▼

Plant Fuji apple trees in early spring after the last frost date when the soil is workable but before bud break begins. This timing allows roots to establish before summer heat stress. In mild winter areas (zones 8-9), you can also plant in fall, giving trees time to establish before spring growth. Avoid planting during summer heat or when soil is frozen.

How do you prevent apple scab on Fuji apple trees?▼

Prevent apple scab on Fuji trees through proper spacing for air circulation, fall cleanup of infected leaves, and preventive fungicide applications. Spray copper-based fungicides during dormant season and organic fungicides like sulfur or Bacillus subtilis starting at bud break. Apply every 7-14 days during wet spring weather when scab infections are most likely to occur.