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Red Delicious Apple

Malus domestica 'Red Delicious'

America's classic apple variety, instantly recognizable by its deep red skin and distinctive elongated shape with five prominent bumps at the base. While modern tastes have shifted toward newer varieties, Red Delicious remains popular for its beautiful appearance and mild, sweet flavor. This reliable producer has been a staple in American orchards for over a century.

Harvest

120-150d

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 Red Delicious Apple in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Red Delicious Apple · Zones 4–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 8-12 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained loam, adaptable to various soils

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-1.5 inches per week, consistent moisture

SeasonSpring through fall harvest

FlavorMild, sweet flavor with soft, mealy texture when overripe

ColorDeep red with darker red striping

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	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – 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

Red Delicious apples store exceptionally well when handled properly. For short-term storage, keep unwashed apples in the refrigerator crisper drawer at 32-35°F with high humidity. They'll maintain quality for 2-3 months if stored immediately after harvest. Avoid room temperature storage, as Red Delicious becomes mealy quickly—within a week at room temperature.

For longer preservation, Red Delicious excels at freezing for future use in smoothies or baby food. Peel, core, and slice, then treat with lemon juice before freezing in airtight containers. While not ideal for traditional cooking due to their soft texture, they make excellent applesauce when combined with firmer varieties like Granny Smith. Dehydrating works well for sweet apple chips—their high sugar content creates naturally sweet dried fruit without added sugars.

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

Marigolds

Repel aphids, nematodes, and other pests while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, also repel woolly aphids

Chives

Repel aphids and may help prevent apple scab disease

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch and fertilizer

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and various flying insects that can damage apple trees

Lavender

Attracts pollinators and repels moths and other harmful insects

Dill

Attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps that control apple pests

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits apple tree growth and can cause stunting or death

Grass

Competes heavily for water and nutrients, especially problematic for young apple trees

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

Susceptible to scab, fire blight, and bitter pit

Common Pests

Codling moth, apple maggot, aphids, mites

Diseases

Apple scab, fire blight, bitter pit, powdery mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Delicious apple take to produce fruit?▼

Red Delicious apple trees typically begin producing fruit 3-5 years after planting, depending on the rootstock. Dwarf rootstocks fruit earlier (2-3 years) while standard trees may take 4-6 years. The tree reaches full production around year 8-10, yielding 40-60 pounds of apples annually.

Can you grow Red Delicious apples in containers?▼

Yes, Red Delicious grows well in large containers (minimum 20-gallon) when grafted onto dwarf rootstock. Choose varieties grafted onto M26 or M9 rootstock for container growing. Use well-draining potting mix, provide full sun, and water consistently. Container trees will produce 10-20 apples per season and need winter protection in zones 4-6.

What does Red Delicious apple taste like?▼

Red Delicious has a mild, sweet flavor with very low acidity and subtle floral notes. When properly ripened and fresh, the texture is crisp and juicy. However, the variety becomes mealy and loses flavor quickly when overripe or stored too long, which has hurt its reputation in commercial markets.

When should I plant Red Delicious apple trees?▼

Plant Red Delicious apple trees in early spring after the last hard frost or in fall 6-8 weeks before the ground freezes. Spring planting is preferred in zones 4-5, while zones 6-8 can plant successfully in either season. Avoid planting during hot summer months or when the ground is frozen.

Do Red Delicious apples need a pollinator tree?▼

Yes, Red Delicious requires cross-pollination from another apple variety to produce fruit. Good pollinators include Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious. Plant the pollinator within 50 feet for best results. Crabapples also work as pollinators and many bloom at the right time for Red Delicious.

Why do my Red Delicious apples taste mealy?▼

Red Delicious apples become mealy when overripe, improperly stored, or left at room temperature too long. Harvest when fully colored but still firm, store immediately in the refrigerator, and eat within 2-3 weeks of harvest for best texture. Modern commercial varieties are more prone to mealiness than heritage selections.