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Red Haven Peach

Prunus persica 'Red Haven'

America's most popular peach variety, prized for its reliable production of medium-sized freestone peaches with gorgeous red-blushed skin and sweet, juicy yellow flesh. This cold-hardy variety was developed at Michigan State University and remains the gold standard for home orchards across the northern states. Red Haven peaches ripen mid-season and are perfect for fresh eating, canning, and baking.

Harvest

70-80d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Edible fruit

☀️

Zones

5–9

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

15-25 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Red Haven Peach in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

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Red Haven Peach · Zones 5–9

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate to difficult

Spacing15-20 feet (standard), 8-10 feet (dwarf)

SoilWell-drained sandy loam, avoid heavy clay

pH6.0-7.0

Water1-2 inches per week, especially during fruit development

SeasonSpring planting, mid-summer harvest

FlavorSweet with balanced acidity, very juicy, classic peach flavor

ColorYellow with red blush covering most of skin

SizeMedium, 2.5-3 inches diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

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

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Edible fruit, Wildlife Larval Host. Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: High. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Juicy fleshy fruit in summer is yellow to orange, tinged with red with a large, rough pit (stone). They are fuzzy with hairs and called peaches. A recessive gene can cause the fruit to be smooth and hairless and they are called nectarines. Generally round or slightly oval and 3 x 3 inches.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Orange, Red/Burgundy. Type: Drupe. Length: 1-3 inches. Width: 1-3 inches.

Garden value: Edible

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruit edible raw or cooked. The seed contains hydrogen cyanide and should be discarded

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Red Haven peaches keep 2-3 days at room temperature for final ripening, then refrigerate for up to one week. Store in the crisper drawer with high humidity, but avoid plastic bags which trap moisture and encourage rot. Check daily and use soft fruit immediately.

For freezing, blanch whole peaches in boiling water for 60 seconds, then ice bath to remove skins easily. Slice and toss with ascorbic acid (Fruit Fresh) to prevent browning. Freeze on trays before bagging to prevent clumping—frozen peaches keep 10-12 months.

Red Haven's firm flesh and balanced acidity make it exceptional for canning. Process halves or slices in light syrup using a boiling water bath. The freestone characteristic means clean separation from pits, making processing efficient. These peaches also dehydrate beautifully—slice thin and dry until leathery for long-term storage without added sugars.

History & Origin

Origin: China

Advantages

+Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
+Wildlife value: This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north.
+Edible: Fruit edible raw or cooked. The seed contains hydrogen cyanide and should be discarded
+Fast-growing

Considerations

-Toxic (Seeds): Medium severity
-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Comfrey

Dynamic accumulator that adds nutrients to soil and attracts beneficial insects

Chives

Repels aphids, Japanese beetles, and other pests while improving soil health

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles, deters ants and squash bugs

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting beneficial pollinators

Tansy

Deters ants, mice, and flying insects that can damage fruit trees

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial predatory insects

Garlic

Deters borers, aphids, and fungal diseases when planted around tree base

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill peach trees

Pine Trees

Acidifies soil and creates unfavorable growing conditions for stone fruits

Cherry Trees

Attracts similar pests and diseases, increasing risk of bacterial canker and brown rot

Tomatoes

Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases and compete for nutrients

Nutrition Facts

Calories

42kcal(2%)

Protein

0.91g(2%)

Fiber

1.5g(5%)

Carbs

10.1g(4%)

Fat

0.27g(0%)

Vitamin C

4.1mg(5%)

Vitamin A

24mcg(3%)

Vitamin K

3mcg(3%)

Iron

0.34mg(2%)

Calcium

4mg(0%)

Potassium

122mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #325430)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Moderate resistance to brown rot, requires regular fungicide program

Common Pests

Peach tree borer, oriental fruit moth, plum curculio, aphids

Diseases

Brown rot, leaf curl, bacterial spot, cytospora canker

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Red Haven peach take to produce fruit?▼

Red Haven peach trees typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting, with full production by year 5-6. Grafted trees from nurseries fruit sooner than trees grown from seed, which can take 4-6 years and won't produce true-to-type fruit.

Can you grow Red Haven peach trees in containers?▼

Yes, Red Haven can grow in large containers (minimum 20 gallons) but requires dwarf rootstock for best results. Container trees need consistent watering, annual repotting, and winter protection in cold climates. Expect smaller yields than ground-planted trees but full-sized, quality fruit.

What hardiness zones can grow Red Haven peaches?▼

Red Haven peaches thrive in USDA zones 5-8, with exceptional cold tolerance for a peach variety. In zone 5, plant in protected locations and choose late-blooming strains if available. Zones 9-10 may lack sufficient winter chill hours for proper fruit development.

When should I plant Red Haven peach trees?▼

Plant Red Haven peach trees in early spring while still dormant, typically 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost. In zones 5-6, this means March planting; zones 7-8 can plant in February. Fall planting is possible in milder climates but spring gives trees maximum establishment time.

Do Red Haven peaches need another variety for pollination?▼

Red Haven peaches are self-pollinating and don't require another variety for fruit production. However, cross-pollination with other peach varieties blooming at the same time (like Redhaven or Belle of Georgia) can increase fruit set and yield, especially in marginal weather conditions during bloom.

What does Red Haven peach taste like compared to other varieties?▼

Red Haven offers the classic peach flavor—intensely sweet with balanced acidity and exceptional juiciness. The yellow flesh is less acidic than white peaches but more complex than overly sweet varieties. Many consider it the benchmark peach flavor that defines what a perfect peach should taste like.