Container OK

Stella Cherry

Prunus avium 'Stella'

The first self-fertile sweet cherry variety, revolutionizing home cherry growing by eliminating the need for a second pollinator tree. These large, heart-shaped cherries have deep red skin and firm, sweet flesh that's perfect for fresh eating right off the tree. Stella trees are compact and manageable, making them ideal for smaller home orchards where space is at a premium but cherry cravings are not.

Harvest

65-70d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Edible fruit

☀️

Zones

3–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Difficulty

Moderate

🌱

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Stella Cherry in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 fruit-tree →

Zone Map

Click a state to update dates

Stella Cherry · Zones 3–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

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

SoilWell-drained loamy soil, excellent drainage essential

pH6.0-7.5

Water1-1.5 inches per week, avoid overwatering

SeasonSpring planting, early summer harvest

FlavorSweet with mild tartness, firm and meaty texture

ColorDeep red to dark red

SizeLarge, 1 inch diameter

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	—	June – August	—	August – September
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	July – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Edible fruit. Maintenance: High.

Harvesting

Fleshy, yellow to red to purple-red, with a large pit (stone) and long stem.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy. Type: Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible

Bloom time: Spring

Edibility: Fruit edible raw or cooked.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Stella cherries keep best when stored unwashed in the refrigerator at 32-35°F with high humidity. Place them in perforated plastic bags in the crisper drawer where they'll maintain quality for 7-10 days. For counter storage, keep them in a cool spot away from direct sunlight and use within 2-3 days.

For freezing, wash and pit the cherries, then spread on baking sheets to freeze individually before transferring to freezer bags. Frozen Stellas maintain excellent texture for baking and smoothies for up to 8 months. Their firm flesh also makes them excellent candidates for canning — follow tested recipes for cherry preserves or pie filling. The sweet-tart balance holds up beautifully in jams, requiring less added sugar than many sweet cherry varieties. Dehydrated Stella cherries develop an intense, concentrated sweetness that rivals expensive dried cherries from the store.

History & Origin

Stella cherry was developed in 1968 at the Summerland Research Station in British Columbia, Canada, by Dr. Kenneth Lapins. This groundbreaking variety emerged from a breeding program focused on creating self-fertile sweet cherries, addressing the primary limitation that prevented most home gardeners from growing cherries — the need for two different varieties for cross-pollination.

Dr. Lapins achieved this breakthrough by crossing Lambert and J.I. 2420 varieties, then exposing the seedlings to radiation to induce genetic mutations that would create self-compatibility. Stella became the first commercially successful self-fertile sweet cherry, earning the distinction of being named after the constellation due to its 'stellar' achievement in cherry breeding.

Released to growers in 1971, Stella revolutionized home fruit growing and paved the way for other self-fertile cherry varieties. Its development marked a turning point in cherry cultivation, making fresh, homegrown cherries accessible to gardeners with limited space who couldn't accommodate multiple trees. Today, Stella remains the standard by which other self-fertile sweet cherries are measured.

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.

Considerations

-Toxic (Flowers, Fruits, Leaves, Seeds): Medium severity
-High maintenance

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Chives

Repels aphids, Japanese beetles, and other pests that commonly attack cherry trees

Marigolds

Deter nematodes and aphids while attracting beneficial insects

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, protecting cherry trees

Comfrey

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

Lavender

Repels moths and flies while attracting pollinators beneficial for fruit set

Tansy

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

Garlic

Natural fungicide properties help prevent bacterial canker and brown rot

Clover

Fixes nitrogen in soil and provides ground cover to retain moisture

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits cherry tree growth and can cause wilting

Fennel

Allelopathic properties inhibit growth of cherry trees and most other plants

Grass (turf)

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

Nutrition Facts

Calories

63kcal(3%)

Protein

1.06g(2%)

Fiber

2.1g(8%)

Carbs

16g(6%)

Fat

0.2g(0%)

Vitamin C

7mg(8%)

Vitamin A

3mcg(0%)

Vitamin K

2.1mcg(2%)

Iron

0.36mg(2%)

Calcium

13mg(1%)

Potassium

222mg(5%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #171719)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to cracking, moderate disease resistance

Common Pests

Cherry fruit fly, aphids, spider mites, birds

Diseases

Brown rot, leaf spot, powdery mildew, bacterial canker

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Stella cherry take to produce fruit?▼

Stella cherry trees typically begin producing fruit 3-4 years after planting, with full production reached by year 6-7. Dwarf varieties may fruit slightly earlier, sometimes in year 2-3, while standard-sized trees take the full 3-4 years. The self-fertile nature means you'll get fruit from a single tree once it reaches maturity.

Can you grow Stella cherry in containers?▼

Yes, Stella cherries adapt well to large containers due to their compact growth habit. Use a container at least 20-24 inches wide and deep with excellent drainage holes. Choose dwarf rootstock varieties for best results, and plan to move the container to protect from extreme winter cold below zone 6.

What does Stella cherry taste like compared to store-bought?▼

Stella cherries have a rich, sweet flavor with subtle tartness and firm, meaty texture that's far superior to most store-bought cherries. They're less sweet than Bing cherries but more complex in flavor, with better texture retention even when fully ripe. The eating quality is exceptional fresh off the tree.

When should I plant Stella cherry trees?▼

Plant Stella cherry trees in early spring, 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost when soil is workable but not waterlogged. Fall planting works in zones 7-9, giving roots time to establish before winter. Avoid planting during active growth periods or when trees are flowering or leafing out.

Do Stella cherries need a pollinator tree?▼

No, Stella cherries are self-fertile and don't require a second variety for pollination. This breakthrough characteristic makes Stella ideal for small gardens where space for multiple trees isn't available. However, planting with other cherry varieties can sometimes increase overall fruit set and yield.

How do you protect Stella cherries from birds?▼

Bird netting draped over the entire tree is the most effective protection method for Stella cherries. Install it when fruits begin turning red, ensuring it's secured at ground level. Reflective tape, fake owls, and noise makers provide minimal protection. Row covers work for smaller trees but must be removed for pollination.