Peach trees (Prunus persica) are prized across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 8 for their juicy, sweet fruits, attractive flowers and bright yellow fall coloring. Peach trees grow readily from seed, although plants grown from seed may not have the same desirable characteristics as the parent peach tree. In order for the peach seed to sprout, it must undergo stratification, or cold treatment, which will trigger germination.
Clean any remaining flesh off of the peach pit by scrubbing it gently with a soft-bristled brush or scrubber and rinsing it under water. Leave the pit out to dry for at least a day.
Place the peach seed in a plastic bag with moist, but not saturated, peat moss, vermiculite or sand, write the date on the bag in permanent marker and place the bag with seed in a refrigerator that will ideally remain between about 33 and 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the seed in the refrigerator for about 98 to 105 days.
Prepare a planting container for the peach seed. Choose a container with ample drain holes and fill it up most of the way with a suitable, well-drained germination medium, which could contain half peat moss and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. Alternatively, you can plant the peach seed directly in the ground in late winter or early spring in a warm, protected spot with proper drainage.
Create a small hole in the medium, place the peach seed in the hole and firm the medium gently over the seed so it is planted about 2 inches deep.
Set the container with the planted peach seed in a position with bright, indirect light where the temperature will remain around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Mist the growing medium after planting and as needed to maintain uniform, though not excessive, moisture around the peach seed.
Move the peach to an area with more light and slightly cooler temperatures, between about 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, once it sprouts. Also reduce the frequency of misting or watering, allowing the medium to dry out very slightly between waterings. Once the peach seedling has five or six leaves, you can plant it in a larger container with a quality potting soil or directly in the ground outdoors.
Things You Will Need
- Soft-bristled scrub brush
- Plastic bag
- Moist peat moss, sand or vermiculite
- Permanent marker
- Pot with ample drain holes
- Well-drained germination medium
- Spray bottle with misting capacity
- Michigan Peach Sponsors: What Will Happen if I Plant a Peach Pit?
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Prunus Persica: Peach
- Iowa State University of Science and Technology: Germination of Tree Seed
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Plant Propagation from Seed
- University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences: The Georgia Peach - Kids Korner
- Dynamic Graphics Group/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images