Cherries are a summertime favorite—sweet, juicy, and often pricey. But what if you could grow your very own cherry tree using just a single pit? Sounds like magic, right? The truth is, with a simple trick, it’s totally possible to start growing a cherry tree in a matter of days, whether you’ve got a full backyard or just a cozy balcony.
Sure, planting a seed is easy enough—dig a hole, drop it in, cover it up. But waiting for it to sprout and grow into a tree? That usually takes a while. Luckily, there’s a neat method to speed up the process naturally. And within a few short weeks, you’ll already see signs of life from your little cherry tree-to-be.
Let’s break down how it’s done.
Speed-Grow a Cherry Tree in 20 Days: The Pit-Splitting Secret
Let’s be honest—cherries taste like summer sunshine, but their price tag can sting. So growing your own? Totally worth it. And thanks to this trick, you’ll be watching your cherry pit sprout in no time.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Clean and Prep the Pit
Start with a fresh cherry pit. Make sure to clean off any remaining fruit—no pulp, no stickiness. Then, to sanitize and soften the outer shell, drop it into a glass of hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for about 10 minutes. After that, rinse it thoroughly under cool water and let it dry.
At this point, your pit is technically ready to plant. But if you go this route, it could take five to six months before you see any action.
Step 2: Speed Things Up with a Crack
If you’re a little impatient (and who isn’t?), here’s the secret sauce: carefully crack the pit shell to help the seed germinate faster.
Use a nutcracker to gently apply pressure—just enough to split the outer shell and reveal the inner seed (the embryo). Be careful not to crush it. This step gives your cherry seed a serious head start, shaving weeks—if not months—off the wait.
Step 3: Time to Plant
Next, grab a pot about 26 centimeters (10 inches) wide. Fill it with a blend of general-purpose potting soil and a bit of compost for an extra nutrient kick. Plant the seed about 2–3 cm deep, cover it with soil, and give it a good misting with water.
Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Using a spray bottle at first helps avoid disturbing the soil or the seed. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot—ideally somewhere sheltered from wind or heavy rain.
What to Expect Over the Next Few Weeks
Stick with it, and here’s what you’ll likely see:
- After about a month – The first sprout breaks through the surface.
- One week later – Tiny leaves start to appear.
- At the 15-day mark – Your baby cherry tree could be around 15 cm tall!
From here on out, the growth continues steadily. It won’t be bearing fruit overnight, but you’ll have a thriving little sapling well on its way.
Keeping Your Cherry Tree Healthy
Once your tree gets going, it’ll need a little TLC to stay strong:
- Winter protection: When temperatures drop, shield the young plant with breathable fabric (like non-woven garden cloth) to guard against cold and excessive rain.
- Fertilize: Feed the tree every three months with a balanced fertilizer to keep it energized.
- Prune annually: Trim back excess growth once a year. This helps balance the branches and keeps the tree from exhausting itself.
The Payoff: Next Year’s Cherry Harvest
Fast forward to next spring, and your dedication will pay off—big time. You’ll see lush blossoms begin to bloom, and not long after, juicy homegrown cherries you can actually eat. All from a pit you were probably going to toss!
So whether you’re a gardening newbie or a seasoned green thumb, this clever little trick brings you one step closer to having your very own cherry tree—faster than you ever thought possible.
