by Jerry A. Chenault

Fruit plants (except strawberries) are best planted in December through February…and strawberries in March and April. But if you’re still wondering about planting fruit and which ones need a pollinator (a cross-pollinator variety), this article’s for you!

I don’t know how many times a year I get asked about which plants (fruits) require a pollinator, but I’ll guarantee it’s a lot of times. That’s why I think the pollination chart below is so handy. You might want to save it for future reference. (Note: Plants marked with an * are not recommended for North Alabama due to winter hardiness problems.)

Pollination and Fruiting Characteristics of Fruit Types

Fruit Type                    Characteristic        Description

                                                   TREE FRUIT
Apple                           Cross-pollinating    Plant two or more varieties of each type for
                                                               cross-pollination. Golden Delicious varieties tend to be
                                                               at least partially self-fruitful when planted alone.
Pear                            Cross-pollinating    Use a second variety every two to four rows. Plant only
                                                               two to three rows of the same variety.
Asian pear                   Cross-pollinating    Some varieties appear partially self-fruitful, but a
                                                               minimum of two varieties should be used.
Peach                         Self-fruiting
Nectarine                     Self-fruiting
Quince                        Self-fruiting
Plum                           Cross-pollinating     Plant two or more varieties of each type for cross-
                                                               pollination. Exceptions to this general rule are Methley,
                                                               Homeside & AU Producer plums, which are generally 
                                                               self-fruitful.
* Cherry, sweet            Cross-pollinating     Sweet cherries are not recommended in Alabama
                                                               because of freeze problems. Pollination requirements
                                                               are also very exacting.
Cherry, sour                 Self-fruiting
* Oriental persimmon,   Self-fruiting
    astringent
* Oriental persimmon,   Self-fruiting or
    non-astringent          Cross-pollinating
* Pomegranate             Self-fruiting
Fig, common               Self-fruiting

                                               SMALL FRUIT
Bunch grape                Self-fruiting             (American or American/European types)
Muscadine grape,        Self-fruiting
    perfect-flowered
Muscadine grape,        Cross-pollinating      Female muscadine grape varieties must be female
                                                                planted with perfect types for cropping.
Blackberry                  Self-fruiting
Raspberry                   Self-fruiting
Blueberry, rabbiteye,   Cross-pollinating       Two or more varieties of the same type, like rabbiteye,
   highbush, & southern                              must be planted for highbush cross-pollination.
                                                                Rabbiteye blueberries generally fruit best when a
                                                                varietal sequence of two to one is used across the
                                                                plantings, like two rows of Tifblue and one row of
                                                                Premier. Highbush blueberry varieties are more
                                                                self-fruitful but usually benefit from interplanting two or
                                                                more varieties.
Strawberry                   Self-fruiting             A few of the varieties available, like Apollo require cross-
                                                                pollination

                                    SUBTROPICAL & EXOTIC FRUIT
* Satsuma                   Self-fruiting
* Kumquat                   Self-fruiting
* Meyer lemon             Self-fruiting
Kiwifruit                       Cross-pollinating      Kiwifruit have male and female varieties that must be
                                                                interplanted to ensure cropping. One male is used for
                                                                every five to ten female plants.
* Feijoa                       Cross-pollinating

Jerry A. Chenault is an Urban Regional Extension Agent with The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, New & Nontraditional Programs division.