Also known as Amarelle Cherry · Amarello Cherry · Black Cherry
Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus) is a deciduous tree known for its tart, bright red fruit, widely used in pies, jams, and liqueurs. It thrives in temperate climates with well
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Requires at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best fruit production.
Consistent Moisture
50% intensity
Water deeply when top 5-7 cm of soil is dry. Avoid waterlogging.
Loam, Sandy loam, Clay loam
50% intensity
Cold Hardy
75% intensity
Requires a period of winter chilling for fruit set. Prefers temperate climates.
Moderate
50% intensity
Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | Yes |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Sour cherries prefer consistent moisture, especially during fruit development. Water deeply when the top 5-7 cm of soil feels dry. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot.
Reduce watering slightly in late summer and fall to help the plant harden off for winter.
Prune sour cherries in late winter or early spring while dormant. Remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Aim for an open canopy to improve air circulation and light penetration.
This also helps maintain the tree's shape and encourages fruit production on older wood.
Sour cherries are typically propagated by budding or grafting onto rootstock. Seed propagation is possible but often results in offspring that do not reliably exhibit the parent plant's characteristics.
Rooting cuttings is generally difficult for this species.
Repotting is generally not applicable to mature sour cherry trees grown outdoors.
Young trees or those grown in containers may require repotting every 2-3 years into a slightly larger container as their root system develops. Use well-draining potting mix.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Sour Cherry (Prunus cerasus)
Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| kingdom | Plantae |
| division | Tracheophyta |
| class | Magnoliopsida |
| order | Rosales |
| family | Rosaceae |
| genus | Prunus |
| species | Prunus cerasus |
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
