Quince tree
Cydonia oblonga
Botanical family: Rosaceae
Cydonia oblonga, a Rosaceae of western Asia (Asia Minor, Caucasus) grown for more than two thousand years for its downy quinces, very fragrant when ripe. Undemanding, it succeeds in most soils. Sources: Tela Botanica, “Cydonia oblonga Mill.” (Coste's flora, under the name Cydonia vulgaris); Plants For A Future, “Cydonia oblonga”.
Full sun, warm and sheltered
Deep, cool, a little heavy; tolerates moisture better than most fruit trees
Regular, enjoys cool soil
Hardy (~-20 °C), but spring blossom sensitive to late frosts
Overwinters in your zone
Self-fertile (a single plant suffices)
One plant is enough for a crop
Role in permaculture
A small, hardy, unpretentious tree, with a beautiful pink spring flowering (nectar-bearing) and a very fragrant golden fruit, turned into jelly, paste (cotignac), or compote, never eaten raw. Self-fertile and modest in size, it finds its place in small orchards; it also serves as a classic dwarfing rootstock for the pear.
Good companions
Known pests & diseases
Pests and diseases that commonly affect this plant, tap to learn how to recognise and manage them.
Seasons & availability
Quinces picked in autumn, in October and November, then turned into jelly or paste.
Available: October, November.
Guidance for the oceanic / temperate climate; it may vary with your region, altitude, exposure and growing method.
Sources
- RHS, « How to Grow Quinces » (rhs.org.uk/fruit/quince/grow-your-own)
- Interfel, « Coing : Présentation, disponibilité, conservation » (lesfruitsetlegumesfrais.com/fruits-legumes/fruits-a-pepins/coing)
Nutritional & medicinal properties
For educational purposes. Not a substitute for medical advice. Effects depend on the form, the dose and personal context.
Precautions & contraindications
Eaten cooked. As for the apple, do not crush or eat the pips in quantity (cyanogenic glycosides).
Family behaviour: Rosaceae
In general, Rosaceae are traditionally paired with garlic (reputed antifungal, an in-vitro effect against Venturia inaequalis but little demonstrated in the field), tansy and comfrey. This is the fruit family (strawberry, raspberry, apple, pear, cherry, plum, peach). Tansy is the emblematic companion of the apple tree guild.
Understanding families means learning one rule per family rather than every pairing one by one. Learn more →
Species & varieties
The best-known species and varieties in France.
Common varieties
Key takeaways
- • Prefers full sun, warm and sheltered exposure.
- • Ideal soil: deep, cool, a little heavy; tolerates moisture better than most fruit trees.
- • Classic companion: Comfrey.