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Variety fit — Florida

Can I grow McIntosh apple in Florida?

The verdict

Not recommended

  • Needs about 900 chill hours; your area averages 300 and tops out near 470.
  • Your zone 9a is warmer than this variety's range (zones 5–8); it may not receive reliable winter chilling.

Based on Florida’s main growing area (32601): zone 9a, ~300 chill hours. Your exact site may differ — check your ZIP.

The numbers

McIntosh requirements vs. Florida climate
McIntosh chill requirement900 chill hours
McIntosh hardinessUSDA zones 5–8
Florida average chill (32601)300 hours (130–470 across 10 winters)
Florida zone (32601)USDA zone 9a
USDA pomological watercolor of McIntosh apple
Malus domestica: McIntoshUSDA pomological watercolor, Deborah Griscom Passmore, 1909 · USDA Pomological Watercolor Collection

Better apple choices for Florida

These meet Florida’s chill hours and zone comfortably:

Keep checking

Or the same verdict for another region:

Questions

Can I grow McIntosh apple in Florida?
Probably not — Needs about 900 chill hours; your area averages 300 and tops out near 470.

Sources

  1. [1] Open-Meteo / Copernicus ERA5. Historical Weather API (hourly 2m temperature) — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] USDA / PRISM (Oregon State University). 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] Utah State University Extension. Apple Production and Variety Recommendations for the Utah Home Garden — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Dave Wilson Nursery. Apples — DWN Variety Finder product list — accessed July 2026