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Apple variety

Honeycrisp

Also known as Honey Crisp

The short answer

Honeycrisp requires 800–1,000 chill hours[1] and grows in USDA zones 3–7[2]. It needs a pollination partner[3].

Growing facts

Honeycrisp growing facts
Chill requirement800–1,000 chill hours[1]
HardinessUSDA zones 3–7[2]
PollinationNeeds a pollination partner, bloom group 3[3]
Harvest windowSeptember–October[2]
Years to bearing2–5 years[3]
AppearanceMedium-large, dappled red; extremely juicy and crisp[3]
Honeycrisp appleSpecies illustration — no historical watercolor exists for this cultivar

Pollination partners

Honeycrisp blooms in group 3. The closest bloom-time matches make the most reliable partners:

Show 27 more compatible varieties

Notes

  • Not self-fertile; plant a compatible pollinizer within 6-12 m.[3]
  • Cold-hardy to USDA zone 3; a U of M release bred for Minnesota winters.[2]

A year with your Honeycrisp

When the work happens for an apple in USDA zone 5, anchored to typical frost dates.

Months for pruning, thinning, spray-timing windows, and harvest for Apple in zone 5
TaskJFMAMJJASOND
Prune————————
Thin——————————
Spray timing————
Harvest——————————
Care——————————

See the full month-by-month apple calendar for zone 5 →

Can I grow Honeycrisp where I live?

Check the verdict for a few regions, or your exact ZIP:

Growing a Honeycrisp? Get its care calendar for your exact ZIP code, with email reminders.

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Questions

How many chill hours does Honeycrisp need?
Honeycrisp needs 800–1,000 chill hours.
What hardiness zones suit Honeycrisp?
Honeycrisp grows in USDA zones 3–7.
Is Honeycrisp self-pollinating?
No — Honeycrisp needs a compatible pollination partner nearby.

Sources

  1. [1] UC Davis Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center. Chilling requirement of fruit and nut crops — accessed July 2026
  2. [2] University of Minnesota. Honeycrisp — Minnesota Hardy (U of M fruit breeding program) — accessed July 2026
  3. [3] University of Minnesota Extension. Growing apples in the home garden — accessed July 2026
  4. [4] Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. How soon will a newly planted fruit tree begin to bear fruit? (Yard and Garden FAQ) — accessed July 2026