Sweet cherry
Prunus avium
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Pl. 8460 — Prunus avium
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IOverview
Overview
Prunus avium is a tree that belongs to the family of plants that includes plums, peaches, and apricots. It is native to a wide range of countries, including Afghanistan, Albania, and parts of Europe. This tree is known for its edible fruit and seeds. One of its distinctive features is its ability to thrive in various soil types, including light, medium, and heavy soils, as long as the soil pH is between 5.5 and 6.5. It is also notable for its relatively wide native range, stretching from Afghanistan to parts of Europe, and its ability to grow into a sizable tree, reaching heights of up to 18 meters. Its fruit is widely recognized and consumed, making it a notable species in many cultures.
Quick answers
What is Sweet cherry?
Prunus avium is a tree that belongs to the family of plants that includes plums, peaches, and apricots. It is native to a wide range of countries, including Afghanistan, Albania, and parts of Europe. This tree is known for its edible fruit and seeds.
What is Sweet cherry used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Sweet cherry
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Sweet cherry appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a decoction. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Sweet cherry support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
This plant prefers well-lit conditions, with a light rating of 7 out of 10, and moist water levels. It can thrive in a variety of soils, including light sandy, medium, and heavy clay soils, with a preferred pH range of 5.5 to 6.5. It is hardy in zones 3-7. As a perennial tree, it can grow up to 18 meters tall and 3 meters wide. Propagation can be done using its edible seeds. With proper care, it will produce fruit, which is also edible, making it a valuable addition to many gardens.
Light
7/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Tree
Mature size
18.0 m × 3 m
Soil pH
5.5–6.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Sweet cherry for the first time
7steps
Sweet cherries are a rewarding but challenging project for beginners, focusing on basic care and patience.
- 1
What you'll need
A sweet cherry tree sapling, garden gloves, a spade or trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in late winter or early spring when the ground is workable but not frozen.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil pH between 5.5–6.5, with good drainage; loosen the topsoil if planting in a container.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings into prepared ground, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as in their pot.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged; avoid disturbing roots during this period.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide regular watering, especially during dry spells; mulch around the base for moisture retention and weed control.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove dead branches; harvest fruit when ripe, usually mid-summer.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FruitSeed
Edible uses: Gum
Other uses:DyeGumTanninLumberEspalier
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe22 regions
native (22)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryIrelandItalyNetherlandsNorwayPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaSpainUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia1 region
native (1)Iran
Africa3 regions
native (3)AlgeriaLibyaMorocco
Broader regions
native:Czechoslovakia
VIIIGarden companions
10 pairs
Garden companions
10 pairsPlant near these
These plants help — by repelling pests, fixing nitrogen, attracting pollinators, or sharing space well.
Fagopyrum esculentum
Fagopyrum esculentum
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: long-blooming insectary plants support pollinators and pest predators near fruit trees.
Bergamot
Monarda didyma
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: long-blooming insectary plants support pollinators and pest predators near fruit trees.
Pot marigold
Calendula officinalis
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: long-blooming insectary plants support pollinators and pest predators near fruit trees.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Pollinator-friendly
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: long-blooming insectary plants support pollinators and pest predators near fruit trees.
White Clover
Trifolium repens
Dynamic accumulator
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: deep-rooted or nitrogen-supporting plants can be chopped and dropped as managed mulch.
Stinging nettle
Urtica dioica
Dynamic accumulator
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: deep-rooted or nitrogen-supporting plants can be chopped and dropped as managed mulch.
Chives
Allium schoenoprasum
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: compact aromatic herbs form a pest-confusing edge under or near fruit trees.
Garlic
Allium sativum
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: compact aromatic herbs form a pest-confusing edge under or near fruit trees.
Origanum vulgare
Origanum vulgare
Pest repellent
Lower-confidence orchard guild pairing: compact aromatic herbs form a pest-confusing edge under or near fruit trees.
Keep away from these
Avoid planting nearby — competition, allelopathy, or shared pests/diseases.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
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