Prunus dulcis

RHS Plant Profile

almond

Other common names

almond oil plant, sweet almond

Synonyms

Prunus dulcis 'Sweet Almond'
Prunus amygdalus
Prunus communis
Amygdalus communis

Trees Fruit Edible

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An upright, spreading, deciduous tree with lance-shaped, toothed dark green leaves. Blossom is pink or white, scented, and produced on bare stems in early spring, followed by oval-shaped green fruit encasing edible almond nuts.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Europe, SW Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in a sunny, sheltered site with moist but well-drained, fertile soil, away from frost pockets. Can be grown as a standard or bush in milder areas, or fan-trained against a south-facing wall; final size will depend on the rootstock used. Almond blossom is very early, so flowers may need protection from frost.

Propagation

Propagate by grafting in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
City and courtyard gardens
Wildlife gardens
Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1. Prune in mid-summer if silver leaf is a problem

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids; caterpillars and birds can cause damage

Diseases

May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, honey fungus, bacterial canker and brown rot. High Risk Host for Xylella fastidiosa