🍎 Apricot Tree
Prunus armeniaca
fruits deciduous fruit tree
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
deep infrequent watering; drought-tolerant
🗺️ Zones
5–9
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained sandy loam
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.5
📏 Spacing
15-25 ft apart (standard); 10-15 ft (semi-dwarf); 20-30 ft between rows
📅 Days to Maturity
3-5 years (from planting); bears fruit 2-4 years after planting grafted tree
🍴 Edible Parts
🍽️ ["Fruit"]
🤝 Companions (7)
🤝 Garlic / Chives
Repel aphids and borers; antifungal to reduce brown rot
Potassium accumulation; pollinator support for early spring bloom
Aphid trap; groundcover
🤝 Clover
Nitrogen and bee forage
🤝 Marigold
Nematode suppression; pest repellent
Repels borers and ants; plant at drip line
Beneficial insect habitat; mineral accumulator
⚠️ Keep Apart (4)
⚠️ Other Prunus spp.
Disease reservoir
⚠️ Walnut trees
Juglone — apricots highly sensitive
⚠️ Nightshades
Verticillium wilt
Aromatic oils may stunt apricot root growth
💊 Medicinal Uses
Contains high beta-carotene (provitamin A), lycopene, and amygdalin (controversial compound — 'laetrile'/'vitamin B17'). Rich in iron, potassium, and fiber. Traditional Chinese Medicine: fruit for dry cough, asthma, and constipation; kernels (xing ren) for cough, asthma, and respiratory conditions. Kernel oil used for skin and hair. CAUTION: bitter kernels contain cyanogenic glycosides and must be processed before medicinal use. Fruit is safe and highly nutritious.