How to grow Pear
Updated October 2026
Pears are long-lived, adaptable fruit trees, and both European pears and crisp Asian pears grow well in home gardens across much of the country. Two things matter most: plant two different varieties for pollination, and choose varieties resistant to fire blight, the disease that ruins more home pears than any other.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Pear
Where to plant
Pears need full sun and grow in most well-drained soils, tolerating some dry spells. They bloom earlier than apples, so plant them on higher ground where cold air drains away, rather than in frost pockets. Most fruit trees prefer a soil pH around 6.0 to 6.5.
Pears are usually grafted onto rootstocks that control tree size. Trees on dwarfing roots are easier to prune, spray and pick.
- The Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, Mountain West, Pacific Northwest and Northern Plains: European and Asian pears grow well; choose cold-hardy, fire blight-resistant varieties.
- The Mid-South, Southern Plains and Gulf South: fire blight pressure is high in warm, humid springs, so plant only resistant varieties such as 'Moonglow', 'Magness', 'Kieffer' or 'Harrow Sweet'.
- North Florida, Texas and California: choose low-chill varieties; NC State notes 'Hosui' and 'Kosui' Asian pears have low chill needs.
- Alaska: only very hardy varieties in sheltered sites.
Choosing a variety
| Type | Examples recommended by NC State |
|---|---|
| European pears | 'Moonglow', 'Magness' (does not provide pollen), 'Kieffer', 'Harrow Sweet', 'Seckel', 'Potomac' and 'Shenandoah' |
| Asian pears | 'Olympic', 'Hosui', 'Kosui' and 'Shinko' |
Plant at least two varieties that bloom together for good fruit set. 'Magness' produces no useful pollen, so it needs two other varieties. Choose fire blight-resistant varieties wherever possible.
How to plant
- Test and correct the soil before planting, working lime or other amendments in deeply.
- Plant dormant trees in late winter or early spring, at the same depth they grew in the nursery.
- Train to a central leader: one upright main trunk with tiers of side branches, like a Christmas tree.
- Water in well and keep young trees watered through their first season.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees regularly while they establish and during fruit development in dry spells. Established pears tolerate occasional dry soil.
Feed lightly according to a soil test. Heavy nitrogen feeding produces soft, fast growth that is especially prone to fire blight.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune in late winter while dormant to keep a central leader and open the canopy to light and air.
- Watch for fire blight in spring: shoots that wilt into a shepherd's crook and turn black as if scorched. Cut infected shoots well below the damage, disinfect tools between cuts, and dispose of the prunings.
- Thin heavy fruit set for better size.
Harvesting
Do not let European pears ripen on the tree; tree-ripened pears become gritty and bland. Iowa State Extension advises picking when the skin color changes from deep green to yellow-green while the fruit is still firm, then ripening the fruit indoors at room temperature until it softens.
Asian pears are handled differently and are usually picked when ripe and crisp. Their fruit bruises easily, so handle it gently.
Companion planting
Pears are long-lived trees that need sun and air flow. Low flowering plants around the edge of the root zone bring in pollinators and beneficial insects.
Good companions
- Chives A low perennial for the edge of the bed.
- Comfrey Can be cut and laid under the tree as mulch; hard to remove once planted.
- Marigold Flowers draw in pollinators and beneficial insects.
- Nasturtium A low annual whose flowers bring in pollinators.
- Garlic
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to pear.
- Walnut Traditional advice keeps fruit trees away from black walnut, whose roots release a compound that harms many plants.
Pests and diseases
Fire blight is the biggest concern for home pears. NC State also lists pear psylla, codling moth and borers among the insects.
Pests to watch for
- Codling moth Larvae tunneling to the core, with frass at the entry hole.
- Pear psylla Tiny insects on new shoots with honeydew and black sooty mold.
- Scale Crusty bumps on bark and twigs.
- Birds Pecked ripening fruit, especially Asian pears.
- Pear sawfly (pearslug)
Diseases to watch for
- Fire blight Blossoms and shoots suddenly wilt, blacken and curl like a shepherd's crook; cankers on limbs. There is no cure, so plant resistant varieties.
- Pear scab Dark, scabby spots on leaves and fruit in wet springs.
Common questions
Do I need two pear trees?
Yes, for good crops. Plant at least two different varieties that bloom at the same time. 'Magness' produces no useful pollen, so it needs two other varieties nearby.
When should I pick pears?
Pick European pears while they are still firm, when the skin turns from deep green to yellow-green, and ripen them indoors. Pears left to ripen on the tree turn gritty and bland. Asian pears are picked ripe from the tree.
What is fire blight?
A bacterial disease that makes blossoms and shoots wilt, blacken and bend like a shepherd's crook. There is no cure, so plant resistant varieties, avoid heavy nitrogen, and prune out infected shoots well below the damage.
Which pears resist fire blight?
NC State recommends varieties such as 'Moonglow', 'Magness', 'Kieffer', 'Harrow Sweet', 'Seckel', 'Potomac' and 'Shenandoah' for fire blight-prone areas.
Can I grow pears in Florida or Texas?
Yes, with low-chill varieties. NC State notes that the Asian pears 'Hosui' and 'Kosui' have low chill needs, and 'Kieffer' tolerates both drought and flooding.
Sources we checked: NC State Extension: North Carolina Production Guide for Smaller Orchard Plantings; NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Pyrus communis; Iowa State University Extension: When should I harvest pears?.
Loading sow calendar…