Pistachios are mainly imported to Germany from Turkey and the USA. In the country itself, it is difficult to cultivate pistachio trees outdoors and harvest pistachios. The trees grow naturally in very dry and hot desert areas.
Is it possible to grow pistachio trees in Germany?
Growing a pistachio tree in Germany is difficult because it requires climatic conditions such as a lot of warmth, a dry environment and no low temperatures. You can grow pistachio trees from cuttings or fresh seeds, but greenhouse cultivation is more recommended in Germany.
Problems with fresh seeds
Even sowing a pistachio tree is difficult. The kernels available in stores are usually treated and not fresh enough. Pistachio seeds only germinate when they are very fresh.
If you want to plant a pistachio tree in Germany, you have to either get the seeds from a mail order company for exotic seeds or bring them with you from vacation.
If you are lucky enough to find pistachio trees nearby, you can take cuttings. To be on the safe side, use cuttings from multiple trees to obtain male and female plants.
Pistachio trees need a lot of warmth
The biggest problem when growing pistachios is the climatic conditions. Almost nowhere in Germany is it permanently as warm and dry as in the countries of origin.
Pistachios cannot tolerate low temperatures for long periods of time. This makes them difficult to cultivate outdoors. Older plants that are in a favorable location can survive cool winters with frost protection.
Growing a pistachio tree in the greenhouse
The climatic requirements for rearing are more likely to be met in a greenhouse. However, the trees there remain rather small at one to three meters.
In nature, pistachio trees reach a height of up to 25 meters. They can live up to 300 years.
Planting a pistachio tree in Germany
If you still want to try planting one or more pistachio trees, look for a protected location.
- Very sunny location
- Wind-sheltered location
- Not too nutritious soil
- Permeable soil without waterlogging
Harvest pistachios from your own tree
If you succeed in raising the tree, you will need some patience. It will take at least three years before you can harvest the first pistachios. The drupes take several months after flowering until they are ready to harvest.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to harvest pistachios, you need at least one female and one male plant. Pollination occurs by wind. If kept in a greenhouse, you can try pollinating the flowers with a brush.