Comparison · crop
Stone fruits: peach vs apricot vs plum vs cherry
Compare temperate Prunus stone-fruit crops.
| Dimension | Peach | Apricot | Plum | Cherry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Tree fruit crop | Tree fruit crop | Tree fruit crop | Tree fruit crop |
| Scientific name | Prunus persica | Prunus armeniaca | Prunus domestica (European plum); Prunus salicina (Japanese plum) | Prunus avium (sweet cherry); Prunus cerasus (sour/tart cherry) |
| Botanical family | Rosaceae (rose family) | Rosaceae (rose family) | Rosaceae (rose family) | Rosaceae (rose family) |
| Lifecycle | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial | Perennial |
| Common diseases | Gray Mold, Powdery Mildew, Bacterial Leaf Spot | Gray Mold, Powdery Mildew, Bacterial Leaf Spot | Gray Mold, Powdery Mildew, Bacterial Leaf Spot | Gray Mold, Powdery Mildew, Bacterial Leaf Spot |
| Common pests | Aphids, Fruit Flies, Scale Insects | Aphids, Fruit Flies, Scale Insects | Aphids, Fruit Flies, Scale Insects | Aphids, Fruit Flies, Scale Insects |
| Suitable soils | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil | Loam Soil, Sandy Soil |
Methodology
Descriptive dimensions (family, lifecycle, associated diseases/pests, soils) are read from each crop’s reference entry. No crop is ranked as “better”; agronomic outcomes are region- and system-specific.
Limitations
- Descriptive comparison only — not a yield, profitability, or suitability ranking.
- Associated diseases/pests and soils are typical, not exhaustive, and vary by region.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- Authoritative
- Type:
- Reference database
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12