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Sweet Crab Apple

Malus coronaria

Last reviewed: August 2026

Malus coronaria (Sweet Crab Apple) is a native deciduous tree blooming with fragrant white to pink flowers in May and June across eastern and midwestern United States.

Sweet Crab Apple (Malus coronaria)
Photo: Cbaile19 / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

Toxicity unknown

Sweet Crab Apple (Malus coronaria) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–480" H × 180"–360" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AL, AR, DE, GA and 18 more states

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Ozark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsNorthern Lakes and ForestsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Valley Loess PlainsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Sweet crab apple produces fragrant white to pink flowers in late spring, followed by small yellow-green fruits. It typically grows 20-40 feet tall with a rounded crown and provides excellent seasonal interest with spring blooms and fall color.

Growing Sweet Crab Apple

Grow Sweet Crab Apple in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 480 inches tall and spread 180 to 360 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Sweet Crab Apple is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, mid zone, street edge.

  • Fruit drop may require occasional cleanup

Wildlife value

The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles in late spring. The small fruits are eaten by birds and wildlife throughout fall and winter.

Common questions

When does Malus coronaria bloom?
Sweet Crab Apple blooms in May and June, producing fragrant white to pale pink flowers that attract various pollinators.
What pollinators visit Malus coronaria?
Sweet Crab Apple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and beetles, making it valuable for supporting native pollinator populations.
Where is Malus coronaria native?
Sweet Crab Apple is native to eastern and midwestern states from New York south to Georgia and west to Kansas, including the Great Lakes region.
What growing conditions does Malus coronaria prefer?
Sweet Crab Apple grows best in full sun with medium moisture but adapts to various light and water conditions once established.
Is Sweet Crab Apple HOA-friendly?
Sweet Crab Apple is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow Sweet Crab Apple? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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