Description
Lucy™ Gem® was bred to solve a long-standing problem with red-fleshed apples: great color, but harsh flavor. This variety changes that story. It combines true red flesh with a crisp, juicy bite and a balanced sweet-tart flavor that’s genuinely enjoyable fresh.
Cut one open and the surprise is immediate—the interior glows pink to red, strongest near the core, creating a dramatic contrast that delights kids and adults alike. Unlike novelty red apples of the past, Lucy™ Gem® is meant to be eaten firm and crisp, with clean flavor and refreshing juice.
Ripening in mid-season, Lucy™ Gem® shines as a fresh-eating apple for slicing, snacking, salads, and presentation. It’s a high-impact variety that earns its place not just for looks, but for taste.
Overview
- Dessert-quality red-fleshed apple (not a novelty)
- Crisp, juicy texture with balanced sweet-tart flavor
- Vivid red interior that surprises when sliced
- Mid-season ripening
- Pollination required for fruit set
Growing Details
Latin Name: Malus domestica ’Lucy™ Gem®’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: Approximately 500–600 hours
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4–8
Rootstock: M-106 (semi-dwarf)
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically maintained at 12–16 ft tall and wide with pruning
Bloom Time: Mid-season
Ripening Time: Mid-season; typically late September to early October (varies by region)
Flowering Group: Group 3 (mid-season)
Pollination: Pollination required; plant a compatible apple variety within 20–30 feet
Pests & Diseases: Standard apple pest and disease considerations; good airflow and routine care are important
Yield: Reliable producer once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Lucy™ Gem® was bred specifically to make a red-fleshed apple that actually tastes good—crisp, juicy, and balanced instead of sour or harsh.
- Regional Insight: Performs well across a wide range of temperate regions, including the Pacific Northwest, where mid-season apples finish cleanly with good color.
- Flesh color is naturally pigmented and varies with maturity and growing conditions.
- Best enjoyed fresh; storage life is shorter than long-keeping apples.
- Explore more apples in our collection: Apple Trees
