True pistachio (Pistacia vera) | seeds, 5 pcs.

FROST TOLERANT

• Latin name: Pistacia vera
• Danish names: Pistacietræ, ægte pistacie
• English names: Pistachio tree, true pistachio

Pistacia vera is the true pistachio tree – a Mediterranean classic that has been cultivated for millennia for its delicious, green nuts. The species originates from the Middle East and Central Asia, where it grows in dry, sunny regions with hot summers and cool winters. Today, it is grown widely throughout the Mediterranean, Iran, California, and Turkey – but also on a smaller scale as an ornamental and collector's plant in more northerly climates.

The tree is deciduous and grows slowly with an elegant, spreading crown and beautiful greyish bark. The leaves are compound with three to five oval leaflets that turn golden and reddish hues in the autumn. During the flowering period in the spring, the tree forms small, inconspicuous flowers, which later develop into clusters of nuts – the characteristic, oval pistachios with a green kernel and a slightly pink shell.

Cultivation and requirements:

Pistacia vera thrives best in full sun and in a dry, well-drained, and calcareous soil. It is a true lover of sun and heat, but tolerates cold surprisingly well – down to around –10 °C when established and kept dry. In Denmark, it should be grown in large pots or in a very sheltered spot, e.g., against a south-facing wall, where it can overwinter in the shelter.

The species is dioecious, which means that there are both male and female plants. To produce nuts, at least one of each is therefore required, as only the female plants bear fruit. However, the tree also has great ornamental value even without nuts, with its characteristic foliage and elegant growth habit.

Cultivation from seed:

The seeds (pistachios) are best sown fresh and must be stratified – placed in damp sand at approx. 5 °C for 4–6 weeks to break dormancy. Then they are sown in light, well-drained soil and kept at 20–25 °C. Germination usually occurs after 3–6 weeks. The young plants are drought-tolerant but should be kept slightly moist at the start.

Utility value:

The pistachio is known worldwide for its delicate taste and is used raw, salted, roasted, and in a myriad of desserts – from ice cream and cakes to classic baklava. The nuts are rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants. In addition to its culinary value, Pistacia vera is also a very beautiful ornamental plant, with a Mediterranean feel that fits perfectly in dry, sunny gardens.

Pistacia vera is the ideal choice for the patient and curious plant lover – a tree with history, character, and charm that brings the scent and atmosphere of the Mediterranean right into the garden.