Concord Grape

Concord was selected by Ephraim Wales Bull from open-pollinated seedlings of wild Vitis labrusca growing on his property in Concord, Massachusetts. Bull grew approximately 22,000 seedlings from collected wild seed before settling on this one plant, and introduced the variety commercially in 1854. Its parentage is primarily Vitis labrusca, with possible minor contributions from Vitis vinifera, though subsequent DNA analysis has not confirmed a vinifera component with certainty. At the time of its introduction, no cultivated grape available to northern growers matched Concord’s combination of cold hardiness and productivity. It proved more cold-tolerant and reliably productive than any selection then in American cultivation, and it spread rapidly through the northeastern and midwestern states. Concord became the foundational cultivar of the American grape processing industry — grape juice, jelly, jam, and grape-flavored products — a position it has held for more than 170 years. Despite the emergence of superior table and wine varieties, its dominance in the juice and processed-grape market remains essentially unchallenged in the eastern United States.

Concord performs across a broad swath of temperate climates, from zone 4 continental winters through zone 9 mild-summer coastal regions, but it hits its productive peak where winters are cold enough to drive full dormancy and summers deliver at least 140 frost-free days. A low chilling requirement of roughly 100 to 150 hours means most temperate sites satisfy it easily — bloom timing in late spring rarely conflicts with late frost events. Full sun drives sugar accumulation and limits fungal disease pressure; sites with afternoon shade predictably produce less flavorful, more disease-prone fruit. Well-drained, moderately fertile loam or sandy loam suits this vine best — high-nitrogen soils push excessive vegetative growth at the expense of fruit. Soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 keeps nutrient availability optimal for labrusca-type grapes. Consistent moisture during fruit set helps cluster size; overhead irrigation should be avoided in humid climates to minimize foliar disease.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-8
AHS Heat Zone: 2-7
Chill Hours: 400-600
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Soil pH: 5.0-6.0
Soil Type: Deep loamy soil; tolerates a wide range of soils
Soil Drainage: Well-drained; good drainage required
Water Requirements: Medium moisture

Concord is a vigorous, deciduous climbing vine that can extend 15 to 20 feet or more along a trellis in a single growing season if left unpruned. The large, lobed leaves are distinctly green above and covered with a whitish-woolly pubescence on the undersurface — a visual trait shared with most pure labrusca types. On a standard two-wire training system or Geneva Double Curtain, the vine fills its allotted space within two to three seasons. Annual dormant pruning — removing 80 to 90 percent of the prior year's cane growth — is essential to controlling vigor and maintaining fruiting-wood quality; vines pruned too lightly produce excessive foliage with poor fruit development. Root architecture is deep and lateral, giving established vines good drought resilience once the root system matures, though the first two seasons benefit from supplemental irrigation. The vine is long-lived, with productive lifespans of 50 to 80 years under good management.

Mature Height: 15-20 ft tall
Mature Spread: 15-20 ft wide
Growth Habit: Vigorous vine
Leaf Color: Green

Concord carries perfect (hermaphroditic) flowers with functional stamens and pistils, making it fully self-fertile. Clusters set reliably without any cross-pollinator nearby. Bloom typically occurs in late May to early June in a temperate climate, with small, greenish-white, fragrant flowers opening over a window of 7 to 10 days. Pollination is accomplished by both wind and visiting insects. Although a cross-pollinator is not required, planting within bloom range of other late-spring-blooming American-type grapes — such as Niagara Grape or Catawba Grape — can modestly increase berry set and average cluster weight. Girdling the trunk just before bloom is a common commercial practice to improve berry size, though it requires careful timing and is optional for home growers.

Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pollination Mechanism: Self-pollinating

Concord produces medium-sized, round, blue-black berries roughly 0.75 to 1.0 inches in diameter, weighing approximately 4 to 6 grams each, borne in loose to medium-tight cylindrical clusters of 20 to 40 berries. The skin slips cleanly from the flesh — a defining labrusca trait — and carries most of the grape's characteristic methyl anthranilate compound, the molecule responsible for the foxy aroma that defines commercial grape juice and Concord jelly. Sugar content typically falls in the 15 to 18 Brix range at full maturity, with relatively high acidity balancing the sweetness. Seeds are large and present in most berries, though seedless sports exist. The berries do not store long fresh — two to three weeks refrigerated — but they freeze well and are outstanding for juice, jelly, jam, preserves, and home winemaking. Harvest in a temperate climate generally runs from mid-September into early October, depending on summer heat accumulation.

Fruit Color: Red

Concord's disease profile reflects its predominantly labrusca parentage: better than most European vinifera grapes, but not immune to the major fungal diseases of humid climates. Black rot (Guignardia bidwellii) is the most economically damaging disease in humid eastern climates; Concord carries moderate susceptibility, so removing and destroying mummified berries and infected canes before bud break is the single most effective management step. Downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola) can cause significant defoliation in wet summers — improving canopy airflow through shoot positioning and timely hedging limits infection periods. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) is also a concern; Concord shows moderate susceptibility, and summer applications of OMRI-listed sulfur or potassium bicarbonate provide organic management when timed before symptoms appear. Botrytis bunch rot (Botrytis cinerea) affects tight clusters late in the season; thinning clusters and removing damaged berries reduces incidence. Pierce's Disease (Xylella fastidiosa), vectored by sharpshooter leafhoppers, is a serious threat in warm climates with mild winters — Concord is susceptible and should not be planted in the Deep South's coastal plain. Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) skeletonizes foliage aggressively in July and August; hand-picking, kaolin clay applications, and neem oil provide organic control.

• Prune aggressively every dormant season: Remove 80–90% of prior year's growth. Overcrowded canes reduce fruit quality and increase fungal disease pressure.
• Manage black rot with sanitation first: Collect and destroy all mummified berries and infected canes before bud break — this alone cuts infection pressure more than any spray program.
• Avoid overhead irrigation in humid climates: Drip or surface irrigation keeps foliage dry during fruit development, reducing downy mildew and botrytis incidence.
• Do not plant in Pierce's Disease regions: In climates with mild winters, Concord is susceptible to Pierce's Disease and will decline within a few seasons; choose a resistant hybrid instead.
• Harvest by taste, not color: Berries turn blue-black well before full sugar development; sample from multiple clusters and wait for the characteristic foxy aroma to intensify before picking.

Our 365-Day Plant Guarantee: We ensure that our plants are delivered to you alive and healthy. If your plant does not survive its first year, you're eligible for store credit under these conditions:

1. Your location falls within the appropriate USDA hardiness zone for the plant variety (refer to our hardiness zone map).
2. You maintain the roots' moisture and plant within three days of delivery, following the instructions in our Planting Guide.

If you're concerned about your plant's health, please consult our guide, How to Tell if Your Tree is Dead or Dormant. Remember, our plants are shipped in a dormant state and may leaf out at different times based on their species. To check for plant vital