Growing your own fruit trees can be a rewarding experience, providing you with delicious, homegrown food and a sense of accomplishment. However, not all fruit trees are created equal, and some are easier to grow than others. In this article, we will explore the 7 easiest fruit trees to grow, perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
Growing your own fruits and vegetables has numerous benefits, including the delicious, homegrown food that you can enjoy with family and friends. However, not all edible plants are beginner-friendly, especially fruit trees, which can be finicky and difficult to manage. To help get you started, we spoke with experts about the easiest ones to grow for beginner and seasoned gardeners alike—along with all the information you’ll need for a successful harvest.
Meet the Experts
Kevin Lenhart, design director and landscape architect at Yardzen
Anna Ohler, owner of Bright Lane Gardens, a boutique plant nursery
Christopher Macy, founder of the Phoenix Food Forest Initiative
Kieffer Pear Tree
Pear trees thrive across a range of different climates and can handle colder temperatures better than many other fruit trees. They also have high yields, making them a great option for beginners. Depending on the size and variety of the pear tree, expect it to bear fruit between three and seven years of age.
Columnar Apple Tree
Columnar apple trees were bred to take up as little space as possible, making them an easy choice for beginners with small gardens. They stay compact, making it easier to keep up with pruning and pest control. These trees may take between two and four years to produce fruit, and some are self-fertilizing, while others will need another variety nearby to pollinate.
Chicago Hardy Fig Tree
Fig trees have strong disease resistance, self-pollinate, and perform well in many climates, particularly hotter ones. Once established, they’re quite drought-tolerant, making them a great option for dry climates. Compared to other fruit trees, fig trees require very little pruning and tend to grow quickly, bearing fruit after about 3 to 5 years of age.
Stanley Prune Plum Tree
The majority of plum tree varieties are hardy and adaptable in most regions. They’re also surprisingly low-maintenance, requiring little pruning and shaping compared to other fruit trees. With steady growth, most plum tree varieties will set fruit after three years, and some will take up to five. Some varieties, like the Stanley plum tree, are self-pollinating, making them an excellent choice for beginners.
Meyer Lemon Tree
Meyer Lemon trees are a top recommendation for indoor fruit trees. These compact and adaptable plants easily fit in large containers and can grow year-round indoors—or they can be grown outside and brought back in during cold winters. When well cared for, most Meyer lemon trees will produce fruit after two years, and they are self-pollinating, so you only need to have one to successfully set fruit.
Pakistan Mulberry Tree
There are many reasons why the Pakistan mulberry is great for beginners. It handles extreme heat and cold and is drought- and pest-resistant. It’s also self-pollinating, grows rapidly, and produces abundant fruit within two to three years. The Pakistan mulberry is great for creating shade for companion plants and can reach up to 4 inches long.
American Elderberry
The American elderberry is native to most of the central and eastern parts of North America, as far north as Canada and as far south as Texas. Native plants are naturally lower maintenance and easier to care for because they have adapted specifically to thrive in their climate and environment. Elderberries are known for their disease resistance, making them a great option for beginners.
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