Best Fruit Trees That Grow Well in Texas – Perfect for Small Backyards

There are many best fruit trees that grow well in Texas, such as peaches, figs, etc. However, being the second biggest state in the US, Texas has different climate zones for fruit trees. 

Therefore, you have to choose the right tree based on the area you’re living in (where you want to grow fruit trees in Texas).

In the post, I’ll mention the ten best fruit trees that grow well in Texas. And the good thing is that you won’t need acres, not even a front lawn.

I’ve selected fruit trees and their varieties that are absolutely fine with your small backyard. 

You can even squeeze them in a couple smartly along a fence line or even grow them in containers.

 

Understand Texas’s Fruit Growing Conditions in Your Area

As I said, Texas is a huge state, and that’s why the climate zones for fruit trees differ at every corner. 

Most parts of Texas state fall into USDA Hardiness Zones for Texas, which means winters are cold in the north but mild in the south.

Summers are generally hot, but sometimes brutally hot, especially in central and southern parts. 

For example, in south Texas, you can grow fruits that need long, hot seasons and don’t tolerate frost well, like lime, lemon, and other citrus.

On the other hand, the north Texas area is too cold in winter, so you can grow trees that can handle freezes, such as apples, pears, and certain plum or some peach varieties.

Central Texas is kind of mixed. You’ll get heat, but sometimes cold, too.

So yeah, you can grow some summer fruits and some cold-hardy ones here, like peaches, plums, and even blackberries, but you’ve got to choose the right variety. (I’ll help you)

Besides this, soil and humidity levels vary too in Texas, so what grows in east Texas may not work in the west.

That’s why knowing your own local climate and soil type will help you avoid wasting time on fruit trees that won’t survive or produce well.

Also read: Best Edible Plants to Grow in Florida

Choose the Right Fruit Tree for Your Space and Region

You need to select the right fruit tree for small spaces in Texas that fits your space. 

If you have a small backyard, then grow dwarf or semi-dwarf trees—many of them stay compact but still give full harvests.

Besides this, You can even grow some in large containers if needed.

If your area has partial shade, please skip the sun-hungry types of fruit trees, like most citrus or figs. 

Instead, consider options that can handle a bit of shade, such as certain plums or pears.

And yeah, the growing region still matters—but more in terms of what fits within your space and microclimate.

Like if you live in a warm area but have limited chill hours, then you shouldn’t plant a tree that needs 800 chill hours. (You’ll only waste time)

• For dry, exposed areas—look for drought-tough trees.
• For wetter zones—go with disease-resistant ones.

 

Top 10 Fruit Trees That Grow Well in Texas (Backyard-Friendly Picks)

Here are the 10 best fruit trees for Texas backyards that grow well in Texas. T

they’re perfect for small gardens, patios, or little backyard corners.

For each fruit tree, I will also give you a variety, but you can also choose based on your preference:

1. Peach Tree

I personally love eating peaches, and their plants love the Texas growing conditions, especially in Central and North Texas. 

However, don’t go to the market or an online shop and pick up any random peach variety.

You should be careful about that and choose low-chill varieties if you’re further south.

• Best Varieties: I recommend varieties like ‘Harvester,’ ‘June Gold,’ ‘Texstar,’ and ‘Florida Prince.’ 
• Chill Hours: It can range from anywhere between 150 to 800 based on a variety
• Harvest Time: Late May to early July
• Soil Tips: They prefer well-drained sandy loam soil, and you want to avoid heavy clay

You’d have to provide full sun and take care of the plant like you can do pruning yearly for good airflow. 

Besides this, you want to watch out for borers and brown rot.

 

2. Fig Tree

The fig tree is not very big. When I was a kid, around 8 or 10 years old in 2009, my neighbor had this. 

And I have eaten a lot of figs from that tree. So, you can grow it by eating raw or dry it; it’s really beneficial for health.

Most Importantly, this tree loves almost all zones in Texas. 

So, it doesn’t matter where you are living, you can have it.

Plus, they can also handle bad soil and still keep producing a good amount of food.

• Best Varieties: I recommend ‘Celeste,’ ‘Texas Everbearing,’ ‘Brown Turkey.’
• Harvest Time: They’re ready from Mid to late summer.
• Soil Tips: That’s the good thing is they can easily tolerant poor soil; you just need to make sure drainage

You can see when the soil near the root gets dry, and then you can water it using a bucket or something else.

By the way, my neighbors sometimes used to give it wastewater, too—like leftover water from washing veggies or rice.

One more thing, you also wanna keep watching birds, as they often end up stealing the fruits.

 

3. Pomegranate

If you’re living in West or South Texas, then I would suggest you grow pomegranate trees for Texas.

They grow well out there since they love the heat.

Besides that, they’re drought-resistant, look amazing, and, of course—pomegranate is a juicy fruit and good for health. I love it.

• Best Varieties: You can grow any, but I prefer ‘Wonderful,’ ‘A.C. Sweet,’ ‘Austin.’
• Harvest Time: Late summer to early fall
• Soil Tips: They love sandy or loamy soils

As I said, pomegranates love to heat, so you’d want to plant it in your backyard, or somewhere they can get around 6 hours of direct sunlight.

Besides this, you’d want to prune them slightly for shape and also watch for insects.

 

4. Plum Tree

Plum trees are one of the fastest-growing fruit trees in Texas, and yeah—they’re super productive. 

Besides that, they also need pollination to actually bear fruit.

• Best Varieties: You can grow types like ‘Methley,’ ‘Bruce,’ ‘Santa Rosa.’
• Harvest Time: May to June.
• Soil Tips: They love slightly acidic, well-draining soil—nothing too heavy or soggy.

Also, keep in mind they need cross-pollination (so you’d want to plant at least two different varieties nearby). 

Plus, make sure to thin the fruits early on—because if you don’t, the heavy load will easily snap the branches, which isn’t good for your plant’s growth.

 

5. Persimmon

If you’re looking for something low-maintenance to grow in Texas, persimmon is a good choice. 

It’s sweet—especially the non-astringent types like ‘Fuyu’ that you can eat even when they’re still firm.

You can grow it in small spaces too, like in your backyard or even front yard if it gets full sun.

• Best Varieties: You can have ‘Fuyu,’ ‘Eureka,’ and Texas Persimmon’ (a native plant that grows in Texas)
• Harvest Time: Late fall
• Soil Tips: It’s very adaptable; just avoid standing water; good drainage is important.

They need full sun and minimal pruning, but yeah—you wanna watch for early fruit drop in the first few years.

 

6. Apple Tree

Yes, you read that right:

You can grow apples in Texas, but only if you pick the right type, like a heat-tolerant, low-chill variety. 

Not all apples can handle the Texas weather, so variety really matters here.

• Best Varieties: ‘Anna,’ ‘Dorsett Golden,’ ‘Ein Shemer’ These types of apples do well with fewer chill hours.
• Chill Hours: around 300–400 hours.
• Harvest Time: June to August
• Soil Tips: They prefer loamy, well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7.

They need a pollination partner (so don’t plant just one); pruning is best done in winter, and yeah—keep an eye out for fire blight; it’s a common issue with apple fruit trees.

 

7. Pear Tree

This is a great plant that grows really well in Central and North Texas.

It’s heat-hardy and long-lived. 

Pears are pretty easy-going once you get them established, and honestly, they don’t need a lot of care from you.

• Best Varieties: I recommend ‘Orient,’ ‘Kieffer,’ and ‘Moonglow.’
• Harvest Time: August to September
• Soil Tips: They are slightly acidic to neutral soil.

Pear needs a second tree for best fruiting. 

And even though they have strong branches, you’d still want to thin the fruit—just so the tree doesn’t get overloaded.

 

8. Mulberry Tree

It’s quite an underrated fruit that many people do not grow; maybe they don’t know that they can grow mulberry fruit trees in Texas. 

It’s a fast-growing tree, super low-maintenance, and great for kids—they can snack straight off the branches. 

Plus, birds go absolutely nuts for them, so if you plant one, expect visitors.

• Best Varieties: ‘Pakistan’ and ‘Illinois Everbearing’ are solid picks—both do well in Texas heat.
• Harvest Time: Late spring
• Soil Tips: It’s a pretty forgiving fruit tree; just make sure the spot drains well.

It grows fast (like, really fast), so you want to plant it away from driveways or patios because the fruit stains when it drops. 

Besides this, you’ll also want to prune to keep it from getting too wild and to control the height.

 

9. Loquat

Loquat is a perfect fruit tree for East and South Texas. 

It flowers in late winter and fruits in spring, which is super early if we compare it to most fruit trees, which is kinda cool.

• Best Varieties: ‘Big Jim’ and ‘Champagne’ are popular and reliable choices to grow.
• Harvest Time: March to May
• Soil Tips: They also love slightly acidic soil with good drainage.

Loquat are sensitive to freezing, so yeah—if temps drop below 25°F, you will have to cover them, especially when they’re young or during flowering time.

 

10. Lemon Tree (in Pots)

You won’t really get away with planting this in-ground unless you’re living in deep South Texas. 

But can you grow them in pots? Well, it’s totally doable across most zones in Texas.

• Best Varieties: ‘Improved Meyer’ and ‘Ponderosa’ are great choices for container gardening in Texas.
• Harvest Time: Nearly year-round if you keep them indoors, or late summer if you’re growing outdoors.
• Soil Tips: You should use a citrus-specific potting mix with good drainage.

You’ll have to move the pots indoors during freezes, fertilize them monthly, and make sure they get at least 8 hours of sunlight a day.

 

How to Plant Fruit Trees the Right Way in Texas

Simply picking the right fruit trees for Texas and digging a hole to toss in a sapling is not enough if you actually want your plant to survive long-term in Texas soil.

You have to work with your soil and climate and plan ahead. Here’s the gardening guide to follow:

• Dig Wide, Not Deep: the hole should be 2–3x wider than the root ball of your plant and about the same depth.
• Don’t Bury the Graft Union: That little bump near the base stays above the soil, so don’t cover it.
• Mulch Smart: You need to lay mulch 2 to 4 inches deep, but don’t pile it right up against the trunk— you want to leave some space.
• Water Schedule: The first year of your fruit tree is important. So, you’d want to give your plant a deep soak weekly, especially during the summer heat.

 

Pruning, Watering & Year-Round Care for Texas Fruit Trees

This is where most new gardeners mess up. 

Either they over-love their trees (like they provide way too much water, thinking it’ll grow faster), or they completely forget their plants when July hits.

Here’s how to keep it simple and right:

• Pruning: The best time for pruning is in late winter before the new growth starts. You will have to cut off any crossing branches, dead wood, or anything that is growing straight up or inwards.
• Watering: You need to go for deep soaks instead of frequent light sprinkles. Also, you should adjust watering depending on how much rain you’re getting.
• Fertilizing: You should use a balanced fertilizer in early spring. If you’re growing citrus, you can give it more nitrogen; fruit tree plants are heavier feeders.
• Pest/Disease Watch: As we say, Privation is better than cure, so you always want to stay ahead of problems. Fire blight on apples, peach leaf curls, and borers are all common in Texas. So, you should use neem oil or dormant spray as a preventative, especially during the dormant season.

If you stick to this rhythm, which I have mentioned, your trees will grow properly.

 

Container Fruit Trees – Yes, It’s a Real Option in Texas

If you don’t have a large space like a yard to grow fruit trees in Texas, then don’t worry.

Many trees that I mentioned, especially citrus, figs, and even dwarf apples, are perfect for growing fruit trees in containers in Texas.

However, you need to keep a few things in mind for better results, here are they:

• You should use at least 15–20 gallon pots; too small pots aren’t good for growing fruit plants in Texas, especially those mentioned. Too small are okay for growing vegetables. 
• You should always go for dwarf or patio varieties because too many varieties of single-fruit plants exist.
• There must be some drainage holes in your pot or container. 
• Always consider using lightweight potting mix + compost mix. 
• Fertilize more often than in-ground trees (nutrients flush out faster)

These fruit trees that grow well in Texas are even perfect for your patios, balconies, or anywhere you’ve got some sun and space. 

 

Common Challenges When Growing Fruit Trees in Texas

Growing fruit trees in Texas or anywhere else isn’t always easy, especially for beginners. 

A lot of people get excited at first but then run into these common issues:

• Sudden Freezes: Look, South Texas might feel warm most of the year, but freak freezes can wipe out your tropical trees overnight. You should cover the plant, choose the one that can survive it, or plant any fruit tree in a safe place. 
• Poor Soil Drainage: Especially if you’re living in a clay-heavy area. If your roots can’t breathe, they’ll rot fast.
• Lack of Chill Hours: What if you plant apples or peaches that just won’t bloom? So, you would want to check your chill zone first.
• Pests: You always want to be ready for squirrels, birds, aphids, borers, etc., because you’re not the only one who wants that fruit.
• Overwatering: I have mentioned it before, too; too much water will cause root rot. Especially if the planting spot isn’t drainage well or if you’re loving the tree a little too much.

Also read: Growing Vegetables in Plastic Bottles

Final Thoughts

Texas is not very good, but also not too poor for gardening; you can grow anything there.

All that you need is to choose the right tree for your zone (as I’ve mentioned 10), plus, you’ll have to give them some space and care.

If you do all these right, then you can grow anything, anywhere, like peaches in your backyard, lemons on your patio, or mulberries to eat in summer. 

Texas is good for gardening and has a way to make that possible if you follow the right steps. 

 

FAQs: Fruit Trees That Grow Well in Texas

Here are some important questions about growing fruit trees in Texas. If you’ve any questions, you can also ask me.

Do Citrus Trees Grow Well in Texas?

Yes, many citrus trees grow very well in Texas, especially in South and Central Texas, where winters are mild. 

Some Popular varieties I recommend are Meyer Lemon, Ruby Red Grapefruit, and Valencia Orange. 

You can buy them from local nurseries or online from Texas-based suppliers like Bob Wells Nursery or Urban Harvest. 

However, if you’re living in North Texas, you should go for container citrus trees so you can protect them from winter freezes.

 

What is the Best Time to Plant Fruit Trees in Texas?

The best time to plant fruit trees in Texas is in late winter to early spring; it typically starts from January through March. 

This gives the tree time to establish roots before the summer season hits. 

Fall is also a good time, especially if you want to do container gardening in Texas, as the cooler weather helps reduce transplant shock.

 

What is the Easiest Fruit Tree to Grow in Texas?

Fig trees are the easiest fruit trees to grow in Texas. 

Besides this, they’re very low maintenance; they can tolerate heat and drought, and you won’t have to do too much pruning. 

If you grow them, you can try Celeste and Texas Everbearing; they’ll do well, especially in most parts of the Texas state, even with minimal care.

 

What are the Easiest Fruit Trees to Grow?

The easiest fruit trees to grow are figs, pomegranates, mulberries, and persimmons. 

These trees can easily adapt well to different soils in Texas, handle heat and drought, and resist most pests and diseases. 

They’re even perfect if you’re a beginner who wants to have a low-effort backyard garden in Texas.

 

What Fruit is Texas Known for Growing?

Texas is commonly known for growing peaches, particularly some varieties like the Hill Country region and Ruby Red Grapefruit from the Rio Grande Valley. 

Besides this, figs and pecans are also very popular, along with strawberries and blackberries, in smaller gardens and farms.