Tropical fruits you can grow at home
“One of the great perks of living here: you can pick a mango off your own tree.”
One of the genuine joys of gardening in South Florida is that you can grow fruit most of the country only dreams about. Our climate lets backyard gardeners harvest mangoes, avocados, bananas, and a long list of other tropical fruits right outside the door.
Many of these are as ornamental as they are productive, doubling as handsome landscape trees. Here are the tropical fruits you can realistically grow at home in Palm Beach County, and what each one needs.
Mango — the king
The mango is the quintessential South Florida backyard fruit, a large, handsome evergreen tree that produces abundant fruit in early to mid summer. Grafted varieties offer reliable, named fruit, and dwarf and condo selections fit smaller yards.
Mangoes want full sun and good drainage and reward you with one of the great summer harvests. A single tree can produce more fruit than a family can eat, which is a wonderful problem to have.
Avocado — the reliable producer
Florida avocados are larger, glossier, and lower in fat than the familiar Hass, and the trees are vigorous and productive once established. They make a large shade tree, so give them room, and choose a variety suited to dooryard growing.
With the right variety and a sunny spot, an avocado tree provides both abundant fruit and welcome shade. They are among the most dependable backyard tropicals.
Banana and papaya — fast and easy
For quick results, bananas and papayas are hard to beat. Bananas are not trees but fast-growing herbaceous plants that can fruit within a year or so in a warm, sheltered, well-watered spot, and they lend an instant tropical look.
Papaya grows even faster, often fruiting in well under a year from seed, and a couple of plants can keep you in fruit. Both are perfect for impatient gardeners who want a harvest soon.
Mango and avocado for the long game, banana and papaya for fruit within the year.
The exotic standouts
Beyond the staples, our climate supports a wonderful range of exotics. Starfruit (carambola), lychee, longan, sapodilla, sugar apple, and guava all grow here, each offering distinctive flavors you rarely find fresh in stores.
These trees turn a backyard into an edible adventure, and many are beautiful in their own right. Trying one or two exotic fruits is part of the fun of gardening in the subtropics.
Mind cold and space
Most tropical fruits are sensitive to cold, so plant them in the warmest, most protected part of the yard, especially inland where cold settles. Many also become large trees, so check the mature size and give them the room they need.
Choosing varieties suited to your space and microclimate prevents future headaches. A little planning ensures your fruit tree thrives rather than struggles.
Plant for years of harvest
A tropical fruit tree is a long-term gift to your yard and your kitchen, often producing for decades once established. Plant it well, water it through establishment, and feed it appropriately, and it will reward you generously.
We carry fruit trees and tropicals chosen to perform in our area and can help you match a tree to your space. Come pick your backyard fruit with us at the nursery.
Frequently asked questions
What tropical fruits can I grow in South Florida?
Mango, avocado, banana, papaya, starfruit, lychee, longan, sapodilla, sugar apple, and guava all grow well here, given a warm, sunny, well-drained spot.
What is the fastest fruit to grow in Florida?
Papaya and banana are the quickest — papaya can fruit in under a year from seed, and bananas often fruit within a year or so in a warm, well-watered spot.
Do tropical fruit trees need protection from cold?
Yes — most are cold-sensitive, so plant them in the warmest, most sheltered part of the yard, particularly inland where cold air settles.
Grow something delicious.
We stock vegetable starts, herbs, and fruit trees suited to Florida — come pick out what to plant this season.