Central Florida has a sub-tropical climate that is excellent for growing a variety of fruits. Here are our top five choices for easy-to-grow productive fruits for your home landscape.

 

Pineapple

Pineapples can be grown and fruit in as little as 18 months. Plant pineapple tops from the pineapples you buy from the grocery store or find pineapple cultivars that do well in Florida in local nurseries specializing in edible plants such as “Florida Special” and “Sugarloaf”. Pineapples can be planted around trees and in landscape beds and are also well-adapted to planting in a container.

Scientific name: Ananas comosus

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11

Cold hardiness: Pineapple plants do not tolerate freezing temperatures below 28°F

Propagate by: pineapple tops, division

For more info see:
Growing Pineapple in the Home Landscape

 

Banana

Bananas like a moist organic soil. They are like the elephants of the plant world and like lots of food and water. Mulch heavily, fertilize several times a year, and water frequently to maximize banana production.

Scientific name: Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana, most plants are a hybrid of these two species

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9 – 11

Cold hardiness: Temperatures below 28°F may kill plants to the ground, but they will often resprout from the underground rhizomes.

Propagate by: division

For more info see:

Growing Banana in the Home Landscape

 

 

Papaya

Papaya is a fast-growing herbaceous plant. It can fruit in less than a year from seed. It has large tropical leaves and fits well into an edible landscape. Papayas need full sun, at least 6 hours per day. They like regular watering but will rot if their roots stay wet for too long. They are not cold-hardy and often do not regrow after a freeze. They prefer hot weather to thrive. The fruit size depends on the variety. For smaller fruits choose solo-types.

Scientific name: Carica papaya

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9b – 11

Cold hardiness: Papaya plants do not tolerate freezing temperatures below 32°F

Propagate by: seed

For more info see:

Papaya Growing in the Home Landscape

 

Avocado

Avocado trees are a great choice to plant in Florida because they thrive in warm, humid climates, mature quickly, and produce abundant amounts of fruit. Grafted avocado trees can start producing fruit within 3 – 4 years of planting. Prune avocado trees to 12 – 15 feet to maximize production and for ease of harvesting. Be aware of laurel wilt disease and scout regularly for the Ambrosia beetle that spreads the disease. There are about 50 different avocado varieties grown in Florida. Choose Mexican-types if you live further north, as they can withstand below-freezing temperatures.

Scientific name: Persea americana

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8 – 11

Cold hardiness: Depending on the race and cultivar, avocado trees can withstand temperatures into the 20’s°F

Propagate by: grafting

For more info see:

Avocado Growing in the Home Landscape 

 

Mango

Mango is called the queen of the fruits because of its beautiful color and rich, delicious flavor. It is in the poison ivy family, so be careful when handling the plant and fruit if your skin is sensitive. Mangos bloom from December to April and are pollinated by bees and other insects. Similar to avocado, prune the tree to a height no taller than 15′ for ease of harvesting. 

Scientific name: Mangifera indica

USDA Hardiness Zones: 10a – 11

Cold hardiness: Mature mango trees are cold-hardy to 25°F, and young trees to 30°F, but temperatures below 40°F will kill flowers and fruit. 

Propagate by: grafting

For more info see:

Mango Growing in the Home Landscape

 

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