15 Fast-Growing Fruit Trees That Will Yield a Delicious Harvest in No Time - Martha Stewart

While fruit trees aren’t necessarily known for their fast-growing capabilities—it can typically take between three and seven years before they become established enough to produce fruit—some varieties mature faster than others. When shopping for fast-growing fruit trees, the pros recommend looking for "self-fruitful" trees, which are varieties that don’t require cross-pollination or pollinators to produce fruit—you’ll get to savor your favorite fruits more quickly this way.

As a bonus, many of the trees on this list do well in containers as well as the ground, which means that even if you don’t live in one of the USDA hardiness zones where these trees thrive, you can still enjoy them year-round by moving them inside when temperatures begin to drop.

• Lara Hermanson, principal and co-owner of Farmscape, California’s largest food-focused, sustainable landscaping company
• Vernic Popat, CFO of PlantOGram.com, a company that specializes in sending fruit trees as gifts

Citrus Trees

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If you live in California, much of the southwestern part of the United States, Florida, or Alabama, Lara Hermanson, principal and co-owner of Farmscape, says that citrus trees may be a great option for you. "I love growing orange, clementine, lemon, and kumquat trees in our farmscapes," she says of some of the sweet and tart varieties that fit under that banner.  

• Zone: 8 to 11
• Mature Size: 20 feet tall (although dwarf varieties can top out at 10 feet)
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 3 to 6 years for ground planted, 2 to 3 for dwarf varieties in pots

Loquat Trees

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These trees are another variety that is well suited to southern growers, according to Hermanson. Also known as Eriobotrya japonica, loquat trees produce orange fruit, and their leaves are commonly used to make tea. 

• Zone: 8 to 11
• Mature Size: 5 to 6 feet tall (although larger varieties can reach up to 35 feet)
• Sun: 6 hours of full, direct sunlight
  
• Fruit Bearing Time: 1 to 2 years if grafted or air-layered

Columnar Apple Trees

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These trees are different from their non-columnar counterparts because they grow fruiting spurs along the central part of the tree’s trunk. That means they grow more upright than sprawling varieties, which tend to produce long branches that hang toward the ground. "Columnar apples are crisp and juicy with a balance of sweetness and acidity, making them excellent for snacking, baking, and sauces," Popat says. 

Just make sure you have more than one of these if you want to get to experience those delicious apples. Popat says they often require cross-pollination with another apple variety.

• Zone: 4 to 9
• Mature Size: 8 to 12 feet
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: Approximately 1 year

Mango

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Mango trees are lush, tropical staples that produce juicy, sweet fruits, says Vernic Popat, the CFO of PlantOGram.com. "Mango trees thrive in full sun and require well-drained soil to prevent root issues," she says.

• Zone: 10 to 11
• Mature Size: 15 to 20 feet tall in the ground and 8 to 10 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 1 to 2 years if grafted

Peach Trees

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This self-pollinating fruit is such a beloved one that one state actually uses the fruit as part of its nickname (it’s Georgia)! "Peaches offer a juicy, sweet, and slightly tart flavor with a fragrant aroma, perfect for fresh eating, desserts, and canning," Popat says. 

• Zone: 4 to 10
• Mature Size: 5 to 25 feet
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 2 years

Guava Trees

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These evergreen trees are known for the sweet and tangy pink fruit that typically has a pink center and a green outer layer. Guava trees thrive in warmer regions; they don't tolerate frost at all, Hermanson says.

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Mature Size: 5 to 6 feet tall (although larger varieties can reach up to 30 feet)
• Sun: 8 to 10 hours of full, direct sunlight
  
• Fruit Bearing Time: 2 to 4 years

Asian Pear Trees

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Growing Asian pear trees will give you access to these delicious fruits, which can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. "Asian pears are known for their crisp texture and a sweet, melon-like flavor when ripe, making them refreshing to eat raw or in salads,” Popat says. Plant your Asian pear tree near another variety of pear—they require cross-pollination with another pear variety for best fruit production.

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 12 to 20 feet
• Sun: 8+ hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 2 to 5 years
  

Lychee

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Another regionally evergreen tree, Popat says that lychee offers growers beautiful foliage and sweet, aromatic fruits. "They perform best with full sun to partial shade and need protection from wind," she says.

• Zone: 10 to 11
• Mature Size: 10 to 15 feet tall in the ground and 8 to 10 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 1 to 2 years if air-layered

Avocado

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Enjoy fresh-picked avocado for your guacamole or toast by growing an avocado tree. "Avocado trees are valued for their nutritious fruits," Popat says. "They require full sun and regular watering to thrive."

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Mature Size: 15 to 20 feet tall in the ground and 6 to 10 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 hours of full, direct sunlight
  
• Fruit Bearing Time: 1 to 2 years if grafted

Barbados Cherry

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Also known as an "acerola" cherry, this tree is an easy-to-grow variety that does well in the ground or a container. "Barbados cherry trees are notable for their high Vitamin C content," Popat says, adding that they prefer partial sun and are quite adaptable to different soil types. 

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Mature Size: 10 to 12 feet tall in the ground and 6 to 8 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 2 to 3 years

Carambola

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Carambola trees (also known as star fruit) are known for their distinctively shaped fruits and refreshing flavor, according to Popat. While they enjoy full sun to partial shade, Popat says that they require regular pruning to maintain health.

• Zone: 10 to 11
• Mature Size: 10 to 15 feet tall in the ground and 6 to 10 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
  
• Fruit Bearing Time: 3 to 4 years

Dragon Fruit

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"Dragon fruit plants are actually cacti that produce stunningly beautiful fruits,” Popat says, noting that they need a trellis for support when being grown in the ground or a container. 

• Zone: 10 to 11
• Mature Size: 10 to 15 feet tall in the ground and 5 to 6 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 2 to 3 years

Goji Berry

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"Goji berry plants are superfoods, offering health benefits along with sweet, red berries," says Popat. Plant your goji berry tree in full sun for the best fruit production. 

• Zone: 5 to 9
• Mature Size: 6 to 8 feet tall in the ground and 4 to 6 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 1 to 2 years

Passion Fruit

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Passion fruit vines produce aromatic fruits that are a favorite for juices and desserts, according to Popat, who says that they need ample support for climbing. 

• Zone: 9 to 11
• Mature Size: 10 to 15 feet tall in the ground and 6 to 8 feet in pots
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: 1 to 3 years

Fig Trees

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These self-pollinating trees have an interesting backstory since most of them require help from a wasp to produce fruit. "Figs have a unique, sweet taste, often described as a blend of honey and berry, with a soft, chewy texture interspersed with crunchy seeds," says Popat.

• Zone: 7 to 12
• Mature Size: 15 to 30 feet
• Sun: 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight
• Fruit Bearing Time: About 1 year

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15 Fast-Growing Fruit Trees That Will Yield a Delicious Harvest in No Time - Martha Stewart
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