Best Fruits to Grow in Texas

Did you know that Texas covers nearly 270 thousand square miles?

Our beautiful, expansive state is home to a massive variety of vegetation, from desert shrubs and succulents, to myriad different flowers and grasses, and even a broad variety of fruit trees. 

The tropical southern valleys, lush forests in the east, and humid central Hill Country all create a perfect environment for various fruits to flourish in those particular climates.  .  The question is, which are the best fruits to grow in Texas, and where?

Seasonal Texas Fruits

Texas is best known for its juicy, ruby red grapefruit. Ruby Reds are available every late winter and spring. Additionally lots of other fruits are easily grown and available throughout the year. See the list below for few of the most popular and tasty fruits and berries, that are grown.

Top Ten

1. Apples: July through November – Apples are a popular fruit in much of Texas, and with good a variety  to select from, you can find one that grows well in your area.  Learn how to store apples to keep them fresh.
2. Berries: May through July – Black Berries specifically are among the easiest of all small fruit crops to grow in Texas. They produce well in a wide variety of soils as long as drainage is good. Raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries can be grown in Texas as well, but need special attention.
3. Cherries: June and July – A handful of cherry tree varieties are native to Texas, and grow particularly well in colder weather like in the Texas Panhandle.
4. Figs: June and July, second crop in fall – Figs are well adapted in most of Texas, but freeze damage is a potential concern to look out for.
5. Grapefruit, Oranges & Other Citrus: October through April – One of Texas’s most lucrative products is grown well in the southern Valleys.
6. Grapes: August through October – Texas is the oldest grape growing state and has the third highest grape industry for wines in the U.S.
7. Melons, (cantaloupes, watermelons, and more)!, May through winter, you can see these fruits grown in the south very easily with a warmer climate.
8. Peaches, Plums, Pluots & Nectarines: June through Sept – These trees are great for backyard landscapers designing larger projects, because they do need cross pollination.
9. Pears: August through November – Plant only blight-resistant varieties in Texas. Plant at least two pear varieties to ensure a good fruit set.
10. Pomegranates: October into December. – Pomegranates, attractive as bushy shrubs or small trees, are reasonably well-adapted.

These are just a few of the fruits you can grow. See a complete list of Texas fruits that are recognized by Texas A&M University