31 Best Fruit Trees to Grow In Florida [North and South FL]

The best fruit trees to grow in Florida! Florida is very aptly named the Sunshine State, It offers a unique climate that makes it an ideal location for various fruit trees. Its tropical and subtropical zones, combined with sandy soils, make it suitable for fruits that aren’t commonly grown in many other parts of the US. North and South FL have quite distinct climates, so we will look at each region separately and present you with a list of the best fruit trees for your region.

Here’s a guide to the best fruit trees to grow in Florida!

Growing Fruit Trees In North FL vs South FL

Florida’s diverse climate, extending from the temperate northern regions to the tropical southern zones, offers unique challenges and opportunities for fruit cultivation. Here’s a breakdown of the differences between growing fruit trees in north Florida vs. the south.

Growing In Northern Florida

In the northern regions, encompassing areas like Jacksonville, Tallahassee, and Gainesville, the climate leans towards temperate, with cold winters that can even experience occasional frosts or freezes. This cooler climate offers an opportunity for fruits that require chilling hours – a specific number of hours below 45°F – to break dormancy and produce fruit.

However, this region’s variable winter temperatures can be a challenge. Unpredictable cold snaps following warm periods can jeopardize blossoming fruit trees, potentially reducing yields. Growers in Northern Florida must select fruit tree varieties explicitly bred for the region’s conditions, ensuring they are both cold-hardy and adapted to the fluctuating temperatures.

We’ll look at the best fruit trees for Northern Florida below!

Growing In Southern Florida

Traveling further south to areas like Miami, Key West, and Fort Lauderdale, the climate shifts to a tropical one. This balmy region rarely, if ever, experiences frost, allowing for a whole different array of fruit trees to flourish. Think of tropical treasures like mangoes, starfruits (carambola), and mamey sapote, which thrive in the year-round warmth.

However, the constant warmth also means that fruits requiring chilling hours aren’t suitable for southern regions. Additionally, the threat of hurricanes and salt spray, especially in coastal areas, means growers must ensure their trees are resilient or sheltered.

On the plus side, the extended growing season in Southern Florida allows for multiple fruiting periods for certain species, making it a haven for fruit enthusiasts.

We’ll look at the best fruit trees for Southern FL below!

15 Best Fruit Trees for North Florida

North Florida’s distinct climate, bridging temperate and subtropical zones, creates an interesting canvas for fruit tree cultivation. This region supports the growth of both chill-requiring fruits and those that prefer milder winters. Let’s delve into the 15 best fruit trees ideally suited for North Florida’s climate.

1. ‘Flordaguard’ Peach: A peach variety resistant to root-knot nematodes, ideal for Florida’s sandy soils.
2. ‘Anna’ Apple: A low-chill apple variety that produces sweet, crisp fruit in climates with milder winters.
3. ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple: A versatile apple known for its sweet, juicy flesh. It grows well in cooler parts of Northern Florida.
4. ‘Fuyu’ Persimmon: A non-astringent persimmon that can be eaten while still firm; it produces bright orange fruit.
5. ‘Celeste’ Fig: A small, sweet fig with a rich flavor, often termed the “sugar fig” due to its sweetness.
6. ‘Tifblue’ Blueberry: A rabbiteye blueberry variety known for its firm, flavorful berries and good yield.
7. ‘Brown Turkey’ Fig: A reliable producer with large, sweet fruit that’s great for fresh eating and preserves.
8. ‘Dorsett Golden’ Apple: A low-chill variety that produces crisp, sweet fruit and pairs well with ‘Anna’ for cross-pollination.
9. ‘Methley’ Plum: A self-fertile variety producing juicy, sweet red plums that are great for fresh eating and jam-making.
10. ‘Hood’ Pear: A juicy, soft pear variety resistant to fire blight, a common pear disease.
11. ‘Brooks’ Plum: A large, juicy plum variety known for its disease resistance and excellent flavor.
12. ‘Satsuma‘ Mandarin: Cold-hardy citrus that produces seedless, easy-to-peel fruit with rich flavor.
13. ‘Hosui’ Asian Pear: A brown-skinned pear with a crisp texture, offering a sweet and juicy taste.
14. ‘Black Tartarian’ Cherry: An early-season cherry that produces dark, sweet fruit; however, it’s more experimental in Florida due to its chilling requirements.
15. ‘Flordaking’ Peach: A peach variety suited for the warmest parts of Northern Florida, producing large, juicy fruit.

Don’t miss: Is Mango a citrus fruit?

16 Best Fruit Trees for South Florida

South Florida offers a fruit tree enthusiast’s dream environment. Its consistently mild winters and sun-soaked summers allow it to grow a range of fruit varieties from around the world. This unique tropical and subtropical climate gives rise to some of the juiciest and most exotic fruits. Let’s explore the 16 top fruit trees flourish in South Florida’s lush landscape.

1. ‘Haden’ Lychee: Producing small red fruits with sweet, translucent flesh, this tree requires minimal cold hours.
2. ‘Brooks’ Avocado: A tropical avocado with smooth, creamy flesh; it’s more heat-tolerant than its Hass counterpart.
3. ‘Ruby Supreme’ Guava: Recognized by its pink flesh and sweet aroma, it offers a perfect blend of sweetness and acidity.
4. ‘Florida Gold’ Pineapple: A flavorful variety well-suited to Southern Florida’s warm climate.
5. ‘Duncan’ Grapefruit: A classic, juicy grapefruit that’s sweet with a slight tanginess.
6. ‘Nam Doc Mai’ Mango: A Thai mango variety revered for its sweet, floral flavor and smooth texture.
7. ‘Mauritius’ Lychee: Producing juicy fruits with a floral scent, it’s one of the more consistent bearing lychees.
8. Black Sapote (Chocolate Pudding Fruit): Often referred to as the ‘chocolate pudding fruit’, this tree produces large green fruits that, when ripe, have a smooth, custard-like texture with a flavor reminiscent of chocolate pudding.
9. ‘Glenn’ Mango: A reliable variety with juicy, sweet, and fiberless flesh. It’s also disease-resistant.
10. ‘Mexican’ Key Lime: Producing the famous small, green to yellow limes used in key lime pie.
11. ‘Tommy Atkins’ Mango: Widely grown for its hardy nature and good shelf life, it offers a mildly sweet flavor.
12. ‘Solo’ Papaya: A dwarf variety that yields sweet, aromatic fruit with salmon-pink flesh.
13. ‘Star Ruby’ Grapefruit: Noted for its deep red flesh and sweet-tart flavor, it’s a favorite among grapefruit enthusiasts.
14. ‘Mysore’ Banana: A highly regarded dessert banana with a sweet taste and unique apple-banana aroma.
15. Barbados Cherry (Acerola): A shrubby tree producing small, red cherries packed with vitamin C.
16. Carambola (Star Fruit): A unique tree yielding star-shaped fruit with a crisp texture and a sweet-tart flavor.

What Is the State fruit of Florida?

Florida boasts a rich agricultural heritage, and at the heart of it is the vibrant and juicy orange. Designated as the state fruit in 2005, the orange has become synonymous with Florida’s identity, both domestically and internationally.

The state’s warm climate, ample sunshine, and unique soil composition make it an ideal location for citrus cultivation. Florida’s oranges are not just for eating as whole fruits; the vast majority are processed into orange juice.

In fact, Florida is a powerhouse when it comes to orange juice production, contributing a significant portion of the country’s total output. When people across the U.S. pour a glass of orange juice for their breakfast, there’s a good chance it originated from a Florida grove.

Beyond just agriculture and commerce, the orange has cultural and symbolic significance for Floridians. It represents the state’s sunny weather, vibrant communities, and role as a significant player in the U.S. citrus industry.

From roadside stands offering fresh oranges to tourists to the sprawling groves that dot the landscape, the orange is more than just a fruit in Florida – it symbolizes the state’s prosperity, history, and natural bounty.

Florida’s climate offers a diverse range of possibilities for fruit cultivation. Whether you have a spacious garden or a small backyard, there’s a fruit tree that’s just right for your space. Remember to consider factors like soil quality, water availability, and wind protection when choosing and planting your trees. You’ll enjoy luscious, home-grown fruit in no time with a bit of care!