Dreaming of a backyard orchard but don’t want to wait years for fresh fruit?
According to the National Gardening Association’s 2022 National Gardening Survey, an estimated 80 percent of American households are engaging in some form of gardening, which is a five-year high1.
With these 16 speedy growers, you can join the trend and enjoy homegrown apples, peaches, figs and more in record time.
1. Peach Tree (Prunus persica)
Fruit in: 2-4 years
Mature size: 12-25 ft tall, 12-20 ft wide
Peach lovers rejoice! These stone fruit superstars can produce a bounty of sweet, fuzzy fruit in as little as 2 years. Dwarf varieties like ‘Bonanza’ stay compact at 5-6 ft, perfect for small spaces or container growing.
Peach trees thrive in full sun and well-draining soil. Prune annually to maintain shape and promote airflow which helps prevent disease. With minimal care, you’ll be baking peach cobblers and canning preserves in no time.
2. Fig Tree (Ficus carica)
Fruit in: 1-2 years
Mature size: 10-30 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
Fig trees are vigorous growers that can yield sweet fruit the year after planting. Varieties like ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Chicago Hardy’ can even withstand temperatures down to 10°F, expanding their range beyond warm climates.
Figs aren’t picky and will grow happily in average soil. Prune in late winter to control size and stimulate new growth which bears the ripest fruit. With their attractive foliage and fast growth, fig trees make an eye-catching addition to the landscape.
3. Apple Tree (Malus domestica)
Fruit in: 2-5 years
Mature size: 6-25 ft tall, 4-25 ft wide
While standard apple trees can take 8+ years to fruit, dwarf and semi-dwarf varieties speed up the process considerably. Compact cultivars like ‘Gala,’ ‘Fuji,’ and ‘Honeycrisp’ can produce crisp apples in as little as 2-3 years when grown on dwarfing rootstocks.
Apple trees need another variety nearby for cross-pollination, so plan to plant at least two.
4. Mulberry Tree (Morus spp.)
Fruit in: 2-3 years
Mature size: 30-80 ft tall, 20-60 ft wide
Mulberry trees are vigorous growers, shooting up 2.5 ft per year. Some varieties can even bear sweet, blackberry-like fruit the first year after planting. Enjoy fresh mulberries by the handful or bake them into tarts and jams.
Choose a sunny spot with room to grow, as unpruned mulberry trees can reach 80 ft tall. Dwarf cultivars like ‘Dwarf Everbearing’ stay a manageable 12-15 ft.
5. Lemon Tree (Citrus limon)
Fruit in: 1-2 years
Mature size: 10-20 ft tall, 4-12 ft wide
Pucker up, because homegrown lemons can be yours in a flash! Dwarf varieties like ‘Improved Meyer’ and ‘Eureka’ can produce tart-sweet fruit the year after planting. In cold climates, grow dwarf lemons in pots and overwinter indoors.
Lemon trees crave full sun and well-draining soil. Water deeply and regularly, especially during fruit development. Fertilize citrus in spring and summer with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. With a little TLC, you’ll be sipping lemonade from your own tree in no time.
6. Apricot Tree (Prunus armeniaca)
Fruit in: 2-5 years
Mature size: 15-25 ft tall, 15-25 ft wide
Apricot trees are eager to please, often fruiting just 2-3 years after planting. Enjoy the sweet-tart fruits fresh, dried, or turned into jams and baked goods. Compact varieties like ‘Pixie-cot’ are perfect for small gardens.
7. Plum Tree (Prunus spp.)
Fruit in: 3-6 years
Mature size: 12-20 ft tall, 12-20 ft wide
Plum trees offer a delicious harvest in just a few short years. Japanese varieties like ‘Methley’ and ‘Santa Rosa’ fruit faster than European plums. Dwarf cultivars stay compact while still yielding full-size fruit.
Plant plums in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Japanese plums are self-fruitful, but European types need a pollinator.
8. Nectarine Tree (Prunus persica var. nucipersica)
Fruit in: 2-4 years
Mature size: 12-15 ft tall, 12-15 ft wide
Nectarines are a fuzz-free cousin of the peach, with smooth skin and sweet, juicy flesh. Dwarf varieties like ‘Mericrest’ and ‘Nectar Babe’ fruit in just 2-3 years, perfect for smaller spaces.
9. Pomegranate Tree (Punica granatum)
Fruit in: 2-3 years
Mature size: 12-20 ft tall, 12-20 ft wide
Pomegranate trees are both ornamental and fruitful, with showy red flowers and tart-sweet fruits filled with juicy arils. Varieties like ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Sweet’ can yield fruit in just 2-3 years.
Plant pomegranates in full sun and well-draining soil. They’re drought-tolerant once established but benefit from regular watering during fruit development.
10. Pear Tree (Pyrus spp.)
Fruit in: 4-6 years
Mature size: 15-20 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
While pear trees may take a bit longer to fruit than some other speedy growers, dwarf varieties like ‘Bartlett’ and ‘Bosc’ can still yield sweet, juicy pears in 4-6 years. Asian pears fruit even faster, often in just 3-4 years.
Plant pears in full sun and well-draining soil. Most varieties need a pollinator, so plant at least two.
11. Cherry Tree (Prunus spp.)
Fruit in: 4-7 years
Mature size: 15-30 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
While sweet cherries can take up to 7 years to fruit, dwarf varieties like ‘Stella’ and ‘North Star’ speed up the process to 4-5 years. Tart cherries like ‘Montmorency’ fruit even faster, often in just 3-4 years.
Plant cherries in full sun and well-draining soil. Sweet cherries need a pollinator, while tart types are self-fruitful.
12. Banana Plant (Musa spp.)
Fruit in: 10-15 months
Mature size: 6-25 ft tall, 6-12 ft wide
While not technically a tree, banana plants are speedy fruiters that can yield bunches of sweet, creamy bananas in just 10-15 months. Dwarf varieties like ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ and ‘Dwarf Red’ are perfect for smaller spaces or container growing.
Grow bananas in full sun to part shade and rich, well-draining soil. Water regularly and fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer. In cold climates, grow bananas in pots and bring indoors for winter. With their fast growth and tropical flair, banana plants are a fun choice for the impatient gardener.
13. Avocado Tree (Persea americana)
Fruit in: 3-4 years (grafted)
Mature size: 30-40 ft tall, 20-30 ft wide
While avocado trees grown from seed can take 10+ years to fruit, grafted varieties like ‘Hass’ and ‘Fuerte’ can yield buttery avocados in just 3-4 years. Dwarf cultivars stay compact while still producing full-size fruit.
With their fast growth and heart-healthy fruit, avocado trees are a nutritious choice for the impatient gardener.
14. Guava Tree (Psidium guajava)
Fruit in: 3-4 years
Mature size: 10-30 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
Guava trees are fast growers that can yield sweet, musky fruits in just 3-4 years. Enjoy the vitamin C-rich fruits fresh, or turn them into jams, jellies, and baked goods. Dwarf varieties like ‘Red Malaysian’ stay compact while still fruiting heavily.
Plant guavas in full sun and well-draining soil. Water regularly, especially during fruit development.
15. Papaya Tree (Carica papaya)
Fruit in: 6-12 months
Mature size: 10-15 ft tall, 6-10 ft wide
Papaya trees are one of the fastest fruiters around, often yielding sweet, buttery fruits within a year of planting. Enjoy the vitamin-rich fruits fresh, or add them to smoothies and tropical dishes.
16. Passion Fruit Vine (Passiflora edulis)
Fruit in: 6-12 months
Mature size: 15-20 ft long
Passion fruit vines are vigorous climbers that can yield tart-sweet, aromatic fruits in as little as 6 months. Enjoy the juicy pulp fresh, or use it to flavor drinks, desserts, and sauces.
Grow passion fruit in full sun and well-draining soil. Provide a sturdy trellis or fence for support. Water regularly and fertilize monthly with a balanced fertilizer. In cold climates, grow passion fruit in pots and bring indoors for winter.
Fast Fruit for Every Taste Bud
With these 16 speedy fruiters, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest without the long wait. Whether you crave crisp apples, juicy peaches, or exotic passion fruit, there’s a fast-growing tree or vine for every taste. Happy planting, and bon appétit!
Source:
1. AP News article
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.