Best Drought-Tolerant Fruit Plants
Looking to grow some fruit, but you like in a dry place? You’re going to want to explore some drought-tolerant fruit plants that will thrive in that climate.
The good news is, there are plenty of mouthwatering options to play around with. Whether you want to opt for something you’re familiar with, or you want to try something completely new, there are drought-tolerant plants for everyone.
Once you understand your climate, you can start gaining an understanding of what you can grow, and what you can’t. For example, if you live in a dry climate, a lot of apples and pear trees probably aren’t going to be a great choice. You may also need to say goodbye to the idea of growing your own persimmons or bananas, unless you have a suitable greenhouse at your disposal.
Don’t feel like reading the whole article? Some of the best drought-tolerant fruit plants include pomegranates, figs, grapes, prickly pears, and date palms. There are plenty of other fantastic options to look at, but these surely take the cake.
Drought Tolerant Fruit Plants
You might be surprised by how many fruit plants are drought-tolerant. Not only that, but they are absolutely delicious, so you probably won’t be able to get enough of them.
Below, we will go through some of the best plants you should consider growing if you live in a dry climate. At the end, we’ll also include a few honourable mentions, because this is in no way a definitive list, and we encourage you to explore different fruits.
Pomegranates Thrive in Dry Conditions
Pomegranates are known for their importance in mythology. However, these perennial plants thrive in long, hot summers with minimal water. They are grown on small trees (or large shrubs, depending on how you look at it), and offer some truly delightful fruit.
You might even start attracting the local wildlife if you adorn your garden with these trees. Hummingbirds have a particular affinity for the flowers, so if that isn’t reason enough to grow this plant, we don’t know what is.
Figs Don’t Like Too Much Water
Figs are fantastic drought-tolerant fruit that thrive in all those super sunny spots in your garden. While they do still require some level of watering per week, they will outlive most other fruit trees in the same scenario.
If you have never had the pleasure of trying a fig, you’re really missing out. This versatile fruit is sweet and juicy, and something everyone needs to experience at least once.
Drought-Tolerant Fruit We All Love – Grapes
Wine grapes (common grapes) are a special kind of entity when it comes to drought-tolerant fruit plants. Even plants grown in Napa, California thrive in their dry, drought-like conditions and never reach lethal low water levels.
If you want to grow your own grapes, be sure to plant them somewhere that is shielded by strong winds. As these are vines, you need to take extra care to make sure they don’t detach or break due to extreme weather.
Prickly Pears
As a personal favourite, prickly pears are highly underrated. They are part of the cactus family, and love full sun – just like most other cacti. Prickly pears are called “tuna” in Latin America, and the plants produce fruit that you can pluck when ripe.
Colours vary from greenish oranges to bright pinks and yellows, depending on the variety. The great thing is, you can enjoy both the fruit and the pads (or nopales) of these cacti to create truly delicious meals.
Date Palms – the Ultimate Drought-Tolerant Fruit Plants
Not only is the date palm a drought-tolerant fruit plant, but it’s salt-tolerant, too! These trees can grow to impressive heights of around 23 metres, and can live for upwards of 100 years in the right conditions.
It’s hard to come by a fruit plant that will thrive in dry conditions like the date palm can. Dates are high in nutrients and vitamins, and are a staple in many parts of the world. If you grow your own, you can reap the rewards of this versatile and delicious fruit, too.
Final Thoughts on Drought-Tolerant Fruit Plants
There you have it – it’s a starting point, at least! These plants are delicious and drought-tolerant, so you might have some great luck with them if you live in a suitable climate. There are plenty of other drought-tolerant fruits plants to look into if none of these tickle your fancy. Why not try out cherries, moringa, Natal plums, feijoa, dragon fruit, or guavas? You’re bound to find something you love.
If you want to keep reading about gardening, we have lots to offer. Why not have a look at our articles on the best vegetables to grow in a hot climate, or which fruit and veggie plants have the greatest yield? We also had a look at drought-tolerant vegetable plants, and plants that thrive in smaller spaces.
Want to steer away from gardening? We cover all kinds of topics! Check out our articles on milk or meat goats, and common goat health conditions that you should be aware of. More interested in laying hens? We cover them too!