The Best Winter Fruits to Grow in Any Garden

Fresh, seasonal fruit is abundant in the summer and fall, but what about during the winter months? Winter fruits that are ready for harvest during the coldest season should be a part of every garden. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of fruit trees and plants that will be ready for picking throughout the winter, including information about growing zones and specific varieties. No matter your climate, you can grow fruit year round!

A closeup of red winter fruits (crabapples) on a leafless branch, with snow in the background.

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One of the joys of having a home garden is the ability to harvest fresh produce all year. But when it comes to the winter months, fresh-picked fruit is hard to come by. It's hard to imagine harvesting fruit when the garden is buffeted by icy winds or blanketed by snow. Even if you live in a subtropical climate, most fruit trees and plants are deciduous and go dormant over winter.

But believe it or not, there are many fruits that not only will survive the winter, but will actually provide ripe fruit throughout the coldest months. And you don't have to live in a tropical climate to enjoy these winter fruits (although it doesn't hurt).

Refer to the following list of delicious winter fruiting plants (including some you may not have thought of!) to see which are suitable for your climate. I've included information about which USDA growing zones each plant is suitable for, chill hour information, and suggested specific varieties. Visit this site to find out your growing zone.

I've included only those winter fruits that will actually be ready for harvest over the winter months (November through March). In some cases, fruit can be picked early but will stay fresh or continue to ripen into the winter. Even if you do live in a colder zone, try growing some warm-climate fruits indoors in containers. Read on for some winter fruit inspiration, and get planting!

01. Late-Season Apples

Most apples are harvested in late summer are early fall, but there are many delicious late-season apples that are ready in the late fall or early winter. In milder climates, such as in my zone 8b East Texas garden, you may even be picking apples into December. Many of these late-season apples keep for as long as 6 months and taste even better after proper storage. There are over 1000 apple varieties to choose from, but here are a few great late-ripening options.

Closeup of ripe red apples mottled with light green on a tree branch,.

Granny Smith

The ever-popular Granny Smith apple ripens in late October in cooler climates, but could be as late as December or January in warm areas. It holds up extremely well to long-term storage, lasting up to 6 months. Sweet-tart Granny Smith requires 400 chill hours and does need another apple variety nearby for pollination. Zones 5-9.

Enterprise

Enterprise is a cold-hardy apple variety that is disease resistant and can last up to 6 months in cold storage. It ripens in October to early November. Enterprise needs at least 800 chill hours and does need a pollinizer tree. Zones 4-7.

Stayman Winesap

This sweet dessert apple does indeed have a subtle spiced-wine flavor. Stayman Winesap is a cold-hardy variety that stores well. It ripens technically in late fall (October), but may ripen later in warmer climates. Needs a pollinator. Zones 5-8.

Pink Lady

Pink Lady is a low-chill apple variety that only needs about 500 chill hours to fruit. It ripens in late October to early November and stores well. Pink Lady (also known as Cripps Pink) has a tangy-sweet flavor and crisp texture that makes it perfect for fresh eating or cooking. Requires pollination. Zones 5-8.

Related: Starting an Espalier Apple Tree: A Step-by-Step Guide

Arkansas Black

Arkansas Black is a cider apple that develops its best sweet flavor only after picking and chilled storage. It typically ripens in October to November. This variety has an extremely firm texture so it stores extremely well long-term, and is also primarily used for cooking and baking (or cider making). Needs 800-900 chill hours. Zones 5-8.

All apple trees require a certain amount of chill time to grow fruit, so make sure the varieties you grow correspond to the average chill hours in your area. Check out the video below to learn all about chill hours, including how to find yours.

Don't forget about crabapples! These small, tart fruits are also in the malus genus along with apples, but are much smaller, harder, seedier, and more tart. They are most commonly used in making cider or other cooked applications. Even if they aren't as palatable raw, many crabapples fruit throughout fall and winter and can provide a good harvest for you (and wildlife) in the colder months. A few late-ripening varieties to try are: Harvest Gold, Dolgo, and Winter Crabarina.

02. Cranberries

  • Hardiness Zones: 2 - 8
  • General Harvest Time: September to November
  • Recommended Varieties: Stevens, American

Cranberries are native to North America and tend to be very hardy and disease resistant. The tannic berries are harvested in fall or early winter (in milder climates). They love acidic, well-draining soil in a sunny spot. Most cranberries are self-pollinating, but they will fruit even better if you plant more than one variety. Pick cranberries under-ripe if using them for jam, jellies, or sauce. Otherwise, wait to pick until frost to allow the berries to soften and grow sweeter. Fresh cranberries also freeze very well so you can use them throughout the winter.

03. Winter Pears

  • Hardiness Zones: 4 - 10
  • General Harvest Time: August - November
  • Recommended Varieties: Anjou, Bosc, Comice, Sweet Advent

Winter pears are simply pears that are harvested in the fall or early winter, but then can be stored and eaten fresh throughout the cold months. Although many pears are harvested in the summer and early fall, these winter pear varieties often develop more sweetness as the weather gets cooler, or even fully ripen in cold storage. Pear trees typically need cross pollination for fruiting. Grow pears in a full-sun location, and prune annually to maintain the shape. Pears are generally easy to grow, but if fire blight is a threat in your area be sure to plant resistant varieties. Here are a few late-fruiting pear varieties to try:

Anjou

There's a reason sweet, firm Anjou pears are found in grocery stores throughout the fall and winter. Even though they are typically harvested in September or October, Anjou pears will still taste fresh even after several months in cold storage. Grows in zones 5-8. Needs cross pollination.

Two young, green Anjou pears on a tree branch.
Anjou pears

Bosc

Bosc pear trees are hardy, productive, and provide fruit into the late fall or early winter. The pears are white-fleshed with a firm but tender texture and sweet, juicy flavor. Bosc pears taste even better once they have been stored in the cold for a couple of months. Needs a pollinizer. Zones 5-8.

Comice

Comice is a low-chill European variety with sweet, buttery flesh. They are ready for harvest in late October, but then need some time in cold storage to ripen completely. These pears store well for up to three months. Comice cross-pollinates with other late blooming varieties. Zones 5-9.

Sweet Advent

Sweet Advent has a strong resistance to fire blight and becomes sweeter as it's exposed to cold weather. Harvest in October to November so it has a chance to sweeten. Ripe pears will continue to hang on the tree into December, making it a great wildlife food source. Zones 4-8.

04. Persimmons

  • Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9 (American persimmons); 7-10 (Asian persimmons)
  • General Harvest Time: September - February (American persimmons); October - December (Asian persimmons)
  • Recommended Varieties: American: 'Early Golden', 'Prok'; Asian: 'Fuyu', 'Hachiya', 'Ichikikei-Jiro'

Persimmons are one of the most underrated winter fruits in the home garden. They are easy to grow, disease resistant, and absolutely delicious. American persimmons are particularly cold hardy, and the fruit will continue to ripen from late fall well into winter. American persimmons usually begin to ripen around the time of the first frost. The bright red fruits will continue hanging on the tree even when the leaves have already fallen. They will remain on the tree until they are very soft and sweet, sometimes into February or March.

Image of bright orange-red ripe persimmons on a leafless tree, with snow in the background.

Learn more: American vs. Asian Persimmons: What's the Difference?

Asian persimmons aren't quite as cold hardy, but they can still be grown as far north as zone 7. Most of the time, Asian persimmons are ready for harvest before the first heavy frost, but they can be harvested into the winter. I typically pick ripe fruit from my 'Fuyu' persimmon tree well into December after the leaves have fallen. The ripe red fruits look like hanging Christmas ornaments on the bare tree.

Related: Persimmon Trees are for Cold Climates Too (15 Trees to Try)

05. Pomegranates

  • Hardiness Zones: 7 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: September - November
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Desertnyi', 'Parfianka', 'Wonderful', 'Texas Pink'

Pomegranate trees make wonderful landscape plants. They are generally best suited to warmer climates, but there are a few cold-hardy varieties (such as 'Sirenevyi'). Pomegranates are ready to pick about 7 months after blooming, which is typically between September and November. The sweet, crisp pomegranate arils are delicious added to winter dishes and freeze well for many months.

Learn more: Choosing the Perfect Pomegranate Tree (19 Top Varieties)

06. Dates

  • Hardiness Zones: 8 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: September - December
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Deglet Noor', 'Barhi', 'Thoori'

Date palms provide a large harvest of sweet, sticky fruit - as long as you have a big enough space to grow them! These trees can grow as high as 80 feet. Dates will begin to ripen in fall and will continue reaching their peak throughout the fall and into early winter (depending on the variety).

It is possible to grow a date palm in a large container (I have not tried this yet, but I definitely want to!). If you live outside of the recommended growing zones, the tree will need winter protection. You do, however, need both a male and female tree for pollination. One of the most popular and sweetest date varieties is 'Medjool', which ripens earlier in the fall.

07. Prickly Pear

  • Hardiness Zones: 7 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: August - December
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Burbank', 'Desert Glow', 'Desert Peach', 'Reina'

Prickly pears, also called cactus pears, are the fruit from a prickly pear cactus. There are many different species of prickly pear (over 1000!) with fruits that ripen to magenta, deep orange, or red. Depending on the variety and location, cactus pears could ripen from late summer to midwinter. Harvest when the fruit is a deep color and comes off of the plant easily.

08. Kiwi/Hardy Kiwi

  • Hardiness Zones: 4 - 9 (hardy kiwi/kiwiberries); 7 - 10 (fuzzy kiwifruit)
  • General Harvest Time: November - March
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Anna', 'Isai' (hardy kiwi); 'Hayward' (fuzzy kiwifruit)

Kiwi vines are separated into two categories, the larger, fuzzy kiwi fruits (Actinidia deliciosa) or the smaller, smooth kiwi berries (also called hardy kiwi) (Actinidia arguta). The fuzzy varieties that you commonly found in the grocery store can only be grown in warmer climates with a longer growing season. The hardy kiwi berries, however, are cold-tolerant enough to be grown as far north as zone 4.

Both the kiwiberries and fuzzy kiwifruit need both a male and a female plant for pollination. Some retailers will sell a male plant along with a female one to ensure proper fruiting. It's possible to grow a kiwi vine in a large container, but it will need a sturdy trellis to climb on.

09. Citrus

If you grow no other winter-ripening fruits, choose at least one citrus tree. There is nothing like the bright taste of fresh-picked citrus in the middle of the winter. Citrus trees may be cold-sensitive, but they are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow in containers - all you need is a sunny window. Different citrus varieties ripen at different times in the fall and winter.

My Meyer lemon tree, protected from frost over the winter.

Most citrus takes 6 - 9 months to ripen after flowering (up to 12 months for grapefruit, 4-5 months for small citrus like kumquats). Lemons and limes, in particular, can be picked at different stages of ripeness. Harvested a little early, they are acidic and more firm, but still juicy. At peak ripeness, lemons and limes are extremely juicy, less acidic, and thinner-skinned.

You may see many citrus trees recommended for USDA growing zones 8 through 11, but my experience suggests something different. I live in zone 8b and have tried to grow citrus trees in the ground several times. In each case, even with diligent winter protection, a frost has killed the trees. I recommend growing citrus trees in containers that can be moved during the winter if you live in zone 8 or colder.

Related: The Best DIY Citrus Potting Mix Recipe (Plus 5 Brands to Try)

Lemons

Limes

Grapefruit

  • Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: November - March
  • Recommended Varieties: Ruby Red, Henderson, Rio Red

Oranges

Pomelo/Pummelo

  • Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: November - March
  • Recommended Varieties: Chandler, Honey, Timor

Kumquat

  • Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: November - March
  • Recommended Varieties: Meiwa, Nagami, Marumi

Tropical Fruits

While only the fortunate few in zones 9 or warmer can plant tropical fruits in the ground, anyone can grow them in containers. All of these fruits are frost sensitive and need bright sunlight to fruit well. If you want fresh, bright, tropical flavors throughout the winter, consider growing one or two of the following tropical fruits.

10. Avocado

  • Hardiness Zones: 10 - 12
  • General Harvest Time: Year-round (depending on variety). See winter-ripening varieties below.
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Bacon', 'Fuerte', 'Santana', 'Zutano'

For avocados, harvest time depends entirely on the variety. Some are harvested in spring, some summer, and some winter. 'Bacon' is one of the best-known winter-ripening avocado varieties. Avocado fruits grow to maturity on the tree, but they must be left to soften once picked. Avocado trees are great for container gardening, but they need bright, indirect light and very well-draining soil.

11. Guava

  • Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: Year-round, primarily late fall and February - March (in mild climates)
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Thai White', 'Barbie Pink', 'Ruby Supreme'

Guavas have a light, tropical flavor with crisp-to-soft, pear-like flesh. These trees grow and fruit relatively quickly and fairly prolifically. In tropical locations, a guava tree may produce fruit year-round. You can even grow it in a container by keeping its size in check with regular pruning.

Pineapple guava, another popular subtropical fruit, is not actually a true guava (nor is it a pineapple). This productive shrubby plant grows delicious fruit called a feijoa that does resemble a guava in flavor. It can be grown outdoors in zones 8-10 and is ready for harvest between September and December.

12. Passion Fruit

  • Hardiness Zones: 8b - 11
  • General Harvest Time: August - November
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Frederick', 'Nancy Garrison', 'Possum Purple'

Passion fruits are frost sensitive, like all tropical fruits, but the yellow varieties tend to flower and fruit later in the season. If you live in the right climate to grow passion fruit, expect to harvest between late August and November.

13. Carambola

  • Hardiness Zones: 9 - 11
  • General Harvest Time: August - February
  • Recommended Varieties: 'Kari', 'Sri Kembangin'

Carambola, also called "star fruit" is a crisp sweet-sour fruit with a unique star shape. It's typically harvested in the winter, although some varieties (depending also on climate) could be ready to pick as early as summer.

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