Tropical Fruits

Now you can add a tropical feel to your patio with these three tropical fruit trees, no matter where you live!

Kumquat

This is quite an interesting fruit. Instead of the pulp, the sweetest part of this citrus fruit is actually the peel.

Nagami Kumquats make delicious marmalades, preserves, and dried fruits. The tartness also makes them an excellent addition to marinades.

Enjoy the distinctive taste of the Nagami Kumquat. It is the only citrus fruit that can be eaten skin and all. If you have a sweet tooth, eat the skin separately, as it is the sweetest part.

Delicious kumquats are small enough to pop into your mouth, and the Nagami bears these delicious fruits in great abundance.

There’s no need to worry about harvesting your Nagami Kumquats at the right time. You simply pick them off the tree when you’re in the mood for a great tasting, healthy snack.

Your whole family will enjoy the great tasting marmalades and desserts you cook up from your citrus tree.

It isn’t often you find a fruit tree that can grow in almost any soil, but Nagami Kumquats will reward you well in any condition.

This dwarf citrus does great in a container as well. This way, no matter where you live, you can grow juicy kumquats!

The kumquat is so hardy and disease resistant there is no need for chemicals. You’ll always be able to pluck and eat your fruit straight from the tree because it isn’t prone to pests or diseases.

Mid-summer blooms give you an elegant fragrance that will entice you to step out on your patio every morning.

Your kumquat harvest will be fully ripened and ready to eat in February. You’ll be excited to know that the Nagami Kumquat is actually cold hardy to temperatures as low as 20 degrees.

No matter where you live, you can grow these trees as patio plants. Just bring it inside near a sunny window during the winter.

They'll mature to a height of just 8 feet tall. If you plant them in the ground, they prefer growing zones 8-11.

Papaya

It combines delicious fleshy fruit with the health benefits of vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, and vitamin E. This tropical delight is sure to please.

Papaya trees can be container grown. If you live in a colder area, simply plant it in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter months. All of your guests over the winter will be delighted by seeing such a unique tree growing in your sun room or living room. When the temperatures began to warm up, place it back outside in the hot summer sun.

This exotic plant can grow up to 15 feet when mature, prefers warmer temperatures (70°F-90°F), and enjoys most types of well-drained soil. It prefers full sunlight, which will ensure the healthiest growth and maximum fruit production. Trees are male, female, and bisexual, so having several trees will increase your chances of producing a bountiful harvest. Fruit yields can vary from 60 to 80 pounds depending on the size of the tree.

The low-maintenance papaya does not need pruning and will provide you with luscious fruit that can grow up to 20 inches in length. The fruit has a thick green skin that ripens to gold. Inside the soft flesh is bright orange and the center of the fruit is packed with black seeds.

The juicy fruit has a musky aroma and a sweet and succulent taste. Even the peppery-flavored seeds are edible. Ripe fruit can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Papaya is delicious straight from the tree and can also be made into drinks, jellies, pastes, and desserts dried or candied.

Guava

This beautiful tropical tree adds a unique touch to any landscape. Originating in Mexico and Central America, the tree is now naturalized to subtropical regions of North America. The tree has dark green, oval leaves and produces an array of stunning white and yellow flowers throughout the summer months.

The guava is a fast growing tree that will grow to a height of 10 feet, though it can easily be maintained at a height of 6-8 feet by regular pruning. Unpruned trees will flower during October. Trees that have been pruned will usually flower 10-12 weeks after pruning. The flowers can self-pollinate though pollination, which is usually carried out by bees.

The tree is drought tolerant, but will produce more fruit if watered regularly. It will easily adapt to most soil conditions and enjoys full sunlight. Guavas thrive in areas with hot summers and cool winters, and can tolerate temperatures up to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.

The guava fruit is round to pear-shaped and can grow between 2-4 inches long. When ripe the rind softens and is edible. The inner flesh creamy white in color and has a soft, pulpy texture. The fruit have a delicious sweet flavor and pleasant aroma. In warmer climates, the fruit will ripen year-round, but it may be picked while green and allowed to ripen at room temperature.

Mature green fruit will stay fresh for up to five weeks in a temperature between 46° and 50° F. You can speed up the ripening process by placing the guava in a brown paper bag along with an apple or banana. Once the fruit begins to, ripen it will change color.