What could possibly make living in Hawaii even sweeter? Growing your own tropical fruits in your back yard!
The Hawaiian climate isn’t only a dream for the people who live here. There are many tropical fruits that love it too! I always love going out back to grab a few limes and avocados from the garden. It’s much easier than going to the store—and it tastes better! From just a couple plants to entire orchards, here are the fruits you can grow at your Hawaiian dream house.
Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits have been popular in the islands for hundreds of years. They can grow anywhere from sea level to the upper mountain slopes. They especially love the drier climate on the west side of the Big Island.
You can grow pretty much any type of citrus you like on the Island:
Limes
Lemons
Oranges
Tangerines
Because of the tropical climate, citrus fruits grown on the island tend to have a greener skin that sticks to the fruit. But don’t let that fool you; the flavor is just as good as their mainland counterparts. They taste great fresh from the garden (or mixed into your favorite tropical drinks…).
I have lime trees in my back yard, and they produce enough to have as many margaritas and Coronas as I can drink year-round. Seriously, if you’re in the area, come get some; I have way too many! Plus, the contrast between the trees and the bright fruit makes a wonderful addition to any backyard landscape.
Avocado
In certain parts of the mainland, avocados are a delicacy that have to be shipped in from Mexico and California. They’re expensive and ripen too fast to keep any real stock in your pantry. And who wants to have to pay extra for Guac!? In Hawaii, you can avoid all the avocado headaches and just grow your own!
Avocado trees grow incredibly well on the Island, especially in the Kona region. The main type of avocado grown on the island is the Sharwil, which has a buttery flavor and a smaller pit. Oh, and it’s huge! I’ve picked avocados from my back yard that weighed more than one pound! That’s a lot of guacamole…
These trees can grow up to 80-feet tall, but of course, you can trim it down to fit in your yard or orchard. Avocados are technically a winter fruit here on the Islands—producing mainly from December until mid-spring—but it’s not hard to find fresh avocado year-round.
Bananas
Bananas are another tropical fruit that love to call Hawaii home. The trees tend to be a bit big for the typical back yard, with roots that span about 30-feet. If you plant a banana tree, make sure it’s at least 10-feet away from a neighboring fruit tree.
Despite their space requirements, bananas do very well on the Island. They absolutely love the sun, like most tropical fruits, and need lots of food and water to grow big and tall. If you live on the drier western side of the island, you might have to give water it regularly.
In addition to the delicious fruit, banana trees look uniquely tropical. There’s no denying that you live in a tropical paradise with a bunch of banana trees in your back yard!
Papayas
Not only are papayas tasty, but their trees add a lovely fragrance to the air and the bright white, orange, and yellow flowers add a splash of color to any outdoor area.
Papayas grow best at lower elevations in well-drained soil. They’re a little particular about wind and water, so it doesn’t hurt to hire a processional tree service company to plant them. Once the trees are in, papayas fruit almost constantly, and need to be harvested frequently. They’re best for full-time residents.
Pineapples
Pineapples might not be native to Hawaii, but like many of the Island’s inhabitants, they found their way over and decided they like to stay. Pineapples grow well all around the island and especially love the warmer areas on the western coastal region.
The best part about growing pineapples is that you don’t need to visit a nursery. All you have to do is eat a pineapple, save the top, and plant it in the ground. Okay, there’s a bit more to it than that, but you can easily grow your own pineapple grove with a few saved tops from earlier tasty treats.
Need Somewhere to Grow Tropical Goodies?
There are tons of tropical fruits you can grow in Hawaii. All you need is your own space! If want to start your own DIY Hawaiian orchard, check out all the listings on the Big Island. There are plenty of properties available, many of which have enough space for a few fruit trees. When you’re ready to start living the “sweet” Hawaiian life, shoot me a message! I’ll help you find the perfect tropical getaway to suit all your desires.
Aloha, and welcome to Hawaii.