6 Fruit Trees That Thrive in Extreme Heat

Zizyphus jujuba, commonly known as jujube or Chinese date, is a deciduous tree or shrub native to China that produces edible fruit with a flavor and texture that changes from apple-like to date-like as it ripens. — Credit:
Getty Images

Growing and harvesting fruit from your own trees is a rewarding process, but it can be challenging to find suitable varieties if you live in a warmer area of the U.S., as many trees require cold temperatures to produce a good crop.

"'Chill hours' is a term that refers to a certain time period that all fruit trees need to reset their buds in cold weather," says Ben Heusinkvelt, grounds and orchard specialist at Arbor Day Farm. "However, some fruit trees have adapted to heat and can still produce fruit."

Warm climate fruit trees still have chill hour requirements—they are just much shorter and don’t need nearly as low temperatures. Ahead, our experts offer up their top choices of fruit trees that thrive in extreme heat, along with the best care practices to help them thrive.

Ben Heusinkvelt, grounds and orchard specialist at Arbor Day Farm
Tim Hartmann, assistant professor and extension fruit specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
Amanda Webb, head gardener at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve
Zach Jones, permaculture farm manager of The Chef's Garden, a family-owned regenerative farm

01 of 06

Pomegranate

Adapted and thriving in hot, desert conditions, the pomegranate (Punica granatum) is one of the most heat-tolerant fruit crops. "They have low winter chilling requirements, making them great choices for warm winter areas," says Tim Hartmann, assistant professor and extension fruit specialist at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.

Give your pomegranate tree full sun and well-draining soil, but rest assured, it can withstand poor water quality, such as high salinity. "Although cross-pollination isn’t required, fruit production can be severely hindered by fungal diseases in more humid regions, causing cosmetic damage and rotting of the arils inside," warns Hartmann.

02 of 06

Violette de Bordeaux Figs

A fig tree branch bearing young fruit surrounded by green foliage — Getty Images

In a drier climate, consider Violette de Bordeaux figs (Ficus carica 'Violette de Bordeaux'). "These can also be grown in pots in smaller areas, but they have thinner skin and generally love dry heat," says Zach Jones, permaculture farm manager of The Chef's Garden.

It's important—especially for container-grown figs—to ensure the soil mix doesn't dry out too much in dry heat. "You may need to water every day to keep the top 2 inches of the pot moist," Jones explains. "Plant in a potting mix in a 15- or 30-gallon pot with a slow-release fertilizer."

Partial shade may be appropriate in the hottest months for some areas, but these figs generally need at least eight hours of full sun daily.

03 of 06

Common Jujube

Ripe Jujube fruit on branch against blue sky — Getty Images

Native to eastern Asia, jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) is extremely tolerant of both heat and drought—and is possibly the easiest fruit species to grow. "It thrives in areas with high night temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and easily survives daytime temperatures well above 100 degrees," says Hartmann.

Hardy to USDA zones 5 through 10, it is adapted to most of the continental U.S. The jujube requires full sun and well-draining soil but tolerates heavy clay. It is self-fertile and has few pest and disease issues. "The major detractors include thorns and a propensity for producing undesirable suckers from the base and roots," Hartmann warns.

04 of 06

Peach

Peach trees (Prunus persica) can withstand chilly temperatures and extreme heat, making them suitable for growing in various regions of the U.S. In the South, Amanda Webb, head gardener at Windy Hill Farm and Preserve, says "Redhaven" and "Elberta" are two peach tree varieties particularly well-suited to warm climates. "They are perfect for Southeast growing, as both varieties are champs at handling high temperatures of 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit," she says.

The Redhaven needs at least six full hours of sunlight daily, deep and consistent moisture during the growing season, and prefers clay or sandy soil with good drainage. The real threats to peach trees are disease, humidity, pests, and the danger of a late frost, says Webb.

05 of 06

Pecan

While not technically a fruit, the common pecan (Carya illinoinensis) is well-adapted to the southern U.S. and can easily tolerate temperatures of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher—as long as soil moisture is plentiful. “It is particularly tolerant of areas with high night temperatures of 80 degrees or higher and is able to photosynthesize at day temperatures as high as 106 degrees,” Hartmann says.

The pecan is a large tree, often prized for the shade it provides. It prefers full sun and well-draining soil for optimal growth and production, but it can tolerate short periods of flooding. "It needs regular water and will take five to eight years to produce," Hartmann says. "You’ll also need multiple varieties for cross-pollination."

Major pests and diseases to watch out for include pecan scab fungus, pecan nut casebearer, pecan weevil, shuck worms, and stinkbugs. "Varieties such as ‘Kanza’ that are resistant to scab fungus should be used in areas with high humidity and rainfall to minimize the need for fungicide sprays," Hartmann recommends.

06 of 06

Olive

Native to the Mediterranean region, the olive tree (Olea europaea) is incredibly heat and drought-tolerant, easily surviving temperatures as high as 110 degrees Fahrenheit. "However, cold hardiness is limited to USDA zone 8, with hardiness being highly dependent on acclimation factors," Hartmann warns.

While it can be grown as a small tree or shrub, it can even be used as a hedge. Essential care must include full sun and well-draining soil, but it is tolerant of poor water quality (like high salinity) and alkaline soil conditions. Most varieties require cross-pollination for good fruit set, but they have relatively few pest and disease issues.

"The olive is best adapted to areas with a more arid climate and will not reliably fruit in areas with very warm winters," Hartmann says.