Last Updated on April 11, 2022 by Marco C.
If you’re not lucky enough to have your own garden, you might be wondering about the easiest fruit trees to grow indoors. Luckily, there are plenty of fruits that you can grow indoors, and in today’s article, we’ll be taking a look at the easiest species of fruit you can now grow in your own apartment.
Growing Fruits Indoors
Many amateur gardeners and chefs have tried growing fruits indoors, finding it easier than buying their fruit from supermarkets. The truth is, you can nowadays grow most fruits indoors. There are hundreds of thousands of varieties of all fruits, made specifically for indoor growing.
It’s usually as easy as buying indoor fruit seeds. However, not all fruit can grow in the same environment. It’s also likely that you sometimes won’t be able to achieve the temperatures and humidity levels needed for certain plants to grow.
Even though you can control your indoor environment, you’re partly still at mercy of the outdoor environment and that’s something you can’t control. So, if you want more than a single fruit tree, firstly check that those two trees can actually grow in the same environment.
You also have to remember that some fruit trees require more space than others, and you don’t want to overcrowd your apartment.
Lemons
Lemons are the first entry on this list because they’re without a doubt the most popular indoor fruit tree. The main reason for that is because there are many dwarf variations of this fruit, and many of them have completely adapted to indoor growth.
There are bitter, acidic variations of the lemon, but also sweet lemon variations. Lemons need plenty of sun and humidity, so if you live in an apartment that doesn’t get plenty of light, you won’t be able to grow lemons.
The light also has to be year-round – these plants don’t have a dormant phase. All citrus plants, including oranges and limes, need at least 8 hours of sun daily, while humidity should be at least 50%.
The latter is much easier to achieve, as you can just spray your plant every once in a while and it will achieve the same effect as actively keeping your room humid. This is a much healthier option for you personally because living in a humid home is unhealthy.
Learn more about: Growing Apple Trees From Seeds Indoors
Figs
Figs are another warm-weather fruit that you can grow in your own home. When choosing your plant, make sure to pick a small variant. Just like citrus fruits, figs love sunlight and they do very well in the sun, so you should position the pot near a south-facing window.
You should also avoid dropping the temperature because these plants don’t like the wind or the cold. When it comes to watering, you’ll need to water your fig tree at least once a week and make sure to do it thoroughly.
The fiddle-leaf fig is likely the most popular variant of this plant, and you should know that they can grow to great sizes, up to 10 feet. Make sure that you have enough space in your home before you plant this tree.
It’s also toxic to both cats and dogs, so you should avoid it if you have these pets.
Bananas
There are dwarf banana plants that produce bananas that you can actually eat – there are also plenty of banana trees that don’t produce fruit. These trees (even though they’re technically plants, not trees) are self-pollinating, so insects aren’t really necessary for their growth.
Indoors, they can reach a width of up to 15 feet, but that varies from species to species. They also need plenty of suns and it’s best to water them regularly. The soil should always be moist, while the level of moisture in the air needs to be high too – remember that bananas are tropical plants.
Lastly, they grow best in high-temperature climates, so you’re going to have to keep the temperature in your home high.
Olives
Olives deserve an honorable mention because, while being a beautiful plant, chances are you’re not going to get much fruit from it. However, they’re certainly a beautiful decoration. Olives need very high temperatures and a lot of light to actually grow, so it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to provide that in your apartment.
Olive leaves also get very annoying when they start dropping, and cleaning is a mess, so it’s best to keep this idea in-store only if you want it as a decoration.
Read more about: Growing Dwarf Fig Trees Indoors
FAQ
Will fruit trees grow in pots?
Yes, there are nowadays thousands of miniature variations of fruit species that are traditionally large. This means that anyone can grow miniature fruit in their home, as long as they can simulate the right conditions. However, growing different fruit species indoors can be difficult.
How long can fruit trees stay in pots?
Usually, fruits can stay in pots their entire lives. Most of these fruits have been bred to achieve a certain size, so they can stay in your home as long as you can fit them there. They usually don't need repotting, especially if you initially use a large pot.
What is the quickest fruit to grow indoors?
Tomatoes, which are technically fruits, are the easiest and quickest fruits you can grow indoors. However, bananas, papayas and figs all grow quickly and they're all a great choice if you want to grow something quickly.
How long does it take for a fruit tree to bear fruit?
There is no universal answer to this question, as different species require different times to grow (as answered in the last question). Apples can also grow indoors, but you won't see any fruits from your labor for at least two seasons, for example.
To End
Growing your own fruit indoors is now as possible as ever, and you’re not dependent on having your own garden anymore. Fruits like lemons, oranges, bananas, and figs are all popular indoor fruit species.
To grow them properly, you’re going to have to constantly control your indoor environment, but if you can manage that, they should bear fruit easily.