What if you didn’t have to replant your veggies and fruits yearly? In a world where seasons come and go, and the rhythm of nature’s bounty often feels all too fleeting, perennials are the gift that keeps giving year after year.
Imagine stepping into your garden and plucking succulent, sun-ripened fruits and crisp, vibrant vegetables with each passing season without the need for constant replanting, tilling, and sowing. Sounds lively, right?
Well, join me as we embark on a horticultural journey through the 20 best perennial fruits and vegetables to grow once and harvest year after year.
20 Best Perennial Fruits and Vegetables to Grow Once and Harvest Year After Year
Perennial Fruits To Grow
1. Berries
Berries are top of our list for a reason. Once you plant a patch of berries in well-drained soil, they will reward you with a vibrant tapestry of tastes and textures in the world of fruits.
From their bold colors to their sweet and tangy flavors, berries are captivating our senses and highly nourishing.
There are many varieties of berries; you only have to choose the ones you like and suit your region.
Hardiness zones
Strawberries: 4-9
Blueberries: 3-7
Raspberries: 4-9
Blackberries: 5-9
Gooseberries- 3-8
Mulberries: 5-9
Currants: 3-8
2. Grapes (Vitis spp.)
Whether you want to enjoy sweet, juicy grapes, make wine, or both, grapevines are a great addition to your garden. This perennial fruit is a classic choice for a long-term, fruitful investment.
Besides the delicious fruits, grapevines enhance your garden’s aesthetics as they wind their way through arbors or along trellises. Their leaves shimmering in the sun, and clusters of grapes hanging like precious gems.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
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3. Apple Trees
Plant apple trees in well-drained soil in a sunny location for fresh apple fruits year after year. Choose apple tree cultivars that suit your local climate and desired growing conditions.
Pick your apples when fully colored and firm but not overly ripe, typically in late summer to early fall.
Dwarf or semi-dwarf apple trees suit you if you have limited space.
Hardiness zones: 3-5
4. Citrus Trees (Citrus spp.)
Whether it’s the bright, tangy notes of a lemon, the sweet juiciness of an orange, or the aromatic charm of a lime, citrus trees are excellent for your garden.
They provide a steady supply of vitamin-rich, delectable fruits once established. The annual cycle of flowering, fruiting, and harvest is a delight.
Citrus fruits love heat, so plant them in an area with plenty of sunlight.
Hardiness zones: 8-11
5. Figs
Fresh figs are perfect for snacking, adding to salads, or drizzling with honey and enjoying with cheese. Figs thrive in regions with warm and dry summers.
However, they can also be potted plants that you keep indoors in winter.
Also, make sure your fig trees get sunlight for 6 hours or longer daily.
Hardiness zones: 8 and above
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6. Avocado (Persea americana)
Avocado trees can grow big, so have sufficient garden space. In addition, ensure this evergreen plant grows in adequately prepared soil.
While this plant comes in different varieties, the Hass, Fuerte, and Bacon avocados are most commonly grown for fruit production.
Hardiness zones: 9-11
7. Apricot Tree (Prunus armeniaca)
An apricot tree can yield a bountiful harvest of apricots for many seasons if you care for it properly, giving you a continuous supply of delicious fruit. This perennial tree is also a delightful flowering ornament.
Popular varieties include Moorpark, Royal Blenheim, Tilton, and Harlayne.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
8. Cherries
Cherry trees come in sweet and sour varieties. Sweet cherries include Bing, Rainier, and Stella, while sour cherries comprise Morello and Montmorency.
These graceful, flowering trees offer a profusion of blossoms in the spring, giving way to clusters of succulent cherries.
Pick your sweet cherries when firm but not hard and sour cherries when bright red.
Hardiness zones:
Sweet cherries: 5-7
Sour cherries: 4-6
9. Peach Tree (Prunus persica)
A peach tree will adorn your garden with fragrant, pink-hued blossoms, giving way to a magnificent display of ripe peaches. Besides beautifying your garden, peaches are also delicious. Plant peach trees in late winter or early spring before bud break.
Common peach tree cultivars comprise Elberta, Georgia Belle, and Red Haven.
Hardiness zones: 5-8
Perennial Vegetables
10. Chives
Grow chives in your garden, and you will have a long-lasting supply of this herb. This hardy perennial is easy to grow and maintain and will help you enhance the taste of various dishes like salads, soups, and omelets.
It will also help repel some garden pests. In addition, their purple flowers will enhance your garden’s aesthetics.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
11. Rhubarb (Rheum spp.)
This resilient, reliable vegetable perennial that masquerades as a fruit is a springtime delight. Its tangy, vibrant stalks will add flavor to your kitchen and color your garden.
Plant it once in well-drained soil, and it will return year after year with a fresh crop of stems.
The emergence of Rhubarb’s tender, juicy stalks marks the arrival of spring and the beginning of a culinary adventure.
Hardiness zones: 3-8
12. Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)
Asparagus’ long-term productivity, typically producing edible spears for up to 20 years or more under the right conditions, makes it a favorite. It may take a year or two to establish itself before yielding a substantial harvest, so be patient.
Also, do not harvest the spears during the first year.
Hardiness zones: 3-10
13. Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus)
Grow artichokes from seeds or small plants called transplants for their edible flower buds. These intriguing, hardy perennials grow in clumps of silvery, spiky leaves, concealing their treasures within. They are culinary delights and visually appealing perennial plants.
Artichokes leaves pull back to reveal the hidden treasure when ready for harvest. Choose a sunny location with well-drained, fertile soil for your artichokes.
Hardiness zones: 7-11
14. Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
This hardy perennial vegetable can be a valuable addition to your garden. For many years, it will provide a tangy, lemony addition to your salads, soups, and sauces.
Sorrel grows in a wide range of climates but is well-suited for temperate regions.
Plant it from seeds or transplants in a location with full or partial sun.
Hardiness zones: 5-7
15. Egyptian Walking Onions (Allium × proliferum)
This distinct onion type yields petite bulbs atop its green stalks. This low-maintenance vegetable propagates itself by walking. Moreover, its unusual growth habit makes an interesting conversation piece.
Plant Egyptian Walking Onions in spring or fall in full to partial sun. While they can survive winter, you can protect them with mulch during these months.
Hardiness zones: 3-9
16. Yams
Yams are typically grown in tropical and subtropical regions, and they have a long growing season. They can live for several years and produce tubers year after year. Yams are a staple in many traditional cuisines and are usually added to savory dishes.
Propagate new yam plants every couple of years to ensure your garden keeps going strong. When the yam’s above-ground portion dies during winter or dry season, the underground tubers stay dormant and sprout back when the conditions are favorable.
Hardiness zones: 8-10
17. Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)
If you enjoy horseradish’s bold, spicy flavor, it will be an excellent addition to your garden. When you grate or ground its roots, they release a spicy, savory flavor, making it a popular ingredient in various culinary dishes.
You can also treat various ailments with horseradish. In fall, gather horseradish roots once the leaves have withered.
Hardiness zones: 2-9
18. Scarlet runner beans (Phaseolus coccineus)
You can keep harvesting this vegetable for its flowers and beans for multiple years if you live in mild climates or a sub-tropical region.
These vigorous climbers can grow up to 10-12 feet or more in height, producing twining vines with lush green foliage, hence a fine choice for vertical gardening and trellises.
Scarlet runner beans are a good protein, minerals, dietary fiber, and vitamin source.
Hardiness zones: 7-11
19. Sea Kale (Crambe maritima)
This European native perennial coastal plant is grown for its edible shoots and leaves that emerge in spring. You can harvest it year after year as it forms a perennial root system.
After you harvest the young shoots and leaves, the plant will continue producing new leaves and shoots in subsequent years.
Cut the shoots at the right time to encourage regrowth and to prevent the plant from flowering to maintain a healthy and productive plant.
Hardiness zones: 5-9
20. Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)
Under the right conditions, Watercress can be a persistent and vigorous perennial that you can harvest its stems and leaves year after year. What are these conditions, though?
Since this perennial aquatic or semi-aquatic plant prefers moist environments, grow it near water sources or in containers.
Watercress leaves are peppery and nutritious. It will continue to grow and produce new growth over successive seasons.
Hardiness zones: 3-11
Conclusion
Growing perennials, fruits and vegetables you can harvest year after year opens doors to a world where the seasons may change, but the harvest is ever-renewing.
So, whether it’s the tangy zest of raspberries, the juicy bounty of citrus trees, or the perennial mysteries of artichokes, these plants are a great addition to your garden.
Hey there, fellow plant enthusiasts! I’m Rachel, the green-thumbed writer behind Rooted In Garden. With a deep-rooted love for all things botanical, I’ve made it my mission to help you cultivate a thriving collection of houseplants. As a devoted plant parent myself, I understand the joys and challenges that come with nurturing these leafy wonders. Whether you’re a succulent aficionado, an orchid enthusiast, or simply adore all potted flora, join me on this journey as we explore the secrets to growing and caring for our beloved green companions. Together, let’s create a flourishing oasis indoors.