Best Fruit Trees for Las Vegas

People don't often associate our Las Vegas desert climate with lush fruit trees, but there are a variety of fruit trees that not only survive here, but do well and even thrive in Southern Nevada - including exotics that wont grow in other parts of the United States.

Las Vegas is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, and Sunset Climate Zone 11. Planters and growers should also be mindful of Microclimates and special conditions on an individual property.

Here is a list of some of our favorite fruit trees for the Las Vegas Valley.

Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Pomegranate is a fruit bearing, deciduous shrub cultivated in the Middle East since ancient times, was first brought to America by Spanish Colonists, and are now cultivated widely across the globe. Growing as tall as 30 feet, they can live for hundreds of years! They are hardy, drought tolerant, moderately frost tolerant (10*F), and do well in a wide range of soils. They respond well to all kinds of pruning, and with their flowers and characteristic twisted bark, they can make a decorative addition to any landscape or garden. It's fruit has a long history in cuisine and folk medicine, and represents a strong cultural symbol for many people. Here in Las Vegas, fruit is ripe and harvested in the fall. For easy peeling, break apart fruit in a bowl of water, the seeds will sink and the rinds will float. This is truly one of the lowest maintenance and most prolific fruit trees you can plant in Southern Nevada.

Fig (Ficus carica)

Hailing from the Middle East, the edible fig was one of the first plants cultivated by humans. They grow to be 30 feet tall, with dense canopies. They are seasonally drought tolerant and do well in poor soils. Fig trees can produce two crops of fruit each year, a minor "Breba" crop in spring, and a main crop in late summer or fall.

Dates (Phoenix dactylifera)

A palm that is seen commonly in landscaping across the Las Vegas Valley, people are often surprised to find out these are the same edible dates. In fact, many of these palms are sold to landscapers by date farms after they have gotten too tall for them to efficiently harvest from. These trees actually produce large amounts of fruit, and tree companies are often hired to trim the dates out to prevent the mess. Kind of a shame to see so much food going to waste.

*Note - Canary Date Palms (Phoenix canariensis) - also known as pineapple palms, another tree commonly seen around Las Vegas, does produce dates that are technically edible, but they have less flesh and don't taste as good. They're sap is used commercially to make palm syrup.

Mulberry (Morus)

This is a genus of many species, typically identified by the characteristics of the fruit (ex. black, red, white, etc.). A very fast growing tree, they can reach hights of 80ft, and make great shade trees as well. Heavy producers, fresh mulberry is a real treat because it does not save or travel well. Excess fruit can be preserved to use in jams, pies, teas, and wines!

Citrus

Citrus trees can be a bit of a hit or miss in Las Vegas. Even varieties known for doing well here can have mixed results depending on the individual planting location and the micro climates of a property.

Lemon (Citrus Limon) - Probably the easiest citrus tree to grow in Southern Nevada. Suggested Varieties - Eureka, Meyer, and Pink Lemon

Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi) - Another citrus tree we see do well around the Valley. Suggested Varieties - Marsh Seedless, Rio Red, and Oro Blanco

Lime (Citrus Aurantiifolia) - Typically the most tender Citrus, they are still a potential option. Make sure the tree's location is protected from wind.

Kumquat (Citrus Japonica)- Heavy producers of small fruit that can be eaten rind and all

Oranges (Citrus Sinensis) - Not necessarily known for doing well in our climate, but we have seen them work

Calamondin (Citrus Microcarpa) - Often grown for it's looks, it does produce small sour orange fruit. Originally introduced in America as "Acid Orange"

Pummelo (Citrus Maxima) - ancestor to the grapefruit, and largest member of the citrus family.

Tangerine/Mandarin (Citrus Reticulata) - good producers in the desert. Heat loving and cold tolerant

Tangelo (Citrus Tangelo) - A cross between Tangerine and Grapefruit

Plums (Prunus Prunus)

One of the oldest fruit trees cultivated by man, research indicates plum trees originally come from Iran. A plum tree can grow as tall as 40ft. They're beautiful spring flowers make great decorative additions to a landscape. Plums make great fruit trees for the desert. Suggested Varieties: Santa Rosa and Beauty - both are self pollinating, and are needed to pollinate other varieties.

*Note - Purple Leaf Plum Trees are typically grown for there flower blossoms and colorful foliage, but they do produce a small edible fruit, though it is very bitter.

Apricots (Prunus Armeniaca)

Another ancient tree, apricots were cultivated independently in multiple locations through the Middle East and Asia. An apricot tree can grow as tall as 40ft. Our favorite early producer. They are a little frost sensitive, but apricot trees love the heat and sunshine.

Peaches/Nectarines (Prunus Persica)

Though they are often characterized separately for commercial purposes, the peach and nectarine are actually the same species. Native to northwest China, evidence indicates they were domesticated as early as 6000 BCE, and quickly made their way across Asia to Japan, India, and westward to Persia. Alexander the Great was said to have brought them to southern Europe in 300 BCE, and Spanish colonist brought cultivars to the Americas in the 16th century. Growing as tall as 23ft tall and wide, these trees are relatively short lived at 7-15 years, but are also one of the first trees in the orchard to start producing fruit, typically in their 3rd year. Peach trees are known for their beautiful blossoms in the early spring. The peach tree, it's fruit, foliage, and flowers have strong symbolic traditions for many cultures across the world.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)

Native to south central China. This tree is naturalized globally and cultivated not just for it's fruit, but the leaves are used to make tea, and the wood is used for high end furniture. They also make great ornamental trees or shrubs. Loquat trees can grow to 30 ft tall. Unusual for most fruit trees, loquat flowers blossom in Autumn or Winter, and the fruit ripens from early Spring to early Summer.

Fan Palms (Washatonia)