The vibrant colors and unique textures of Asian fruits have captivated Australian taste buds for years. But there’s nothing quite like picking fruit straight from the source. Canned fruits don’t do them justice, and even the fresh stuff shipped directly to our stores are probably not that fresh.
The good news is that Australia’s climate isn’t unlike that in many parts of Asia. From the tropical havens of North Queensland to the cooler southern regions, there’s a little bit of something for everybody to grow.
Asian Fruits You Can Grow at Home
If you’re a fan of fruits from the orient, I have good news! There’s no shortage of what kinds of Asian fruits you can grow at home! The only question is, which one should you plant next?
1. Calamansi
The calamansi, also known as the Philippine lime, is a small citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia. It boasts a vibrant green rind and juicy, orange flesh with a unique flavor profile. Calamansi is best grown in Australia’s warm climate! Plant it in well-drained soil in a sunny spot. With some care, you can enjoy homegrown calamansi in just a few years.
- Flavor profile: Tangy citrus with a hint of sweetness
- Tree height: 2-4 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: Late summer to early winter
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 fruits per mature tree
2. Star Fruit
Star fruit is a visually stunning tropical fruit with a distinctive star shape when sliced. Its juicy flesh can be enjoyed ripe (sweet and tangy) or unripe (tart and crunchy). Star fruit thrives in North Australia’s warm, humid climate. Plant it in a shady part of your garden.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and tangy when ripe, tart and crunchy when unripe
- Tree height: 3-6 meters
- Years to maturity: 4-7 years
- Fruiting season: Throughout the year in tropical regions
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 fruits per mature tree
3. Chestnut
The chestnut offers a unique and delicious addition to the temperate garden. Enjoy their sweet, nutty flavor roasted or baked in various dishes. Chestnuts thrive in cooler regions with distinct seasons. Plant them in well-drained soil with some winter chill.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and nutty
- Tree height: 15-25 meters
- Years to maturity: 5-10 years (can take longer for significant yields)
- Harvest season: Late autumn/early winter
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 nuts per mature tree
4. Jujube
Jujube, also known as Chinese date, is a delightful Asian fruit with a chewy texture and a sweet, date-like flavor. Enjoy them fresh, dried, or candied for a satisfying and healthy treat. This fruit can survive the warm climates with some summer heat. Plant it in well-drained soil and provide plenty of sunshine.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and date-like, with a chewy texture
- Tree height: 3-10 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-4 years
- Fruiting season: Late summer to early autumn
- Estimated yield per season: 100-200 fruits per mature tree
5. Peach
While not exclusively Asian, peaches offer a juicy and refreshing taste of summer. Their soft flesh and sweet flavor make them a delightful addition to any backyard. Peaches flourish in Australia’s cooler climates with distinct seasons. Plant them in well-drained soil with full sun and ensure they experience winter chills for proper dormancy.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and juicy
- Tree height: 3-5 meters
- Years to maturity: 2-4 years
- Harvest season: Late summer to early autumn
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 peaches per mature tree
6. Jackfruit
Jackfruit, native to Southeast Asia, is the world’s largest tree-borne fruit. Its spiky exterior hides a treasure trove of sweet or savory flesh, depending on ripeness. Jackfruit grow exceptionally well in North Australia’s hot and humid climate. Plant it with plenty of space for its massive size.
- Flavor profile: Unripe – starchy and neutral; Ripe – sweet and fruity
- Tree height: 10-20 meters (can grow even taller)
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years (can take longer for significant yields)
- Fruiting season: Throughout the year in tropical regions
- Estimated yield per season: 50-200 fruits per mature tree
7. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit, also known as pitaya, is a visually striking cactus fruit with vibrant pink or white skin and a contrasting black seed-speckled white flesh. Its flavor is mildly sweet and refreshing. Dragon fruit thrives in Australia’s warm subtropical regions. Plant it in a sunny spot with well-drained soil, providing a trellis or support for climbing.
- Flavor profile: Mildly sweet and refreshing
- Vine length: Up to 10 meters
- Years to maturity: 2-3 years
- Fruiting season: Summer and autumn
- Estimated yield per season: 5-10 fruits per mature vine
8. Durian
Southeast Asia’s spiky superstar boasts a pungent aroma that divides opinions. Its creamy, custard-like flesh offers a complex flavor profile for adventurous palates. Durian grows well in North Australia’s hot and humid climate.
- Flavor profile: Creamy, custard-like, with complex sweet and savory notes (strong smell)
- Tree height: 25-40 meters
- Years to maturity: 5-8 years (can take longer for significant yields)
- Fruiting season: Throughout the year in tropical regions
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 fruits per mature tree
9. Custard Apple
Also known as cherimoya, custard apple offers a delightful taste of the tropics. Its green, lumpy exterior hides a creamy white flesh with a sweet, custard-like flavor. Custard apple prefers warm climates with some winter chill. Plant it in a sunny spot. While it can tolerate some cooler temperatures, success is more likely in warmer regions.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and custard-like
- Tree height: 5-8 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: Autumn and winter
- Estimated yield per season: 20-50 fruits per mature tree
10. Kaffir Lime
Kaffir lime isn’t your average citrus! The bumpy green rind is the star, offering a powerful and unique aroma for Southeast Asian cuisine. The juice and flesh have a limited role due to their bitterness.
While the fruit is best suited to warmer climates, kaffir lime trees can thrive in Australia’s subtropics with some protection. Plant them in well-drained soil with full sun and enjoy the fragrant leaves for years to come.
- Flavor profile: Zest – Intensely aromatic (not typically eaten); Juice/flesh – Bitter (limited culinary use)
- Tree height: 3-6 meters
- Years to maturity: 4-7 years (may take longer to flower and fruit)
- Harvest season: Fruits available year-round, but leaves are harvested throughout the year
- Estimated yield per season: Limited fruit production (mainly grown for leaves); 20-50 fragrant leaves per mature tree
11. Mango
Mango reigns supreme in the tropics with its vibrant colors, juicy flesh, and sweet, sometimes tart, flavor. Enjoy them fresh, dried, or incorporated into countless delicious dishes. Mangoes grow well in North Australia’s hot and humid climate.
- Flavor profile: Sweet, sometimes tart, with a juicy flesh
- Tree height: 10-20 meters (can grow even taller)
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years (can take longer for significant yields)
- Fruiting season: Throughout the year in tropical regions
- Estimated yield per season: 100-200 mangoes per mature tree
12. Lychee
Lychee, with its bumpy red shell and sweet, floral-scented flesh, is a jewel of summer. Enjoy this tropical treat fresh or elevate desserts and cocktails with its unique flavor. Lychee thrives in Australia’s warm subtropical and tropical climates.
- Flavor profile: Sweet, floral-scented with a juicy flesh
- Tree height: 10-15 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years (may take longer for significant yields)
- Fruiting season: Late summer to early autumn
- Estimated yield per season: 30-50 bunches of lychee per mature tree
13. Kumquat
Kumquats are bite-sized citrus bursts packed with flavor. Unlike other citrus fruits, you can enjoy the sweet rind along with the tart flesh, making them a unique and delicious treat. Kumquats grow best in Australia’s warm subtropical regions. Plant them where they can receive tons of sunshine.
- Flavor profile: Sweet rind, tart flesh (eaten whole)
- Tree height: 2-4 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-4 years
- Fruiting season: Winter and spring
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 kumquats per mature tree
14. Pomelo
Pomelo, also known as a grapefruit ancestor, boasts a thick rind and juicy flesh. Its flavor profile ranges from sweet to slightly tart, offering a refreshing and vibrant taste sensation. Pomelo trees thrive in Australia’s warm subtropical and tropical regions. Plant them in well-drained soil with full sun.
- Flavor profile: Sweet to slightly tart, juicy flesh
- Tree height: 5-10 meters
- Years to maturity: 4-6 years (can take longer for significant yields)
- Fruiting season: Autumn and winter
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 pomelos per mature tree
15. Persimmon
Persimmons come in two delightful varieties: crisp and crunchy (fuyu) or soft and jelly-like (hachiya). Both offer a burst of sweetness with a hint of honey, making them a colorful and delicious addition to autumn. Persimmons grow well in Australia’s warm climates with mild winters.
- Flavor profile: Sweet with a honeyed note (crisp or soft texture depending on variety)
- Tree height: 3-10 meters (depending on variety)
- Years to maturity: 3-4 years
- Fruiting season: Mid-autumn to late winter (depending on variety)
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 persimmons per mature tree
16. Star Apple
Star apple, with its unique star-shaped core and glossy purple skin, offers a surprising taste. Its creamy white flesh can be sweet or tart depending on the variety, with a hint of citrus or anise. Star apple can withstand North Australia’s hot and humid climate. Plant it where it can get some afternoon shade.
- Flavor profile: Sweet or tart (depending on variety) with creamy flesh, hints of citrus or anise
- Tree height: 5-10 meters
- Years to maturity: 4-7 years (may take longer for significant yields)
- Fruiting season: Throughout the year in tropical regions
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 star apples per mature tree
17. Guava
Guava offers a burst of tropical sunshine with its sweet and slightly tart pink or white flesh. Enjoy it fresh, juiced, or incorporated into jams and desserts for a taste of the tropics. Guava can handle warm climates, tolerating some subtropical regions with winter protection. Plant it in well-drained soil with full sun.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and slightly tart, with pink or white flesh
- Tree height: 4-8 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: March to May (depending on variety and climate)
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 guavas per mature tree
18. Hog Plum
Hog plum, with its leathery yellow-green skin and tangy plum-like flesh, is a rewarding addition to your garden. Enjoy it fresh, in jams, or candied for a taste bud adventure. Hog plum flourishes in Australia’s warm subtropical and tropical climates. This easy-to-care-for tree offers a delicious reward in just a few years.
- Flavor profile: Tangy plum-like with a leathery skin
- Tree height: 15-22 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: Late summer to early autumn
- Estimated yield per season: 100-200 hog plums per mature tree
19. Longan
Longan boasts a translucent white flesh with a single black seed, hidden beneath a light brown rind. Its flavor is a delightful balance of sweetness and subtle musk. Longan thrives in Australia’s warm subtropical regions.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and slightly musky, with juicy white flesh
- Tree height: 10-15 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: February to mid-June (depending on variety and climate)
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 longans per mature tree
20. Loquat
Loquat, a charming evergreen tree, offers a unique taste of spring with its golden-yellow fruit. Enjoy its sweet and slightly tart flesh, or use it for jams and preserves. The fuzzy skin is typically not eaten. Loquat can handle most parts of Australia, except for very cold regions.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and slightly tart, with a fuzzy skin (not typically eaten)
- Tree height: 3-5 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: Early spring
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 loquats per mature tree
21. Wampi
Wampi, also known as wampee, offers a burst of juicy citrus flavor in a bite-sized package. Enjoy the sweet and slightly tart flesh along with the thin rind, similar to a kumquat. Wampi belongs in warm subtropical regions. This easy-to-care-for citrus tree rewards you with delicious fruit in a few years.
- Flavor profile: Sweet and slightly tart, juicy flesh with a thin rind (both edible)
- Tree height: 3-5 meters
- Years to maturity: 3-5 years
- Fruiting season: July to September
- Estimated yield per season: 50-100 wampi fruits per mature tree
