Growing fruit trees in the Houston area is very doable when you choose the right varieties. The key is understanding chill hours and selecting trees that match our climate.
What are chill hours? Chill hours are the number of hours per year that temperatures stay between 32°F and 45°F. Fruit trees need a certain number of these cold hours during winter to break dormancy and produce fruit in the spring. A tree that requires more chill hours than your area provides will either fail to bloom, produce poorly, or not fruit at all.
How many chill hours does Houston get? The Houston area averages approximately 400-600 chill hours per year, with Willis and Montgomery County typically landing in the 500-600 range. However this varies significantly year to year — choosing trees rated for 400 hours or less gives you a reliable buffer.
Our selection includes figs, low-chill peaches and plums rated at 400 hours or less, and pears like Kieffer and Orient that handle our heat and humidity better than most.
Houston fruit tree tip: Figs are almost foolproof in our area. If you've never grown fruit before, start with a fig — you'll be hooked.
The 'Flordaking' Peach is a reliable 3-gallon variety needing 450 chill hours. It produces large, flavorful, clingstone fruit with a classic red blush. An excellent, early-season producer for Willis and Houston gardens.
$49.00
Flordaprince Peach: Medium tree, 12–15' tall & wide. Chill hours: 150. Ripens mid-May. Large, firm yellow-fleshed peaches with 80% red blush. Sweet, melting flesh. Semi-clingstone. Self-fertile. UF release. Ideal for mild winters. Zones 8–10.
$49.00
Gulf King Peach: Medium tree, 12–15' tall & wide. Chill hours: 350–400. Ripens late April–May. Large, firm yellow-fleshed peaches with bold red blush. Sweet with hint of acidity. Self-pollinating. Disease resistant. Zones 7–9.
$49.00
The 'Texas Prince' Peach is a high-quality 3-gallon variety requiring only 450-550 chill hours. It produces large, attractive fruit with firm, yellow flesh and an excellent sweet-tart balance. A vigorous, dependable performer for Willis and Houston orchar
$49.00
Tropic Zest Three Peach: Medium to large tree. Chill hours: 150–250. Ripens late May. Medium to large yellow-fleshed peaches with classic tart-sweet flavor. High productivity in low-chill zones. Texas A&M release. Self-fertile. Zones 8–9.
$49.00
Orient Pear — tree, 15–25' tall. Chill hours: 300–400. Ripens late Aug–Sept. Large round fruit, yellow skin, firm creamy flesh, mildly sweet. Outstanding fire blight resistance. Partially self-fertile; heavier crops with a pollinator. Zones 5–9.
$49.00
Pineapple Pear — tree, 15–20' tall. Chill hours: 150–200. Ripens August. Large golden-yellow fruit, crisp flesh with sweet pineapple flavor. Fire blight resistant. Self-fertile; heavier crops with a pollinator. Deep South proven. Zones 5–9.
$49.00
Shinko Asian Pear: Mid-size tree, 12–15' tall & wide. Chill hours: 300–450. Ripens Aug–Sept. Crisp, juicy golden-brown fruit with rich, sweet flavor. Fire blight resistant. Cross-pollination recommended. Zones 5–9.
$49.00
Fuyu Persimmon (15-20ft) is a top-tier Houston choice. Low maintenance, pest-free, and self-fertile with stunning red-orange fall color. Enjoy medium, flat-bottomed fruit that is crisp and honey-sweet like an apple. Non-astringent. Only 200 chill hours.
$49.95
Gulf Beauty Plum: Medium tree, 12–15' tall, 10–12' wide. Chill hours: 200–250. Ripens June–July. Large, sweet plums with dark purple skin & amber-yellow flesh. Heavy producer. Cross-pollinate with Gulf Blaze or Gulf Rose. Zones 8–9.
$49.00
Methley Plum: 12-15’ upright, spreading tree. A heavy-bearing Houston favorite with showy white blooms. Features medium-sized, reddish-purple fruit with sweet, juicy red flesh. Self-fertile and heat tolerant. Requires 250-450 chill hours.
$49.00
Santa Rosa Plum — tree, 12–20' tall. Chill hours: 300–500. Ripens late June–July. Large deep red-purple fruit, sweet amber flesh. Tart skin balances the sweetness perfectly. Self-fertile; heavier crops with a pollinator. Zones 5–9.
$49.00
Garnet Sash Pomegranate: Compact shrub/tree, slightly dwarfed. Chill hours: 150–200. Ripens Aug–Sept. Large, dark red fruit with deep-red, sweet-tart arils. Heavy producer. Responds well to pruning. Self-fertile. Drought tolerant. Zones 7–10.
$29.95
'Parfianka' Pomegranate (10-12ft) is a top-rated variety for Houston. This heavy producer features large, red fruit with small, soft seeds and a complex, wine-like sweet-tart flavor. High-scoring in taste tests and self-fertile. Needs 100-200 chill hours.
$29.95
Salavatski Pomegranate — shrub/tree, 8–10' tall & wide. Chill hours: 150–300. Ripens Oct–Nov. Large orange-red fruit with deep red, sweet-tart arils and crunchy edible seeds. Exceptionally cold hardy — survives single digits. Showy orange-red blooms. Self
$29.95
The 'Sweet' Pomegranate is a heavy-fruiting 3-gallon variety needing only 100-200 chill hours. It produces large fruit with lighter-colored skin and exceptionally sweet, juicy arils with softer seeds. A heat-loving, drought-tolerant staple for Willis.
$29.95
Wonderful Pomegranate: Shrub/small tree, 8–12' tall, 6–10' wide. Chill hours: 150–200. Ripens Sept–Oct. Large, deep red fruit with sweet-tart crimson arils. Ornamental orange-red blooms. Self-fertile. Drought tolerant once established. Zones 7–10.
$32.95