Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! It’s Susan, your friendly neighborhood garden expert, here to share a secret that might just change the way you think about your garden – you can grow veggies on trees!

That’s right, forget those cramped veggie patches. We’re going vertical and exploring the world of edible landscaping with these 12 delicious vegetables that grow on trees. Get ready to add some height, shade, and a whole lot of flavor to your backyard oasis!

1. Drumstick (Moringa oleifera): The Nutrient Powerhouse

Often hailed as a “miracle tree,” the drumstick tree is a true gift from nature. Native to the Indian subcontinent, this fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree thrives in warm climates.

Culinary Delights: The long, slender seed pods, resembling drumsticks (hence the name!), are a staple in many Asian and African cuisines. Enjoy them in flavorful curries, stews, or even pickled for a tangy treat. Don’t discard the leaves! These nutrient-packed greens can be enjoyed fresh in salads, cooked like spinach, or dried and ground into a powder for smoothies and soups.

Nutritional Benefits: Drumstick is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s a rich source of Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as calcium, potassium, and iron.

Growing Tips: Drumstick trees prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds or cuttings and are relatively low-maintenance.

2. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus): The Vegan Wonder

Native to Southeast Asia, jackfruit is the largest tree-borne fruit in the world, with a single fruit weighing up to 100 pounds!

Culinary Delights: Jackfruit’s unique texture and mildly sweet flavor make it incredibly versatile. Unripe jackfruit has a meaty texture and is often used as a vegan substitute for pulled pork, chicken, or even crab cakes. Ripe jackfruit, on the other hand, offers a sweet treat that can be enjoyed fresh, added to desserts, or used to make jams and jellies.

Nutritional Benefits: Jackfruit is a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, and potassium. It’s also low in calories and fat, making it a healthy and delicious addition to any diet.

Growing Tips: Jackfruit trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil and can be grown from seed, grafting, or air layering.

3. Wild Jack (Artocarpus hirsutus): The Indian Delight

Closely related to jackfruit, wild jack is another South Indian treasure that deserves a spot in your edible garden.

Culinary Delights: The unripe fruits are used in curries and stews, adding a unique flavor and texture. Once ripe, wild jack develops a sweet, custard-like flesh that can be enjoyed fresh or used in desserts. The seeds are also edible and can be roasted or boiled for a nutty snack.

Nutritional Benefits: Wild jack is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s particularly rich in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant.

Growing Tips: Like its cousin, the jackfruit, wild jack thrives in warm, humid climates. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

4. Banana (Musa): The Versatile Berry

We often think of bananas as fruits, but botanically speaking, they’re actually berries! These curved yellow delights grow in clusters on a herbaceous flowering plant, which can reach heights of 25 feet.

Culinary Delights: From smoothies and pancakes to breads and cakes, the possibilities with bananas are endless. In many parts of the world, green, unripe bananas are used in savory dishes, adding a starchy texture to curries, stews, and even chips.

Nutritional Benefits: Bananas are a good source of potassium, an essential mineral that helps regulate blood pressure and muscle function. They’re also a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6.

Growing Tips: Bananas thrive in warm, humid climates with plenty of sunshine. They prefer well-drained soil and regular watering.

5. Rocoto Tree Chili (Capsicum pubescens): The Fiery Andean Gem

Native to the Andes region of South America, the rocoto chili, also known as the “tree chili,” is a perennial plant that can grow up to 10 feet tall. Its unique, fruity heat and vibrant colors add a touch of excitement to any dish.

Culinary Delights: Rocoto chilies pack a punch, measuring 30,000-50,000 on the Scoville scale (similar to a serrano chili). Their flavor is fruity and slightly sweet, with a lingering heat. Use them sparingly to add a kick to salsas, sauces, stews, and even hot chocolate!

Nutritional Benefits: Like other chili peppers, rocotos are a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and capsaicin, a compound known for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.

Growing Tips: Rocoto chili plants prefer warm temperatures and well-drained soil. They can be grown in containers or directly in the ground in warmer climates.

6. Raw Mangoes (Mangifera indica): The Tangy Treat

Before they ripen into their sweet and juicy counterparts, raw mangoes offer a unique tartness that’s a staple in many cuisines, especially in South Asia.

Culinary Delights: The tangy flavor of raw mangoes adds a refreshing zest to chutneys, pickles, salads, and even refreshing summer drinks. In India, raw mango powder, known as “amchur,” is used as a souring agent in curries and stews.

Nutritional Benefits: Raw mangoes are a good source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, and dietary fiber, which aids digestion.

Growing Tips: Mango trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil and can be grown from seed or grafting.

7. Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis): The Starchy Delight

Native to the Pacific Islands, breadfruit is a staple food in many tropical regions. Its large, starchy fruit can weigh up to 10 pounds and is a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes.

Culinary Delights: True to its name, breadfruit has a starchy texture similar to potatoes or bread when cooked. It can be boiled, baked, fried, roasted, or even ground into flour. Use it to make chips, fries, stews, curries, or even a unique and delicious bread.

Nutritional Benefits: Breadfruit is a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It’s particularly rich in Vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.

Growing Tips: Breadfruit trees thrive in tropical climates with high humidity. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

8. Olives (Olea europaea): The Mediterranean Gem

These small, oval fruits have been a culinary staple for centuries, prized for their unique flavor and versatility.

Culinary Delights: Olives are enjoyed around the world, adding a salty, briny flavor to salads, pizzas, tapenades, and countless other dishes. They’re also a key ingredient in olive oil, a healthy fat with numerous health benefits.

Nutritional Benefits: Olives are a good source of healthy fats, antioxidants, and Vitamin E. They’re also low in carbohydrates and a good source of fiber.

Growing Tips: Olive trees thrive in warm, dry climates with mild winters. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil and can live for hundreds of years.

9. Papaya (Carica papaya L.): The Tropical Treat

Native to Central America, papaya is a versatile fruit that can be enjoyed both ripe and unripe.

Culinary Delights: Ripe papaya has a sweet, juicy flesh that’s delicious on its own, in smoothies, or as a topping for yogurt or granola. Unripe papaya, on the other hand, has a firmer texture and a slightly peppery flavor. It’s often used in salads, stir-fries, and curries, especially in Southeast Asian cuisine.

Nutritional Benefits: Papaya is an excellent source of Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. It’s also a good source of fiber, Vitamin A, and folate.

Growing Tips: Papaya trees thrive in tropical and subtropical climates. They prefer full sun and well-drained soil and can be grown from seed.

10. Avocado (Persea Americana): The Creamy Delight

Often referred to as a “superfood,” avocados are known for their creamy texture, rich flavor, and impressive nutritional profile.

Culinary Delights: From guacamole to avocado toast to smoothies, the possibilities with avocados are endless. Their creamy texture and mild flavor make them a welcome addition to both sweet and savory dishes.

Nutritional Benefits: Avocados are packed with healthy fats, fiber, potassium, and vitamins C, K, and B6. They’re also a good source of antioxidants and have been linked to various health benefits.

Growing Tips: Avocado trees thrive in warm climates with moderate humidity. They prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

11. Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus): The Edible Thistle

While not technically a tree, artichokes deserve a spot on this list for their impressive height and delicious, edible flower buds.

Culinary Delights: Artichokes are a culinary delicacy, enjoyed for their tender hearts and flavorful leaves. They can be steamed, boiled, grilled, roasted, or stuffed and baked.

Nutritional Benefits: Artichokes are a good source of fiber, Vitamin C, and antioxidants. They’re also low in calories and fat.

Growing Tips: Artichokes prefer cool, moist climates with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seed or division and require a bit of patience, as it takes two years to harvest the first crop.

12. Bonus: Curry Leaves (Murraya koenigii): The Aromatic Essential

No South Asian kitchen is complete without a steady supply of fresh curry leaves. These aromatic leaves add a distinct flavor and fragrance to curries, stews, and rice dishes.

Culinary Delights: Curry leaves are typically added at the beginning of cooking, infusing the dish with their unique aroma and flavor. They can also be used to make flavored oils, butters, and even cocktails.

Nutritional Benefits: Curry leaves are a good source of antioxidants and have been used in traditional medicine for their various health benefits.

Growing Tips: Curry leaf trees thrive in warm climates with full sun to partial shade. They prefer well-drained soil and regular watering.

Embrace the Unexpected Bounty of Your Garden

Growing your own food is a rewarding experience, and it’s even more exciting when you can harvest delicious veggies straight from your trees. So why not add some height, shade, and a whole lot of flavor to your garden with these 12 incredible edible treasures?

Happy gardening, and happy eating!

For more gardening tips and inspiration, check out these resources:

• The Old Farmer’s Almanac: https://www.almanac.com/
• Royal Horticultural Society: https://www.rhs.org.uk/
• National Gardening Association: https://garden.org/