20 Fast Growing Fruit Trees, Shrubs And Vines

Vining grapes are a fantastic option for impatient fruit lovers. These fastest-growing vines can produce delicious grapes in just a few years, transforming your garden into a lush, productive paradise.

Not only do they offer a bounty of sweet treats, but their cascading vines also add a touch of elegance and natural beauty to your space. Native to North America, these juicy and tart grapes are a staple in Southern states and are enjoyed for their versatility in both fresh and baked goods.

Bananas are another fantastic option for impatient fruit lovers as they are one of the fastest-growing fruit trees. These herbaceous plants grow from a rhizome underground and produce a pseudostem, which looks like a thick, upright trunk but is actually made up of leaf sheaths.

From this pseudostem emerges a single bunch of bananas, followed by the development of another pseudostem and another bunch of bananas.

Bananas are surprisingly fast-growing, with some varieties producing fruit in as little as 15-18 months after planting. They come in a wide variety of sizes and flavors, making them a versatile and delicious addition to any diet.

The Ice Cream Mango tree is a dwarf variety of mango tree that is perfect for people looking for fruits that grow fast. It originated in Trinidad and Tobago and was later introduced to Florida.  Unlike other mango trees that can take years to fruit, the Ice Cream Mango tree can start producing fruit in just 3-4 years after planting.

The fruit of the Ice Cream Mango tree is small and flattened, weighing about 8 ounces. It has a greenish-yellow skin that is thick but easy to peel. Furthermore, the flesh is yellow, soft, melting, and juicy, with a sweet and rich flavor that is reminiscent of mango sorbet.

Wondering what fruit tree grows the fastest? In that case, look no further than the Santa Rosa Plum Tree. It is a favorite amongst home gardeners and farmers markets alike. This delicious fruit tree was developed by famed horticulturist Luther Burbank in 1906 out of his home in Santa Rosa, California.

While commercial production of Santa Rosa plums is rare, it makes a stunning ornamental tree with its showy, pinkish-white blossoms that grace the branches in spring. Regarding its taste, the plums are sweet, slightly tart flavor, and have a deep purple to red color.

One of the fast-growing fruits, the columnar apple, grows in a unique and space-saving dwarf tree. This is the best option for home gardeners who want to enjoy homegrown apples without the need for a sprawling orchard.

Unlike traditional apple trees that can grow upwards of 20 feet wide, columnar apple trees have a naturally narrow, upright growth habit.

They typically mature to a height of 8-10 feet and a width of only 18-24 inches, making them ideal for smaller yards, patios, or even container planting. This tree can bear fruit within 2-3 years in comparison to the traditional tree which fruits in about 5-7 years.

Sour cherry, also known as tart cherry or dwarf cherry, is a species of Prunus in the subgenus Cerasus. It is native to much of Europe, North Africa, and West Asia.

Sour cherry trees are cultivated for their edible fruit, though they are rather sour when eaten raw. Tart cherry trees typically grow to be 4-10 meters tall, while sweet cherry trees can reach heights of 15-20 meters.

It has more twiggy branches compared to sweet cherry trees. But what does this fast-producing fruit taste like? Sour cherries are smaller than sweet cherries and have a more acidic taste.

The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern United States and Canada, cultivated for its delicious fruit. Unlike many other fruit trees, pawpaws are known for their relatively fast growth and ability to fruit earlier. However, it won't be an overnight success, as you still have to wait years and years to enjoy your harvest.

Pawpaw trees grown from seeds can take a longer time to bear fruit, typically 5-8 years after planting. Opt for grafted trees, which can start producing fruit as early as 3-4 years after planting.

The Meyer lemon tree (Citrus × meyeri) is popular for home gardeners seeking a fast harvesting and delicious citrus option. This hybrid between a lemon and an orange or mandarin is known for its abundant fruit production and slightly sweeter flavor compared to traditional lemons. 

While technically a tree, it is one of the fastest growing shrubs that can reach mature heights of around 6-10 feet (2-3 meters) if left unpruned. If planted from seeds, these shrubs will bear fruits anywhere from 3 to 7 years. Therefore, it is recommended to plant a grafted version as they typically bear fruit within 2-3 years after planting.

The Celeste fig tree is known for its adaptability, sweetness, and ability to thrive in humid climates. Compared to other fig varieties, Celeste fig trees are considered fast-growing.

You can expect them to reach maturity and start producing fruit within 3-5 years of planting. While not the most cold-tolerant fig variety, these figs are hardier than many others.

With proper winter protection, they can withstand temperatures down to around -5°F (-20°C). Additionally, these trees typically mature at a height of 7 to 10 feet (2-3 meters) with a spread of 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters), making them suitable for smaller gardens or container planting.

Compared to traditional peach trees, Dwarf Elberta peach trees are considered fast-growing. They are the perfect choice for fruit lovers who want to enjoy delicious homegrown peaches in a relatively short amount of time. As they are fast-growing, you can expect them to reach maturity and start producing fruit within 2-3 years of planting.

 These trees typically mature at a height of 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters), making them ideal for smaller gardens or even container planting.

Despite their compact size, Dwarf Elberta peach trees are known for their abundant fruit production. And the fruit is a classic peach–yellow with a crimson blush. It has a freestone pit, meaning the flesh separates easily from the pit. Plus, the flesh is yellow and juicy with a sweet and delicious flavor.

The Asian persimmon is a delicious and rewarding fruit tree to grow in your home garden. Originating in China over 2,000 years ago, it's now cultivated in many parts of the world, including Eastern Asia, North America, and Europe. There are two main types of Asian persimmons: crisp when firm and soft and ripe.

The other persimmons have a high level of tannins, which creates a mouth-puckering sensation when eaten unripe. However, the astringency disappears as the fruit ripens and becomes very soft. These persimmon trees are also considered fast-growing compared to other fruit trees, as you can expect them to reach maturity and start producing fruit within 4-6 years of planting.

Originating in East Asia, Asian pears have been cultivated for centuries and are now enjoyed around the world. Although they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, they are typically round or oval with russeted brown or yellow skin. The flesh is crisp and white, with a sweet and slightly tart flavor.

The fruits typically ripen in late summer or early fall, depending on the variety. Similarly, you can expect them to reach maturity and produce fruit within 3-4 years of planting, making them an excellent option for jumpy gardeners.

Blackberries are not technically a tree, but rather a bramble fruit – an aggregate fruit produced by many species in the genus Rubus, in the family Rosaceae, which also includes raspberries and roses.  Blackberry bushes are perennial plants with biennial canes (stems) that grow from their roots.

These bushes are known for their delicious, dark purple, or black-colored fruit. The blackberry fruit is technically an aggregate fruit composed of individual drupelets that fuse together. It is a good source of vitamins C and K and also contains fiber and antioxidants. You can expect your blackberry bushes to produce fruit within 2-3 years of planting.

The Mexican Key Lime Tree, with its moderately sized, evergreen fruit, is a popular choice for home gardeners seeking a citrus tree with delicious, tart fruit perfect for culinary uses. It grows vigorously and bushy, reaching heights of 6 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters) tall.

Like other trees, propagating limes from seeds can take 5 to 9 years to produce fruits. But if you plant a grafted tree, you can harvest this lime within 3-4 years of planting.

Blueberries are delicious and nutritious fruits that are native to North America. They are not only enjoyed fresh but also used in jams, pies, muffins, and other treats. Blueberry bushes are a popular choice for home gardeners due to their ease of care, attractive foliage, and of course, the delicious fruit they produce.

They are perennial shrubs, meaning they live for many years and can be expected to produce fruit for a decade or more with proper care. These shrubs are also considered moderately fast-growing. So, if you made up your mind to plant them, you can expect them to reach maturity and start producing fruit within 3-5 years of planting.

The Early Golden Apricot Tree is a delightful addition to any orchard or garden, offering sweet, sun-kissed apricots in early summer. This small to medium-sized tree is adorned with profuse clusters of pink and white flowers in spring, followed by large, freestone, smooth, golden-orange fruits. They are perfect for eating fresh, baking, canning, or drying.

As this tree is known for being a relatively fast-fruiting variety compared to other apricot trees, you can expect your Early Golden Apricot Tree to start producing fruit within 2-3 years of planting. This is faster than many other apricot varieties, which can take 4-5 years or even longer to reach maturity.

Pomegranate trees are known for their long history and symbolism. They have been cultivated for thousands of years and are mentioned in ancient Greek mythology and the Bible. Today, pomegranates are a popular fruit crop in many parts of the world, and they are also grown as ornamental trees for their attractive flowers and foliage.

While, it is prized for its deep red, jewel-like fruits, which are a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins. It typically takes pomegranate trees 3-6 years after planting to reach maturity and start producing fruit.

The gooseberry is a delicious and rewarding fruit-bearing shrub for home gardeners seeking a tangy and versatile addition to their garden. Native to Europe and western Asia, gooseberries have been cultivated for centuries. Today, they are grown in many parts of the world, including North America.

There are many different varieties of gooseberries available, with fruits that range in color from green to red to yellow and in flavor from sweet to tart. These bushes are fairly low-maintenance, and depending on the variety, you can expect your gooseberry bushes to start producing fruit within 1-3 years of planting.

Black Mulberry trees are known for their delicious, large, black mulberries with an intense, sweet flavor. This mulberry variety is well-suited for limited space as it can be controlled through pruning. You can maintain it as a multi-stemmed bush or train it as a single-trunk tree, keeping it as short as 2-6 feet tall after fruiting.

This mulberry is known for being moderately fast-growing and producing fruit. You can expect your Black Mulberry tree to start producing fruit within 3-5 years of planting, which is faster than some other fruit trees.

Dancy Tangerine is a delightful citrus fruit perfect for home gardeners seeking a sweet, easy-to-care-for option. These tangerines are known for their juicy, sweet flesh with a lower acidity level than oranges, making them a popular choice for snacking.

Compared to other citrus trees, Dancy Tangerines are considered fast-growing. You can expect them to reach maturity and produce fruit within 2-3 years of planting. The fruit is easy to peel and separate into segments, perfect for enjoying fresh.