What Fruits Grow in the South? Get to Know These Common Varieties

The southern region has a warm, humid climate with plenty of sunlight, and winter temperatures are generally on the high side, making it suitable for fruit trees that like warmth and moisture. As a result, far more fruit species can be grown here than in the north. When people talk about southern fruits, they mainly mean lychee, longan, mango, banana, pineapple, citrus and other varieties widely cultivated in this area.

The common varieties can be looked at by category. Lychee and longan are representative fruit trees of South China, with sweet, juicy flesh; mango, pineapple and banana are typical tropical fruits, common in Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and elsewhere; the citrus family is huge, with oranges, pomelos, mandarin oranges and others all holding a place on the national market. In addition, loquat, bayberry, star fruit, wampee, dragon fruit, passion fruit, wax apple and more are also fruits with strong southern characteristics.

Most of these fruits are not tolerant of frost, and when winter temperatures drop too low they are prone to cold damage, so their growing range is generally concentrated in areas south of the Yangtze River. Their ripening times are mostly concentrated in summer and autumn, and the fruits are generally full of juice and high in sweetness. Some varieties do not keep or transport well over long distances, so the taste of fruit picked and eaten locally is often better.

For people who like to grow things themselves, many southern fruits are also suitable for home cultivation. Dragon fruit, passion fruit, lemon, kumquat and others adapt well to pot growing, and can grow and bear fruit normally on a balcony or in a yard. As long as you ensure plenty of light, water properly and protect them from the cold in winter, you can enjoy the fun of picking fruit at home.