10 Exotic Fruits You Can Grow in the UK

by Imogen Phillips on Jan 18, 2024

If you've ever dreamt of transforming your greenhouse into a tropical paradise, you're in the right place! At Exotic Fruits, we're on a mission to bring extraordinary exotic fruit plants to your home.

In this blog post, we'll explore the fascinating world of exotic fruits that you can grow right here in the UK. From the vibrant dragon fruit to the aromatic passion fruit, we'll guide you through the process of cultivating these gems in your own back garden. We'll also cover the easiest fruit trees to grow in the UK, and the best choices for growing fruit in winter.

So, let's dive in and discover the secrets of growing your very own exotic fruits!

1. How to Grow Dragon Fruit in the UK

If you're wondering, "Can you grow dragon fruit in the UK?" the answer is a resounding yes!

Start by acquiring some dragon fruit seeds – click the links to shop 4 different varieties of dragon fruit seeds from Exotic Fruits: Red, White, Yellow, and Golden.

Plant them in well-draining soil, keeping the pH between 6 and 7.
Maintain a temperature of 21-38°C for optimal growth.
With proper care, your dragon fruit will take about 1-2 weeks to germinate.
It should take around 6-12 months to bear its delicious, nutrient-packed fruits.

2. How to Grow Passion Fruit in the UK

Learn how to grow passion fruit from seed, and you'll have an enchanting addition to your garden!

Purchase seeds for 4 different passion fruit varieties to grow: Purple Passionfruit, Granadilla, Yellow Maracuya, Banana Passionfruit (Curuba).

Plant them in well-drained soil with a pH of 6-7.
Passion fruit plants thrive in a warm environment, so maintain a temperature of 20-27°C.
With patience, your passion fruit vine will reward you with luscious, aromatic fruits in about 1-2 years.

3. How to Grow Kiwi Fruit in the UK

You can grow kiwi fruit in a container in the UK. In fact, kiwi is probably one of the best choices for exotic fruit to grow in winter, since they tend to prefer cooler temperatures.

There are 3 different varieties you can choose to grow: Green Kiwi, Golden Kiwi, and Red Kiwi.

Click the links above to buy kiwi fruit seeds from Exotic Fruits.

Plant them in a large container with well-draining soil.
Provide support for the vines to climb.
Keep the pH between 5.5-7.0.
Kiwi plants enjoy a cool climate of around 14-24°C, making them ideal for the UK.
Expect your kiwi fruit to be ready for harvest in 3-4 years.

4. How to Grow Star Fruit in the UK

If you're wondering, "Can you grow star fruit in the UK?" the answer is yes, provided you can provide the right conditions.

Since star fruits prefer warmer climates, they can be one of the more challenging exotic fruits to grow. However, their celestial and mesmerising nature makes it all worthwhile!

Click here to shop star fruit seeds from Exotic Fruits.

Plant them in well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 5.0-6.5.
Star fruit trees thrive in warm climates, so aim for temperatures between 22-38°C.
With proper care, including regular watering and fertilisation, your star fruit tree will start producing its uniquely shaped, crisp, and juicy fruits in approximately 3-4 years.

5. How to Grow Guava in the UK

Turn your garden into a tropical paradise with guava fruit trees!

There are two different varieties you can choose to grow: White Guava and Pink Guava.

Click the links above to purchase 2 varieties of guava seeds from Exotic Fruits.

Plant them in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5-7.0.
Guava trees thrive in a slightly warmer climate, so aim for temperatures between 18-24°C.
Your patience will be rewarded in 2-4 years when the fruits begin to flourish, and you can enjoy the delectable taste of fresh, homegrown guavas.

6. How to Grow Pomegranate in the UK

If you want to start growing your own fruit and veg, pomegranate is a great place to start. Pomegranate trees tolerate a wide range of temperatures, making them one of the easiest fruits to grow in the UK.

Click here to buy pomegranate seeds from Exotic Fruits.

Plant them in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0.
Pomegranate trees tolerate various climates, making them suitable for the UK. They will grow in temperatures between 7-29°C.
Expect to harvest your first pomegranates in 2-3 years.

7. How to Grow Custard Apples in the UK

Elevate your greenhouse's elegance with the creamy, velvety richness of custard apples.

View the links below to shop a variety of custard apple seeds from Exotic Fruits.

There are a few different custard apple varieties that you can grow: Atemoya, Cherimoya, and Red Custard Apple.

Similarly, you can grow Sugar Apple (Sweetsop), or Soursop.

Plant them in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.0-7.0.
Custard apple trees prefer a warm climate, so aim for temperatures around 20-25°C.
With consistent care, your custard apple tree will start bearing fruit in 2-3 years.

8. How to Grow Papaya in the UK

Bring the tropics to your doorstep by growing your very own papayas; one of the most nutritious and delicious exotic fruits.

Firstly, click here to purchase papaya seeds from Exotic Fruits.

Plant your papaya seeds in well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0.
Papaya plants thrive in warm temperatures, so keep your growing area consistently above 21°C.
With proper care, you can expect your papaya tree to produce fruit in as little as 9-12 months.

9. How to Grow Snake Fruit in the UK

Snake fruit is one of the most unique and mystical exotic fruits, making it a truly exciting thing to grow. However, since it enjoys warmer climates, it is a more challenging choice.

There are two different varieties that you can grow: Salak Bali and Salak Pondoh.

Click the links above to buy two different snake fruit seed varieties from Exotic Fruits.

Plant your snake fruit seeds in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5.
These unique fruits prefer a tropical environment, so maintain temperatures between 25-35°C.
With dedication, your snake fruit tree will yield its first harvest in 2-4 years. Get ready to amaze your friends with this serpentine delight!

10. How to Grow Prickly Pears in the UK

The prickly pear - or cactus fig - fruit grows on a beautiful cacti plant that will transform your greenhouse into a desert oasis!

Since they tolerate a variety of cooler climates, prickly pears are one of the easiest fruit trees to grow in the UK.

Click here to shop prickly pear seeds from Exotic Fruits.

Plant them in well-drained, sandy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.5-7.5.
These resilient cacti can tolerate temperatures between 10-20°C making them well-suited for the UK.
With patience, you'll be harvesting delicious prickly pears in 2-3 years.

In Conclusion
There you have it – 10 exotic fruits that you can grow in the UK with seeds from Exotic Fruits. With a bit of patience, care, and a touch of green-thumb magic, you can transform your garden or greenhouse into a vibrant tapestry of tropical delights!