By Enmanuel Vasquez, FruitTree Direct, based in San Antonio. Updated October 2026.
Quick answer
The best fruit trees for San Antonio are low-chill, heat-tolerant varieties: figs (Chicago Hardy, Violette de Bordeaux), Orient and Kieffer pears, Methley plum, Fuyu persimmon, Pakistan and Illinois Everbearing mulberries, Salavatski pomegranate and Arbequina olive. For blueberries, grow low-chill Sunshine Blue in a pot. Skip high-chill trees such as Honeycrisp apple, Elberta peach, Bluecrop and Chandler blueberries: they need 800 to 1,000 chill hours, and San Antonio winters usually do not deliver that.
Why chill hours decide what grows here
Many fruit trees need a set number of cold hours each winter, usually counted as hours between 32 and 45 °F, before they bloom and fruit normally. Local nursery guidance puts the city of San Antonio at roughly 400 to 600 chill hours, depending on where you are in town, and recent warm winters have come in on the low side. A tree that needs far more chill than it gets will leaf out late, bloom poorly and give little or no fruit, even if it looks healthy.
San Antonio sits mostly in USDA zone 9a, with some 8b around the edges. Check your exact zone with our Find Your Growing Zone tool.
The best fruit trees for San Antonio at a glance
| Tree | Why it fits San Antonio | Pollination | Format and shipping | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Hardy fig | Zones 5 to 10, handles heat, tough and productive | Self fertile | Live plant, 1-gallon pot, ships now | From $57.95 |
| Violette de Bordeaux fig | Zones 6 to 10, compact, great flavor | Self fertile | Bare root, 2 to 3 ft, ships March to May | From $59.95 |
| Orient pear | About 300 to 400 chill hours, highly resistant to fire blight | Partly self fertile, better with Kieffer | Bare root, 4 to 5 ft, ships March to May | From $89.95 |
| Kieffer pear | About 350 to 400 chill hours, zones 4 to 9, heat and humidity tolerant | Partly self fertile, better with Orient | Bare root, ships December to March | From $57.95 |
| Methley plum | Low chill, about 150 to 250 hours | Self fertile | Bare root, 4 to 5 ft, ships March to May | From $89.95 |
| Fuyu persimmon | Zones 7 to 10, non astringent fruit you eat firm | Self fertile | Bare root, 4 to 5 ft, ships March to May | From $104.95 |
| Pakistan mulberry | Zones 7 to 10, loves long, hot summers | Self fertile | Live plant, 1-gallon pot, ships now | From $77.95 |
| Illinois Everbearing mulberry | Zones 4 to 9, fruit ripens over several weeks | Generally self fertile | Live potted plant, ships now | From $67.95 |
| Salavatski pomegranate | Zones 7 to 10, low chill, heat lover | Self fertile | Live plant, 1-gallon pot, ships now | From $77.95 |
| Arbequina olive | Zones 8 to 10, tolerates alkaline soil, compact | Can set fruit with its own pollen under some conditions | Live plant, entry-size pot, ships now | From $53.95 |
| Sunshine Blue blueberry | About 150 chill hours, zones 5 to 10, compact for pots | Self fertile | Live plant, 1-liter pot, ships now | From $44.95 |
Our top picks by goal
Easiest first fruit tree: a fig
Figs are one of the most forgiving fruit trees for South-Central Texas. They handle heat, do not need a pollinator, and often fruit young. Chicago Hardy ships now in a pot, so you can plant it this fall or winter. Violette de Bordeaux is the pick for flavor or a large patio pot. Give figs deep, regular water in summer and a thick mulch to keep roots cool.
Best for a big harvest: Orient and Kieffer pears
Pears bred for the South are some of the most dependable producers in Central Texas. Orient needs only about 300 to 400 chill hours, gives large, round pears with little grit, and is highly resistant to fire blight (not immune). It is listed for zones 5 to 8, so in the warmest 9a spots it is at the edge of its range. Kieffer is the tough homestead pear for canning and preserves. Plant both: each one helps the other set a heavier crop.
Earliest fruit of the year: Methley plum
Methley is a self fertile Japanese plum with low chill needs, about 150 to 250 hours, and it ripens sweet, red-fleshed plums in early summer. Two honest notes: very low-chill trees can bloom early and lose flowers to a late freeze in some years, and Methley is susceptible to bacterial spot in humid weather, so give it sun and good air flow.
Least fuss: Fuyu persimmon
Fuyu is self fertile and non astringent, so you eat it firm and crisp, like an apple. It is rated for zones 7 to 10, colors the fall garden orange, and fits a mid-size yard at 12 to 15 ft.
Best for heat and poor soil: pomegranate, mulberry and olive
Salavatski pomegranate loves heat and tolerates a wide range of soils if drainage is good. Pakistan mulberry grows fast and can fruit within a year or two, with sweet berries up to 3.5 inches long. Arbequina olive handles alkaline soil and stays manageable in a large container; protect young olives during hard freezes.
Blueberries: Sunshine Blue, in a pot
Blueberries need acidic soil, pH 4.5 to 5.5, and many San Antonio yards have alkaline soil. The practical answer is Sunshine Blue in a large container filled with an acidic (ericaceous) mix. It needs only about 150 chill hours, stays 3 to 4 ft tall and is self fertile.
Fruit trees we do not recommend for San Antonio
We sell these trees, but they are a poor fit for San Antonio winters, so we would rather tell you now:
- Honeycrisp apple: needs about 800 to 1,000 chill hours and is best in zones 3 to 6.
- Elberta peach: needs about 850 chill hours. In Bexar County, look for peaches that need far less.
- Bluecrop and Chandler blueberries: northern highbush types that need about 800 to 1,000 chill hours and are rated for zones 4 to 7.
- Pink Lemonade blueberry: rated for zones 4 to 8, so most of San Antonio is beyond its range.
When to plant fruit trees in San Antonio
- Potted trees (figs, mulberries, pomegranate, olive, Sunshine Blue): fall and winter are good times, so roots settle in before summer heat.
- Bare root trees (pears, plum, persimmon, Violette de Bordeaux): plant as soon as they arrive, while still dormant. Kieffer ships December to March; the others ship March to May. Reserve early so your tree ships at the start of its window.
Our guide to planting a bare root fruit tree walks you through it.
Tips for San Antonio soil and heat
- Drainage first. Heavy clay and caliche hold water. Plant on a slight mound or in a raised bed so roots never sit wet.
- Mulch deeply. 2 to 4 inches of mulch, kept a few inches off the trunk, keeps roots cooler and holds moisture through summer.
- Water deeply, not often. A deep soak beats frequent light sprinkles, especially for young trees in their first summer.
Frequently asked questions
What fruit trees grow best in San Antonio?
Low-chill, heat-tolerant trees: figs, Orient and Kieffer pears, Methley plum, Fuyu persimmon, mulberries, pomegranates and olives. Low-chill Sunshine Blue blueberry also works in a pot with acidic mix.
How many chill hours does San Antonio get?
Roughly 400 to 600 chill hours in a typical winter, depending on location within the city, and recent warm winters have been lower. Choose trees that need well under 600 hours.
Can you grow apples in San Antonio?
High-chill apples like Honeycrisp, which needs about 800 to 1,000 chill hours, are not a good fit for San Antonio. Pears such as Orient and Kieffer are a much more reliable choice.
Can you grow blueberries in San Antonio?
Yes, with the right variety and setup. Grow a low-chill blueberry such as Sunshine Blue in a container of acidic potting mix, because most local soils are too alkaline for blueberries.
When should I plant a fruit tree in San Antonio?
Plant potted trees in fall or winter so roots establish before summer. Plant bare root trees as soon as they arrive while still dormant.
Do you ship fruit trees to San Antonio?
Yes. Shipping is a flat $14.95 per order and free on orders of $149 or more, and every order is covered by our Arrive Alive Guarantee.
The bottom line
In San Antonio, pick trees for low chill and heat, not for the names you see in northern catalogs. Start with a fig, add a pair of Orient and Kieffer pears for a big harvest, and round it out with a Fuyu persimmon or Methley plum. Shopping for a colder area? See our guide to the best fig trees for cold climates.