Overview
The United Nations estimates for water usage per crop are stated below on plants for which data
is available.
See
Fruit Selection and Cultivation Tips for more information.
= Top 10 best tasting
fruits of the world when harvested fully ripe (selected varieties only).
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: Low to Intermediate
Almond: Prunus dulcis
A tree producing edible seeds. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 1927 gallons per pound of seed harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) 
=
extra water and afternoon shade in high temperatures.
Apple: Malus pumila
Fruit tree. Moderate drought tolerance. Estimated water use: 98 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) 
=
extra water.
Apple Cactus: Cereus repandus
A columnar cactus with edible fruit.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect tips from freezing, part shade in first year.
Apricot / Aprium: Prunus armeniaca
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 154 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
afternoon shade, extra water.
Banana: Musa
A fruiting herb. Not drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 94 gallons per pound of bananas harvested,
192 gallons per pound of plantains harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
extra water, afternoon shade, wind protection, protection from freezing.
Banana Yucca: Yucca baccata
A fruiting succulent shrub. Drought and heat tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability 
=
excellent.
Barbados Cherry: Malpighia emarginata
Fruit tree. Moderate drought tolerance.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes.
Blackberry / Boysenberry: Rubus ursinus
A fruiting cane thicket. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 45 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
full afternoon shade, thick mulch over root area.
Carob: Ceratonia siliqua
A tree with cocoa-flavored seedpods. Drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 668 gallons per pound of dried fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
excellent.
Citrus
Grapefruit: Citrus paradisi
Estimated water use: 61 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
sunscald protection.
Kumquat: Citrus japonica
Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
afternoon shade, sunscald protection.
Lemon: Citrus limon
Estimated water use: 77 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
sunscald protection.
Lime: Citrus latifolia, etc.
Estimated water use: 77 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
sunscald protection.
Mandarin / Tangerine: Citrus reticulata
More cold hardy than most citrus. Estimated water use: 90 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
sunscald protection.
Orange: Citrus sinensis
Estimated water use: 67 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
sunscald protection.
Date: Phoenix dactylifera
A fruiting palm. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 273 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water when fruiting.
Elderberry: Sambucus
A fruiting shrub or small tree. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability (most cultivars) =
extra water to carry fruit and retain leaves.
Fig: Ficus carica
A tree where green figs contain flowers and ripe figs are fruit. Drought tolerant with loss of crop.
Estimated water use: 94 gallons per pound of fresh fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (most cultivars) =
extra water in hottest months to retain fruit.
Goji Berry: Lycium Barbarum
A fruiting shrub. Not drought tolerant at high temperatures.
Hot dry climate suitability =
often fruits poorly in high temperatures.
Golden Berry / Cape Gooseberry: Physalis peruviana
A fruiting herb.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protection from frost, all day 50% shade, protection from insect and mammal predation.
Grape: Vitis vinifera
A vine with clustered fruit. Drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 73 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
excellent.
Guamuchil: Pithecellobium dulce
Bean pod tree with tasty filling.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezing temperatures when young.
Guava: Psidium guajava
Fruit tree or shrub. Estimated water use: 216 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
protection from frost, afternoon shade, extra water.
Jamaican Cherry: Muntingia calabura
Tropical fruit tree.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protection from frost, part shade in high temperatures, extra water.
Jujube: Ziziphus jujuba
Fruit tree. Drought and heat tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability (most cultivars) =
excellent.
Loquat: Eriobotrya japonica
Fruit tree. Not drought tolerant in high temperatures.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water, afternoon shade.
Mandarin Melon Berry: Maclura tricuspidata
Fruit tree.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water when fruiting.
Mango: Mangifera indica
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 216 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protection from freezing, afternoon shade, extra water.
Moringa: Moringa oleifera
A tree with edible seedpods, leaves and flowers. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes.
Mulberry: Morus species
Fruit, shade or ornamental tree. Somewhat drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water when fruiting.
Natal Plum: Carissa macrocarpa
A fruiting shrub, small tree or groundcover. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
proper location.
Olive: Olea europaea
An ornamental fruit tree. Drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 361 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability = excellent.
Pacay / Ice Cream Bean: Inga feuilleei
Tropical bean pod tree with edible filling.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water in high temperatures, protect from freezing when young.
Papaya: Carica papaya
A single-stemmed, giant herb, taking the form of a palm tree as it grows. Not drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 55 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes, water according to temperature.
Passion Fruit: Passiflora
A vine with large, elaborate flowers and fruit. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
frequent water, protect roots from freezes.
Peach / Nectarine: Prunus persica
Fruit tree. Moderate drought tolerance.
Estimated water use: 109 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water.
Pear, Asian: Pyrus pyrifolia
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 110 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
extra water.
Pecan: Carya illinoinensis
A tree producing edible seeds. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
extra water.
Peppers, Chilies: Capsicum annuum
A fruiting herb. Drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 45 gallons per pound of fresh fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
raised garden bed, consistent water schedule.
Acca sellowiana: Pineapple Guava
Pindo Palm / Jelly Palm: Butia odorata
Fruiting palm tree. Drought and heat tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability = excellent.
Pineapple Guava / Feijoa: Acca sellowiana
An evergreen shrub or small tree with exotic edible flowers and fruit. Loses appearance
at high temperatures without deep watering.
Hot dry climate suitability =
afternoon shade, proper irrigation.
Pistachio: Pistacia vera
A tree producing edible seeds. Drought tolerant.
Estimated water use: 1361 gallons per pound of seeds harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
scheduled water when fruiting, high winter chill hour needs.
Pitangatuba: Eugenia selloi
A tropical, evergreen shrub with ribbed, yellow fruit.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes when young, extra water.
Plum / Pluot: Prunus salicina
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 260 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
extra water.
Pomegranate: Punica granatum
Fruit shrub or tree. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
excellent.
Quince: Cydonia oblonga
A tree with apple-like, aromatic fruit. Moderate drought tolerance.
Hot dry climate suitability =
proper location.
Raspberry: Rubus idaeus
A cane thicket with berries. Not drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 49 gallons per pound of
fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
fruits poorly without sufficient winter chill hours, needs shade and continually moist soil when
flowering and fruiting in high temperatures.
Sapodilla: Manilkara zapota
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes and provide shade in high temperatures when young.
Sherbet Berry: Grewia asiatica
Fruit shrub. Partly drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes when young, slightly acidic soil.
Strawberry: Fragaria x ananassa
A fruiting herb. No drought tolerance without loss of crop.
Estimated water use: 41.5 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
plant in early fall, all day part shade, daily water, proper soil and enclosure.
Surinam Cherry: Eugenia uniflora
Tropical fruit tree.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes when young, extra water.
Tamarind: Tamarindus indica
Tropical bean pod tree with edible pulp.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezing, proper water.
Tomato: Solanum lycopersicum
A fruiting herb. Some cultivars have moderate drought tolerance.
Estimated water use: 26 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability (some cultivars) =
consistent water schedule, 50% shade all day, proper soil, raised garden bed.
Walnut: Juglans regia
A tree producing edible seeds. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
needs extra water, stressed by high temperatures, needs wide and deep soil, kills plants
growing underneath.
White Sapote: Casimiroa edulis
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
provide all day shade and extra water in the first two years.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL: High
Avocado: Persea americana
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 237 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability 
=
special care first three years including shade, proper soil and mulch, regular water.
After four years in the ground .
Blueberry: Vaccinium
A fruiting shrub. Not drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 101 gallons per pound of fruit
harvested. Hot dry climate suitability =
grow in container with acidic soil, daily water, afternoon shade.
Capulin Cherry: Prunus salicifolia
Fruit tree. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
extra water, slightly acidic soil, saline sensitive, does poorly in a container, difficult to
establish below 4000' elevation.
Cherimoya: Annona cherimola
Fruit tree. Not drought tolerant at high temperatures.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezing, high temperatures and drying wind, provide all day part shade in hot months.
Cherry of the Rio Grande: Eugenia involucrata
Tropical fruit tree. Drought tolerant with loss of fruit.
Hot dry climate suitability =
enriched soil, full shade, basin irrigation.
Cherry, Sweet: Prunus avium
Fruit tree. Drought tolerant with proper rootstock.
Estimated water use: 192 gallons per pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability 
=
flowers and fruits poorly in USDA zone 9 and above.
Dragon Fruit: Hylocereus
A fruiting cactus vine. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezing, water by a schedule while fruiting, part shade all day in hot months.
Grumichama / Brazilian Cherry: Eugenia brasiliensis
A fruit shrub or tree. Drought intolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
water daily while fruiting, part shade all day in hot months, protect from freezing and strong
winds when young.
Jaboticaba: Plinia cauliflora
A shrub or tree with dark, grape-like fruit growing directly from its trunks and main branches.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes, frequent irrigation, extra shade in the first three years.
Kiwifruit: Actinidia deliciosa
A vine with fuzzy brown fruit. Not drought tolerant. Estimated water use: 62 gallons per
pound of fruit harvested.
Hot dry climate suitability =
deep acidic soil, all day part shade, frequent irrigation.
Longan: Dimocarpus longan
A tree related to Lychee, but with less tasty fruit. Except for young seedlings surviving slightly
lower temperatures, it needs the same growing conditions as Lychee. Wherever Longan can easily grow,
Lychee is preferred for its superior flavor.
Hot dry climate suitability .
Lychee: Litchi chinensis
A tree with red, rough-skinned fruit. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
when young, provide filtered morning shade and full afternoon shade, protect from hot, dry
wind and freezes; always provide extra water for moist, acidic soil with high organic content;
saline sensitive.
Peanut Butter Tree: Bunchosia glandulifera
Fruit tree. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
afternoon shade, extra water, high organic content soil, protect from freezes when young.
Persimmon, Asian: Diospyros kaki
Fruit tree. Not drought tolerant at high temperatures.
Hot dry climate suitability =
automatic temperature-based irrigation, afternoon shade, pH neutral soil with high organic
content.
Spanish Lime: Melicoccus bijugatus
Tropical fruit tree. Drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes when young, all day part shade, extra water.
Starfruit: Averrhoa carambola
Tropical fruit tree. Not drought tolerant.
Hot dry climate suitability =
protect from freezes, all day part shade, extra water.
