12 Delicious Vegetables that Grow on Trees

Sheri Dorn is a versatile homesteader and culinary artist with a strong focus on organic and heirloom gardening. Holding a Master's degree in Culinary Arts, she combines her love for cooking and gardening in a unique way. Sheri is an active contributor to online gardening communities and enjoys quality outdoor time with her family and pets.
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We often relate veggies to small plants but do you know about the Vegetables that Grow on Trees? Well, we have listed the best ones for you!

Do you know about the Vegetables that Grow on Trees? Growing them in your garden will give you the best of both worlds – A shady tree with a regular organic harvest!

Have a Look at the Vegetables that Grow by Themselves here


Vegetables that Grow on Trees

1. Drumstick

Vegetables That Grow on Trees
Shutterstock/Ashvin dhapa

Botanical Name: Moringa oleifera

Also famous as Moringa, Drumsticks are rich in nutrients and grow in numerous numbers on evergreen, deciduous trees that grow up to 40-60 feet in height.

Culinary Uses

Drumsticks taste great in curries and stews. The leaves are dried and crushed to make a delicious powder that you can add to stews, sauces, and soups.

Learn How to Grow Moringa here

2. Jackfruit

Botanical Name: Artocarpus heterophyllus

With a subtly sweet and fruity flavor, Jackfruit tastes like a blend of pineapples, mangoes, bananas, and apples. Being native to India, the tree grows as tall as 60-80 feet.

Culinary Uses

It is a great vegan meat substitute; you can add it to curries or soups. You can also add it to the curries for its meaty texture.

Wondering How to Grow Jackfruit? Click here

3. Wild Jack

Vegetables That Grow on Trees 2
shutterstock/RyanChin

Botanical Name: Artocarpus hirsutus

The tree is native to India and is considered a fruit and vegetable. Unripe fruits are used as snacks and curries. The ripe ones are sweet in taste. Its seeds are used to make hummus.

Culinary Uses

You can eat it raw after removing the outer skin that is spiny. Like jackfruit, it can be used in curries, too. Edible seeds can be fried as a snack.

Check out the List of Most Exotic Fruits here

4. Banana

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Botanical Name: Musa

Banana is an edible fruit and, botanically, a berry that grows on tall lush trees. Being a tropical plant, you can also grow it for its large foliage!

Culinary Uses

Consume it in breakfast or pair bananas with yogurt, smoothies, or oats. Raw bananas can be added to curries, patties, or fried as chips. It can be added to bread, cakes, and pancakes.

Learn about Growing Banana Tree in Pots here

5. Rocoto Tree Chilli

Vegetables That Grow on Trees 3
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Botanical Name: Capsicum pubescens

Native to Peru and Bolivia, the Rocoto chilies are produced on a medium-sized shrub. The veggie has a crispy, grassy flavor that pairs well with almost anything!

Culinary Uses

Rocotos taste delicious in pasta, hot sauces, stews, salsas, and other dishes. Do not try to dry it like chili or make stuffings as it is not good for it.

Find out the Best Pepper Varieties here

6. Raw Mangoes

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Botanical Name: Mangifera indica

Mango grows on tall woody trees in tropical regions around an extensive part of Asia. The fruits are consumed raw or in the sweet and juicy form when ripe.

Culinary Uses

Raw mangoes can be a part of pickles, curries, and smoothies. You can also pair them with different veggies of your choice.

Want to Grow a Mango Tree in a Pot? Click here

7. Breadfruit

Vegetables That Grow on Trees 4

Botanical Name: Artocarpus altilis

This tree grows fast and produces starchy fruits, a staple in the Pacific Islands. The fruit derived its name from a flavor similar to freshly cooked bread.

Culinary Uses

You can boil, cook, bake, fry, or steam breadfruits. Make pancakes and fritters and blend them in flour to bake bread loaves. Use it to make stews, salads, curries, and soups.

Get the Best Guide on Breadfruit Tree Care here

8. Olives

Botanical Name: Olea europaea

Olive is an evergreen tree that produces oval green drupes, which ripen to black fruit with a single pit. It also makes for a good ornamental plant.

Culinary Uses

Olives are popular in Mediterranean cuisine. They pair well with poultry and fish and can also be used in recipes like citrus salad, deviled eggs, and roasted cauliflower. You can also add them to pasta, pizza, and bread.

Learn about Growing Olive Tree in a Pot here

9.  Papaya

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Shutterstock/Lifestyle Graphic

Botanical Name: Carica papaya L.

Native to the tropics of Mexico and Central America, Papaya is a nutritional fruit that can be used as a vegetable at the unripe stage.

Culinary Uses

Papayas can be a part of many delectable preparations starting from desserts, pies, curries, snacks, accompaniments, shakes, and smoothies. You can also use it to tenderize meat or add green papaya to salads and curries. It also pairs well with Thai recipes.

Learn about Growing Papayas here

10. Avocado

Botanical Name: Persea Americana

Avocados grow on medium-sized sub-tropical trees and can be enjoyed as a vegetable in many sour dishes. What’s more? They are also great-looking container plants!

Culinary Uses

Avocado fresh slices can be perfect additions to your pizza, burgers, and sandwiches. It also tastes delicious when you sprinkle it on typical Mexican dishes such as nachos and tacos. Add it to soups, salads, pasta, veggie wrap, or dips for a tasty addition.

Learn about Growing Avocadi Indoors here

11. Artichoke

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Botanical Name: Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus

Technically not a tree, but it can achieve an impressive height of 4-6 feet in the right conditions. The plant is quite popular for its edible flower buds all across the globe.

Culinary Uses

Tender artichokes taste great after sauteing in olive oil. You can enjoy them with dips or add them to meat dishes or salads.


Bonus – Curry Leaves

Vegetables That Grow on Trees 6
Shutterstock/Muhamad Herry Purnawan

Botanical Name: Murraya koenigii

Not a vegetable but a popular herb, the leaves of this tree offer a sweet, pungent aroma. It also makes for a lush and dense addition to the garden.

Culinary Uses

Curry leaves can be added to various sour dishes and are common in South-Asian cuisines.

Want to Grow Curry Tree at Home? Click here

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