Edible plants – hardiness zones compared (USDA, RHS, Canadian & Australian)

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All 424 edible plants in the catalogue, alphabetical by common name. Each links to a full page with its ratings across the USDA, RHS, Canadian and Australian systems.

Abiu Pouteria caimito – Amazonian tree with yellow fruit and translucent, jelly-like sweet pulp. USDA zones 10–12
Acerola Malpighia emarginata – Subtropical shrub or small tree (Barbados cherry) with bright red, tart fruit very high in vitamin C. USDA zones 9–11
Achacha Garcinia humilis – Tropical South American tree, now grown commercially in warm parts of Australia, with refreshing orange fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Achira (Edible canna) Canna edulis – Tall South American canna species with broad banana-like leaves and small orange-red flowers, grown across the Andean lowlands for the large starchy edible rhizomes — the source of "Queensland arrowroot" starch. USDA zones 7–11
Almond Prunus dulcis – Mediterranean fruit tree closely related to peach, grown for the seed inside the inedible hull. Pink-white spring blossom; needs hot dry summer. USDA zones 7–10
Amla (Indian gooseberry) Phyllanthus emblica – Subtropical tree producing small green-yellow fruit with the highest natural vitamin C of any commonly cultivated plant. A central Ayurvedic rasayana (rejuvenative). USDA zones 9–12
Angelica Angelica archangelica – Stately biennial or short-lived perennial with hollow stems that have long been candied as a confection. Aromatic root is a traditional digestive bitter. USDA zones 3–7
Anise hyssop Agastache foeniculum – North American prairie native perennial with upright spikes of lavender-blue flowers and aniseed-scented leaves. Outstanding bee plant and a fragrant tea herb. USDA zones 4–8
Anise myrtle Syzygium anisatum – Subtropical Queensland native with intensely anise-scented leaves rich in anethole. Culinary and digestive medicinal use. USDA zones 9–11
Aniseed myrtle Backhousia anisata – Rare subtropical rainforest tree from northern NSW with strongly aniseed-scented, culinary leaves. USDA zones 10–11
Annatto Bixa orellana – Tropical American small tree with pink flowers and spiny red seed capsules. The orange seed coating (bixin and norbixin) is the principal natural orange food and textile colourant — the colour of cheddar cheese, Spanish chorizo, and bottled fruit-flavour drinks. USDA zones 10–12
Apple — Anna Malus domestica "Anna" – Israeli-bred low-chill apple, one of the few cultivars that fruits reliably in subtropical climates. USDA zones 5–11
Apple — Antonovka Malus domestica "Antonovka" – Russian heritage apple of exceptional cold hardiness. Large yellow-green fruit, primarily culinary; also a common rootstock for cold-climate orchards. USDA zones 2–6
Apple — Bramley's Seedling Malus domestica "Bramley's Seedling" – Definitive UK culinary apple. Large, heavy fruit, sharply acidic, holds shape well when cooked. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Calville Blanc d'Hiver Malus domestica "Calville Blanc d'Hiver" – French heritage culinary apple dating to the 1500s — irregular ribbed shape, intensely aromatic, the classic apple for tarte aux pommes. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Cox's Orange Pippin Malus domestica "Cox's Orange Pippin" – UK heritage dessert apple regarded as the flavour benchmark for English apples. Aromatic, complex flesh; demanding to grow. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Cox's Pomona Malus domestica "Cox's Pomona" – Large UK heritage culinary apple raised by Richard Cox in the 1820s — sister seedling of the famous Cox's Orange Pippin but used for cooking. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Dabinett Malus domestica "Dabinett" – Traditional bittersweet cider apple from Somerset, England. Late-season, low-acid, high-tannin — an essential blender for English-style ciders. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Fuji Malus domestica "Fuji" – Japanese-bred late-season dessert apple. Sweet, dense flesh and excellent storage; a strong choice for warmer apple-growing regions. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Golden Delicious Malus domestica "Golden Delicious" – Mid-season yellow-skinned dessert apple, widely adapted across temperate climates. Reliable pollinator for many other apple varieties. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Granny Smith Malus domestica "Granny Smith" – Late-season green apple originating in Australia. Tart and crisp, an excellent keeper and cooking apple as well as a popular dessert variety. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Gravenstein Malus domestica "Gravenstein" – Early-season heritage apple, equally good for fresh eating, cooking, and traditional cider. USDA zones 4–8
Apple — Kingston Black Malus domestica "Kingston Black" – Highly regarded UK bittersweet cider apple, capable of producing a balanced single-variety "vintage" cider — rare among cider apples. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Monty's Surprise Malus domestica "Monty's Surprise" – New Zealand heritage cultivar with extraordinarily high phytonutrient content — among the most-studied apples for nutritional medicine. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Orleans Reinette Malus domestica "Orleans Reinette" – French heritage dessert apple from the early 18th century. Flat russeted golden fruit with intensely rich, almost nutty flavour. USDA zones 5–8
Apple — Pink Lady (Cripps Pink) Malus domestica "Cripps Pink" – Australian-bred late-season dessert apple — Lady Williams × Golden Delicious cross. Distinctive pink-blushed yellow skin and dense crunch. USDA zones 6–9
Apple — Roxbury Russet Malus domestica "Roxbury Russet" – Oldest documented American apple variety (Roxbury, Massachusetts, c. 1635). Russeted greenish skin, dense nutty flesh, exceptional keeper. USDA zones 3–7
Apple — Tropic Sweet Malus domestica "Tropic Sweet" – Florida-developed ultra-low-chill apple bred for subtropical climates where conventional apples fail to fruit. USDA zones 8–11
Apple — Yarlington Mill Malus domestica "Yarlington Mill" – West Country English cider apple — soft bittersweet character, mid-season. A reliable workhorse cultivar in commercial cider blends. USDA zones 5–8
Apple (domestic) Malus domestica – Deciduous fruit tree. Most varieties need cross-pollination from another apple cultivar. USDA zones 3–8
Apple berry Billardiera scandens – Light twining climber from southern and eastern Australia with edible fruit tasting of stewed apple. USDA zones 8–10
Apricot Prunus armeniaca – Small deciduous fruit tree producing soft golden-orange fruit in midsummer. Demanding because of its early flowering. USDA zones 5–9
Apricot — Goldcot Prunus armeniaca "Goldcot" – Cold-hardy Michigan-bred apricot — one of the few cultivars that fruits reliably in zone 4 and short-season climates. USDA zones 4–8
Apricot — Hunter Prunus armeniaca "Hunter" – Australian-bred apricot tolerant of warmer and more humid summers than most apricots. Suited to the New South Wales Hunter Valley region and similar climates. USDA zones 6–9
Apricot — Moorpark Prunus armeniaca "Moorpark" – Heritage UK apricot from the late 1700s — large, deep orange fruit with rich, full-flavoured flesh. The benchmark variety. USDA zones 5–9
Apricot — Tomcot Prunus armeniaca "Tomcot" – Early-season apricot ripening 2–3 weeks before Moorpark. Large orange fruit with red blush. USDA zones 6–9
Apricot — Trevatt Prunus armeniaca "Trevatt" – South Australian heritage apricot — the standard commercial variety in the Riverland for canning, drying, and fresh fruit. USDA zones 7–10
Araza-boi Eugenia stipitata – Amazonian shrub or small tree with large, tart, aromatic yellow fruit used for juice and pulp. USDA zones 10–12
Aronia (Black chokeberry) Aronia melanocarpa – North American native shrub with white spring flowers, glossy red autumn foliage, and clusters of intensely astringent dark berries. USDA zones 3–8
Asian pear — Hosui Pyrus pyrifolia "Hosui" – Bronze-skinned Asian pear with rich, complex flavour and high juice content. The reference variety for Asian pear quality. USDA zones 5–9
Asian pear — Nijisseiki (20th Century) Pyrus pyrifolia "Nijisseiki" – Most widely planted Asian pear cultivar in Japan and Australia. Pale yellow-green skin, crisp aromatic flesh eaten while still firm. USDA zones 5–9
Asian pear (Nashi) Pyrus pyrifolia – Round, crisp, juicy pear eaten fresh while still firm. More fire-blight resistant than European pears. USDA zones 5–9
Asparagus Asparagus officinalis – Long-lived perennial vegetable producing edible spring spears. A patch may remain productive for 20 years or more once established. USDA zones 3–8
Atherton raspberry Rubus probus – Vigorous native raspberry from northern Queensland with sweet red fruit. USDA zones 9–10
Australian bush mint Mentha satureioides – Aromatic creeping native mint from eastern Australia, a relative of pennyroyal, used for tea and flavouring. USDA zones 8–10
Australian native mangosteen Atractocarpus fitzalanii – Glossy-leaved Queensland rainforest tree with soft orange edible fruit; unrelated to true mangosteen. USDA zones 10–12
Australian native mulberry Pipturus argenteus – Fast, soft-wooded subtropical shrub or small tree from eastern Australia with soft white edible fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Australian native thyme Prostanthera incisa – Aromatic eastern-Australian shrub (a cut-leaf mint bush) whose leaves are used as a native culinary herb. USDA zones 9–10
Australian wild currant Antidesma erostre – Tropical northern-Australian shrub bearing small, tart, currant-like berries. USDA zones 10–12
Autumn olive Elaeagnus umbellata – East Asian shrub with silvery foliage and small red berries exceptionally high in lycopene. Once promoted for soil reclamation; now banned in many regions for its aggressive spread. USDA zones 3–8
Avocado — Bacon Persea americana "Bacon" – Mexican-origin avocado with smooth green skin and lighter, more watery flesh than Hass. Considerably more cold-tolerant. USDA zones 8–11
Avocado — Hass Persea americana "Hass" – The dominant commercial avocado worldwide — pebbly black-purple skin when ripe, dense buttery flesh with a high oil content. USDA zones 9–11
Babaco Vasconcellea × heilbornii – Ecuadorian papaya relative producing large seedless fruit with a strawberry-pineapple flavour. A reliable cool-climate substitute for true papaya. USDA zones 8–11
Bakupari Garcinia brasiliensis – Slow-growing tropical Brazilian tree with orange fruit and sweet-sour white pulp around the seeds. USDA zones 10–12
Banana — Cavendish Musa acuminata "Cavendish" – The dominant supermarket banana worldwide. Tall pseudostem (4–6 m) bearing a single bunch before dying back; suckers from base produce next-year fruit. USDA zones 9–12
Banana — Lady Finger Musa acuminata "Lady Finger" – Smaller, sweeter banana with thinner skin; popular across Queensland and northern New South Wales. Pseudostem more compact than Cavendish. USDA zones 9–12
Banana pitanga Eugenia anthropophaga – Obscure Brazilian cherry relative with elongated yellow-orange fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Bitter melon Momordica charantia – Tropical cucurbit climber producing warty green fruit eaten as a vegetable across South and Southeast Asia. Studied for hypoglycaemic activity. USDA zones 9–12
Black goji berry Lycium ruthenicum – Tough, spiny Central Asian desert shrub with anthocyanin-rich black berries. USDA zones 5–9
Blackberry Rubus fruticosus – Vigorous cane fruit with sprawling, often thorny growth. Modern thornless cultivars (Loch Ness, Triple Crown) make cultivation far easier. USDA zones 5–10
Blackberry jam fruit Rosenbergiodendron formosum – Compact tropical American shrub whose seedy fruit pulp tastes remarkably like blackberry jam. USDA zones 10–11
Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum – Deciduous shrub bearing intensely flavoured black berries packed with vitamin C. Cool-summer plant — declines quickly in hot dry climates. USDA zones 3–7
Blue lilly pilly Syzygium oleosum – Glossy-leaved eastern-Australian rainforest tree or shrub with powdery blue-purple edible berries. USDA zones 9–10
Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum – Compact deciduous shrub with edible berries and good autumn colour. Needs strongly acidic soil. USDA zones 4–7
Blueberry — Rabbiteye Vaccinium virgatum – Southeastern US native blueberry — taller, more heat-tolerant, and lower-chill than highbush types. USDA zones 7–9
Blueberry — Southern Highbush Vaccinium corymbosum hybrid – Modern hybrid blueberries bred to fruit reliably in low-chill climates. The mainstay of commercial blueberry production in southern Australia. USDA zones 7–10
Bolwarra Eupomatia laurina – Rainforest-understorey shrub or small tree from eastern Australia with fragrant, edible fruit. USDA zones 9–10
Borage Borago officinalis – Bristly annual herb with brilliant blue star-shaped flowers. Once sown, returns yearly from self-set seed. USDA zones 2–11
Boysenberry Rubus ursinus × idaeus – Raspberry-loganberry-blackberry hybrid developed in California and refined commercially in New Zealand. Large, deep purple, intensely flavoured fruit. USDA zones 5–9
Brazilian spinach Alternanthera sissoo – Low, spreading tropical perennial grown as a productive cooked leafy green. USDA zones 9–11
Broad bean (Fava) Vicia faba – Cool-season legume sown autumn through early spring. Nitrogen-fixing roots make it a useful cover crop and follow-on partner. USDA zones 3–9
Brooklime Veronica beccabunga – Low semi-aquatic native perennial with succulent stems, glossy rounded leaves and small bright blue flowers, creeping at the margins of streams and ponds. USDA zones 3–8
Buckwheat Fagopyrum esculentum – Fast-growing warm-season grain — flowers six to eight weeks from sowing. Exceptional phosphorus scavenger and an outstanding bee plant during its short flowering window. USDA zones 2–10
Buffalo berry — Silver Shepherdia argentea – Thorny silver-leaved shrub of the North American prairies and northern plains. Tart red berries are an Indigenous food source, traditionally sweetened after the first frost. USDA zones 2–7
Bunya pine Araucaria bidwillii – Massive subtropical Queensland conifer reaching 45 m with a characteristic dome-shaped crown and stiff spiny dark leaves. Bears enormous (10 kg) cones every 3–4 years containing large edible seeds. USDA zones 9–11
Burdekin plum Pleiogynium timorense – Large tropical and subtropical Queensland tree with dark-purple, plum-like fruit. USDA zones 10–12
Burdock Arctium lappa – Tall biennial with heart-shaped leaves and the famous bristly seed burrs that inspired Velcro. Roots are the Japanese vegetable gobo and a traditional blood-purifying medicinal. USDA zones 2–9
Bush tomato (Akudjura) Solanum centrale – Low desert-adapted Australian native solanum producing yellow-brown sun-dried fruit traditionally harvested by central desert Aboriginal communities. USDA zones 9–12
Calamondin × Citrofortunella microcarpa – Mandarin × kumquat hybrid producing prolific clusters of small acidic orange fruit. Excellent ornamental container plant; popular across Southeast Asia for cooking. USDA zones 8–11
Calamondin Citrus madurensis – Compact, ornamental citrus with small, very sour orange fruit used for marmalade and cooking. USDA zones 9–11
Calendula (Pot marigold) Calendula officinalis – Cheerful orange or yellow daisy-flowered annual that self-seeds reliably and flowers from late spring until hard frost. A traditional companion plant in vegetable gardens. USDA zones 2–11
Canadian serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis – Hardy North American shadbush tolerant of damp ground, with sweet dark pomes. USDA zones 4–8
Canistel Pouteria campechiana – Central American tree with orange fruit whose dense, dry flesh resembles cooked egg yolk or sweet potato. USDA zones 10–11
Cape gooseberry (Physalis) Physalis peruviana – Sprawling South American perennial grown as an annual in cool climates. Sweet-tart golden fruit wrapped in papery husks. USDA zones 8–11
Caper bush Capparis spinosa – Sprawling, spiny Mediterranean shrub whose flower buds are pickled as capers. USDA zones 8–11
Carob Ceratonia siliqua – Long-lived Mediterranean tree producing leathery dark pods used as a chocolate substitute and as livestock feed. Drought-tolerant; nitrogen-fixing roots. USDA zones 9–11
Catarina cherry Eugenia catharinensis – Little-known Brazilian Eugenia with small, sweet edible fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Cedar Bay cherry Eugenia reinwardtiana – Compact coastal shrub or small tree from tropical Queensland with sweet, small red cherries. USDA zones 10–12
Cherry — Compact Stella Prunus avium "Compact Stella" – Naturally dwarf form of Stella, reaching only 2–3 m. Ideal for small gardens, large containers, and patio cultivation. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Lapins Prunus avium "Lapins" – Self-fertile sweet cherry with crack-resistant skin — a major advantage in climates with summer rain at harvest time. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Montmorency Prunus cerasus "Montmorency" – The benchmark North American sour cherry — the basis of nearly all commercial pie cherries, dried tart cherries, and cherry juice. USDA zones 4–8
Cherry — Morello Prunus cerasus "Morello" – Acid cherry traditionally trained against north-facing walls in walled English gardens. The only cherry that fruits reliably in part shade. USDA zones 3–8
Cherry — Sour (Morello) Prunus cerasus – Smaller, more tolerant cousin of sweet cherry. Tart fruit for cooking, preserving, and liqueurs; a far more reliable garden tree. USDA zones 3–8
Cherry — Stella Prunus avium "Stella" – The first commercially successful self-fertile sweet cherry, bred in British Columbia. Black-red dessert fruit; reliable cropper. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Sunburst Prunus avium "Sunburst" – Large dark-red self-fertile sweet cherry — Stella × Van cross from British Columbia. Heavy cropper. USDA zones 5–8
Cherry — Sweet Prunus avium – Tall deciduous tree producing dessert cherries. Demanding — needs winter chill, low humidity at flowering, and protection from birds at harvest. USDA zones 4–8
Cherry of the Rio Grande Eugenia involucrata – Subtropical Brazilian tree with dark red-purple, sweet cherry-like fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Chestnut — Chinese Castanea mollissima – Smaller, more compact chestnut species with high natural resistance to chestnut blight. The standard nut chestnut for North American gardens. USDA zones 4–8
Chestnut — Sweet (European) Castanea sativa – Long-lived large deciduous tree producing edible nuts in spiny husks. Valued for both timber and food across southern Europe. USDA zones 5–9
Chicory Cichorium intybus – Versatile perennial used for forced blanched chicons (witloof), open-headed leaves (radicchio), or roasted root coffee substitute. USDA zones 3–9
Chilli — Hot (Capsicum chinense) Capsicum chinense – Species behind the hottest commonly-grown chillies — Habanero, Scotch Bonnet, Ghost, Carolina Reaper. Long warm season required. USDA zones 2–12
Chilli — Mild (Capsicum annuum) Capsicum annuum – The species behind most mild and medium chillies — bell peppers, jalapeños, paprika, cayenne. Grown as annual everywhere; perennial in frost-free climates. USDA zones 2–12
Chinese bayberry Myrica rubra – Subtropical Chinese tree (yangmei) with juicy, sweet-tart dark red fruit. USDA zones 8–10
Chinese hibiscus (Hawaiian hibiscus) Hibiscus rosa-sinensis – Tropical shrub with large open trumpet flowers in red, pink, yellow, orange, or white, each lasting a single day. Among the most widely grown tropical garden shrubs and the floral emblem of several tropical nations. USDA zones 9–12
Chives Allium schoenoprasum – Compact clump-forming allium grown for grass-like leaves and edible mauve flower heads. USDA zones 3–10
Chrysanthemum (medicinal) Chrysanthemum morifolium – Cultivated chrysanthemum with edible flowers used in TCM as an eye and liver herb. The same species used widely as an autumn cut flower. USDA zones 5–9
Cinnamon myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia – Hardy eastern-Australian rainforest tree or large shrub with spicy, cinnamon-scented foliage. USDA zones 9–10
Cinnamon tree Cinnamomum verum – Tropical evergreen whose dried inner bark is true cinnamon. USDA zones 10–12
Citron daylily Hemerocallis citrina – East Asian species daylily with pale lemon-yellow trumpet flowers that open at dusk and are powerfully lemon-fragrant overnight. The principal commercial daylily of Chinese cuisine (jin zhen, "golden needles"). USDA zones 4–9
Cleavers (Goosegrass) Galium aparine – Sticky scrambling annual that catches on clothing — and on itself — via tiny hooked hairs. Traditional spring lymphatic tonic; young shoots edible. USDA zones 2–9
Coconut palm Cocos nucifera – Iconic tropical coastal palm reaching 30 m, providing — from a single tree — drinking water, food, edible oil, roofing thatch, leaf weaving, structural timber, and the coir fibre stripped from the husk of the fruit. USDA zones 10–12
Coffee (Red Catuai) Coffea arabica – Glossy evergreen shrub grown for its beans, the roasted seeds of the red coffee "cherries". USDA zones 10–11
Coriander (Cilantro) Coriandrum sativum – Fast-growing annual umbellifer producing fresh leafy growth and then white flower umbels and aromatic round seeds. USDA zones 2–11
Cornelian cherry Cornus mas – Very hardy small tree or large shrub with late-winter yellow flowers and tart red fruit. USDA zones 4–8
Cornflower Centaurea cyanus – Brilliant blue annual once common in cornfields, now almost extinct in the wild. Easy to grow from seed and indispensable for pollinator-friendly annual displays. USDA zones 2–10
Cottage pinks Dianthus plumarius – Tufted blue-grey perennial with fringed pink, white, or bicoloured flowers carrying a powerful clove fragrance. The classic edging pink of British cottage gardens, distinct from the biennial sweet William. USDA zones 3–8
Courgette (Zucchini) Cucurbita pepo (Zucchini Group) – Bushy summer squash producing immature fruit picked young. Reliably prolific — three plants will more than feed an average family. USDA zones 2–11
Cowpea (Black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata – African and Asian legume serving simultaneously as warm-season green manure, fast-establishing cover crop, and edible pulse. Drought tolerant once established. USDA zones 3–12
Cowslip Primula veris – Native meadow perennial with clusters of nodding deep yellow flowers held above a rosette of leaves. Once common in chalk and limestone grassland. USDA zones 3–8
Crab apple ‘John Downie’ Malus ‘John Downie’ – Small ornamental crab apple with white spring blossom and abundant orange-red conical fruits in autumn. Among the best crab apples for both eating and wildlife. USDA zones 4–8
Cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpon – Low-growing North American native producing red autumn berries on damp acidic ground. Outside its native bog habitat, a difficult plant. USDA zones 2–6
Creeping raspberry Rubus rolfei – Low, creeping evergreen groundcover with crinkled leaves and occasional golden-amber fruit. USDA zones 6–9
Cretan mountain mint Clinopodium nepeta – Aromatic Mediterranean herb (lesser calamint) with minty-oregano leaves and a long bee-friendly bloom. USDA zones 5–9
Culinary myrtle Myrtus communis – Aromatic Mediterranean evergreen with white summer flowers and dark, flavouring berries. USDA zones 8–11
Daikon radish (Tillage radish) Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus – Long white Asian radish doubling as a "biodriller" cover crop. Roots punch through compacted subsoil up to 60 cm; winter-kills leaving channels for water and root infiltration. USDA zones 2–10
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale – Familiar lawn weed and traditional liver and kidney tonic. Every part is edible — leaves in salads, roots roasted as coffee substitute, flowers in syrups and wines. USDA zones 2–10
Davidson's plum Davidsonia jerseyana – Australian rainforest native producing intensely tart deep-purple fruit borne directly on the trunk and main branches. Exceptional culinary ingredient. USDA zones 9–11
Davidson's plum (Queensland form) Davidsonia pruriens – Tall tropical Queensland Davidson's plum with large leaves and sour deep-purple fruit borne on the trunk. USDA zones 10–12
Davidson's plum (smooth-leaved) Davidsonia johnsonii – Smooth-leaved Davidson's plum from northern NSW and SE Queensland with intensely tart purple fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Desert lime Citrus glauca – Thorny native Australian citrus of arid inland regions. Small green fruit has exceptionally high vitamin C and a sharp distinctive flavour. USDA zones 8–12
Dill Anethum graveolens – Annual umbellifer with feathery blue-green foliage and flat-topped yellow flower umbels. A classic culinary herb and a top companion plant for biological pest control. USDA zones 2–11
Dock — Broad-leaved Rumex obtusifolius – Common pasture weed with deep taproot and broad leaves. Traditional folk remedy for nettle stings — rub the leaves on the skin — and a useful biomass plant for compost heaps. USDA zones 3–9
Downy serviceberry Amelanchier arborea – Hardy North American small tree (juneberry) with sweet purple pomes and good autumn colour. USDA zones 4–9
Dragon fruit (Pitaya) Selenicereus undatus – Climbing tropical cactus producing large pink-skinned fruit with white or pink flesh. Spectacular night-opening flowers. USDA zones 10–12
Dwarf grumichama (black) Eugenia itaguahiensis – Compact grumichama relative with dark, sweet cherry-like fruit, well suited to containers. USDA zones 10–11
Dwarf jaboticaba (Costada) Plinia phitrantha – A more compact jaboticaba with ribbed dark fruit, well suited to containers. USDA zones 9–11
Dwarf mango Mangifera indica – Compact mango selection bearing sweet, aromatic fruit, suited to large pots and small gardens. USDA zones 10–11
Dwarf plum pine Podocarpus spinulosus – Low, spreading native conifer from eastern Australia with a sweet, edible fleshy fruit-stalk. USDA zones 8–10
Dwarf serviceberry Amelanchier spicata – Low, suckering, very cold-hardy North American shrub with sweet dark pomes. USDA zones 3–7
Elderberry Sambucus nigra – Vigorous deciduous shrub or small tree. Creamy summer flower heads (cordials, wine) followed by clusters of dark berries (syrups, traditional medicine). USDA zones 3–9
Elephant garlic Allium ampeloprasum (Ampeloprasum group) – Despite the name, botanically a leek rather than a true garlic. Produces enormous mild-flavoured cloves. USDA zones 4–9
Fat hen (Lamb's quarters) Chenopodium album – Cosmopolitan weed and one of the most nutritious wild greens — comparing favourably with spinach but without its oxalate content. Among the oldest cultivated plants in Europe. USDA zones 2–10
Feijoa (Pineapple guava) Acca sellowiana – Evergreen shrub bearing late-autumn fruit with aromatic, granular flesh. Exceptionally popular as a backyard fruit in New Zealand and parts of southern Australia. USDA zones 8–11
Fennel Foeniculum vulgare – Tall feathery anise-scented perennial. Valued for foliage, seeds, swollen stem bases (Florence fennel), and as host plant. USDA zones 4–9
Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum – Fast-growing annual legume — Indian culinary herb (methi), a galactagogue medicinal, and an excellent warm-season green manure with a distinctive maple-syrup scent. USDA zones 2–11
Fig Ficus carica – Spreading deciduous tree with hand-shaped leaves and edible fruit twice a year in warm climates. USDA zones 7–10
Fig — Black Genoa Ficus carica "Black Genoa" – Australian backyard favourite — large, sweet, deep-purple figs with strawberry-jam flavour. Heavy cropping. USDA zones 8–10
Fig — Brown Turkey Ficus carica "Brown Turkey" – The most widely planted fig globally — adaptable, self-fertile, reliably cropping. Brown-purple skin and pink flesh. USDA zones 7–10
Fig — Celeste Ficus carica "Celeste" – Among the most cold-hardy figs in cultivation — popular in the southern US. Closed eye on the fruit resists souring and insect entry. USDA zones 6–10
Fig — Osborn's Prolific Ficus carica "Osborn's Prolific" – Australian heritage fig — early-ripening, heavy cropping, with reddish-brown skin and red flesh. Reliable backyard variety. USDA zones 7–10
Fig — Petite Negra Ficus carica "Petite Negra" – Naturally dwarf fig reaching only 2 m. Small dark-purple fruit with bright red flesh; ideal for containers and small gardens. USDA zones 7–11
Fig — White Adriatic Ficus carica "White Adriatic" – Pale green-skinned fig with intensely honey-sweet pink flesh. The traditional drying fig of Italy and California. USDA zones 7–10
Finger lime Citrus australasica – Australian rainforest native producing finger-shaped fruit filled with caviar-like vesicles that pop when bitten. Cherished by chefs worldwide. USDA zones 9–12
Flapilla Disterigma alaternoides – Small Andean evergreen shrub bearing tiny, sweet edible berries. USDA zones 9–11
Flax (Linen flax) Linum usitatissimum – Slender annual with sky-blue flowers grown for linen fibre extracted from the stem and for linseed (flax) oil pressed from the seed. The single oldest cultivated fibre crop, in use for at least 30,000 years. USDA zones 4–9
Fragrant saltbush Rhagodia parabolica – Hardy, scrambling arid-zone saltbush from southern Australia with grey foliage and small red berries. USDA zones 8–10
French bean (Green bean) Phaseolus vulgaris – Tender warm-season legume in dwarf (bush) and climbing forms. Nitrogen-fixing roots benefit following crops. USDA zones 2–11
Galangal Alpinia galanga – Larger ginger relative widely used in Thai, Indonesian, and Malay cooking. Rhizomes have a sharper, more peppery character than common ginger. USDA zones 8–12
Garden pansy Viola × wittrockiana – Hybrid bedding pansy with larger flowers than Viola tricolor in almost every colour combination, with the characteristic face markings. The mainstay of cool-season bedding worldwide. USDA zones 4–8
Garlic Allium sativum – Indispensable culinary allium grown from cloves. Hardneck types produce edible flower scapes; softneck types store longer and braid easily. USDA zones 4–9
Garlic chives (Chinese chives) Allium tuberosum – Flat-leaved allium with mild garlic flavour. Important in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cooking; star-shaped white summer flowers. USDA zones 4–10
Garlic mustard (Jack-by-the-hedge) Alliaria petiolata – Biennial woodland-edge herb with garlic-scented leaves used as a wild salad green. Important early-season food plant for several butterflies. USDA zones 3–8
Ginger Zingiber officinale – Familiar rhizomatous perennial — culinary spice and traditional anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory remedy across many medical traditions. USDA zones 8–12
Globe artichoke Cynara scolymus – Architectural Mediterranean perennial grown for edible immature flower buds. Spectacular open flowers if harvest is missed. USDA zones 6–11
Goji berry (Wolfberry) Lycium barbarum – Cold-hardy Chinese shrub of the nightshade family producing small bright orange-red berries used dried in traditional Chinese medicine. USDA zones 3–10
Good King Henry Blitum bonus-henricus – Heritage perennial vegetable cooked like spinach. Once a cottage-garden staple, now nearly extinct in cultivation. USDA zones 3–9
Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa – Compact thorny European shrub with translucent green or red dessert fruit. Once a major British garden crop, now uncommon. USDA zones 3–8
Goumi Elaeagnus multiflora – East Asian shrub bearing tart bright-red speckled berries. Used in Japanese culinary traditions; significantly better-behaved than its invasive cousin autumn olive. USDA zones 4–9
Grape — Boskoop Glory Vitis vinifera "Boskoop Glory" – Reliable dual-purpose dessert and wine grape from the Netherlands. Suits cooler-summer climates including the UK and southern Australian tablelands. USDA zones 5–8
Grape — Cabernet Sauvignon (wine) Vitis vinifera "Cabernet Sauvignon" – Late-ripening red wine grape thriving in warm continental and Mediterranean climates. The basis of major wines from Bordeaux to Margaret River. USDA zones 6–10
Grape — Chambourcin (wine) Vitis "Chambourcin" – French-American hybrid wine grape with strong disease resistance. Suits warm-humid climates where vinifera varieties suffer from rot and mildew. USDA zones 5–9
Grape — Concord Vitis labrusca "Concord" – Mid-1800s Massachusetts cultivar — the dominant American species grape. Foxy-flavoured juice, jelly, and "Welch's style" sweet wine. USDA zones 4–8
Grape — Crimson Seedless Vitis vinifera "Crimson Seedless" – Late-season red seedless table grape from the USDA breeding program. Crisp texture and long storage life. USDA zones 7–10
Grape — Flame Seedless Vitis vinifera "Flame Seedless" – Bright red seedless table grape — Californian-bred, the dominant red supermarket grape worldwide. USDA zones 7–10
Grape — Isabella Vitis labrusca "Isabella" – American species grape with a distinctive musky "foxy" flavour. Far more cold-hardy and disease-resistant than European wine and table grapes. USDA zones 5–9
Grape — Muscat of Alexandria Vitis vinifera "Muscat of Alexandria" – Ancient table-grape variety with intensely aromatic green to amber fruit. Demanding of heat to ripen well. USDA zones 7–11
Grape — Pinot Noir (wine) Vitis vinifera "Pinot Noir" – Notoriously site-specific wine grape — finest expression in cool maritime climates with long cool autumns. USDA zones 5–9
Grape — Riesling (wine) Vitis vinifera "Riesling" – Cold-hardy white wine grape, the noble grape of the Rhine and Mosel valleys. Excellent in cool-climate viticulture. USDA zones 4–8
Grape — Thompson Seedless (Sultana) Vitis vinifera "Thompson Seedless" – The dominant commercial table grape worldwide and the basis of most sultana raisin production. USDA zones 7–11
Grape — Wine grapes (general) Vitis vinifera – Wine grape variety selection is highly localised — particular cultivars are matched to specific climates, soils, and aspect over centuries. USDA zones 5–10
Grape vine Vitis vinifera – Deciduous climber producing edible fruit. Needs full sun and good drainage. USDA zones 6–9
Grapefruit Citrus × paradisi – Large evergreen citrus tree producing pink, red, or white-fleshed fruit. Of all citrus, the most demanding of summer heat to develop sweetness. USDA zones 9–12
Greg's wampee Clausena smyrelliana – Rare south-east Queensland native related to wampee, bearing small edible fruit. USDA zones 10–12
Grumichama (orange) Eugenia brasiliensis – Attractive Brazilian tree with sweet, cherry-like fruit; this is the orange-fruited form. USDA zones 10–11
Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna – Thorny hedgerow tree with white spring blossom and red autumn haws. Backbone of British and Irish hedgerow ecology — supports hundreds of insect species. USDA zones 4–8
Hazelnut (Cobnut, Filbert) Corylus avellana – Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree, native to Europe and historically coppiced for poles, hurdles, and nuts. Excellent wildlife habitat. USDA zones 3–9
Heartsease (Wild pansy) Viola tricolor – Small short-lived perennial or self-seeding annual with tiny three-coloured (purple, yellow, white) faces. The wild ancestor of the modern garden pansy and a traditional edible flower. USDA zones 4–8
Honey locust Gleditsia triacanthos – Large North American legume with feathery foliage, sweet edible pods, and dappled shade — popular as a street tree because grass grows beneath it. USDA zones 3–9
Honeyberry (Haskap) Lonicera caerulea – Cold-climate bush honeysuckle producing oblong dark-blue berries with blueberry-like flavour. The first ripe fruit of the season in cold climates. USDA zones 2–6
Hop Humulus lupulus – Vigorous herbaceous climber grown for the resinous female cones used to flavour and preserve beer. Dies to the ground each winter. USDA zones 3–8
Horned violet (Viola cornuta) Viola cornuta – Tufted perennial Pyrenean violet with smaller flowers than the garden pansy but a more reliably perennial habit and a long flowering season. Excellent rock garden, edging, and trough plant. USDA zones 5–9
Horseradish Armoracia rusticana – Coarse-leaved perennial grown for its pungent roots. Once established, near-impossible to eradicate from a planting. USDA zones 2–9
Ilama Annona macroprophyllata – Central American custard-apple relative with sweet, pink- or green-fleshed fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Imbe Garcinia livingstonii – African Garcinia with thin-skinned orange fruit; hardier and more drought-tolerant than most of its relatives. USDA zones 10–12
Indian long pepper Piper longum – Tropical climbing vine related to black pepper. Catkin-like fruit is a culinary spice and a known bioenhancer in Ayurveda — increasing absorption of co-administered herbs and pharmaceuticals. USDA zones 10–12
Industrial hemp Cannabis sativa – Tall fast-growing annual with palmate leaves and slender stems grown for bast fibre, hempseed oil, hempseed food, and CBD. Industrial cultivars are bred to contain less than 0.3% THC and are regulated separately from drug cultivars. USDA zones 4–11
Irish strawberry tree Arbutus unedo – Hardy Mediterranean evergreen with red, strawberry-textured fruit and white autumn flowers. USDA zones 7–10
Jaboticaba Plinia aureana – Classic Brazilian jaboticaba bearing grape-like fruit directly on the trunk and branches. USDA zones 9–11
Jaboticaba (Coronata) Plinia coronata – A jaboticaba species grown for sweet, dark, grape-like fruit borne on the branches. USDA zones 9–11
Jaboticaba (ESALQ Red) Plinia cauliflora – One of the most widely grown jaboticaba species, with large dark-purple fruit on the trunk. USDA zones 9–11
Jaboticaba (Restinga) Plinia restinga – A jaboticaba from Brazilian coastal restinga habitat, with dark grape-like fruit on the branches. USDA zones 9–11
Jaboticaba (Z4 / Rondonia) Plinia sp. – Collector jaboticaba selections not yet formally identified to species, with trunk-borne grape-like fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Japanese millet Echinochloa esculenta – Fast-growing warm-season annual grass that thrives where most cover crops drown. Tolerates wet, waterlogged, and even briefly flooded soils. USDA zones 3–11
Jerusalem artichoke (Sunchoke) Helianthus tuberosus – Tall sunflower relative grown for knobbly underground tubers. Cheerful late-summer yellow flowers; productive on poor ground. USDA zones 3–9
Jostaberry Ribes × nidigrolaria – Thornless gooseberry × blackcurrant hybrid bred for disease resistance. Larger fruit than gooseberry, milder than blackcurrant. USDA zones 3–8
Jujube (Chinese date) Ziziphus jujuba – Small thorny deciduous tree producing date-like fruit eaten fresh (apple-sweet) or dried (date-like). Extraordinarily adaptable across climates. USDA zones 6–11
Juliana savory Micromeria juliana – Aromatic Mediterranean subshrub with savory-scented leaves used for tea and cooking. USDA zones 7–10
Jute Corchorus olitorius – Tropical annual reaching 3 m, grown for bast fibre extracted from the stems. The second most important plant fibre after cotton, used for sacking, hessian, twine, and increasingly geotextiles. USDA zones 9–11
Kakadu plum Terminalia ferdinandiana – Small deciduous tree of the tropical Northern Territory. Pale yellow-green fruit carries the highest measured vitamin C of any food source — around 3000 mg per 100 g. USDA zones 9–12
Kañiwa Chenopodium pallidicaule – Compact Andean grain crop closely related to quinoa, with smaller bitter-free seeds that do not require the saponin rinsing of quinoa. Tolerates extreme cold, drought, and altitude better than quinoa. USDA zones 4–9
Kawakawa Piper excelsum – Heart-leaved New Zealand native shrub of the pepper family. Leaves are a major Māori medicinal plant, used both topically and as a tea. USDA zones 9–11
Keriberry Rubus rugosus – Vigorous scrambling bramble with sweet, blackberry-like fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Kiwifruit — Green Actinidia deliciosa – Vigorous deciduous vine bearing fuzzy brown fruit with bright green flesh. Needs a sturdy permanent structure and serious annual pruning. USDA zones 7–9
Kiwifruit — Hardy (Kiwiberry) Actinidia arguta – Cold-hardy cousin of kiwifruit producing grape-sized smooth-skinned fruit eaten whole. USDA zones 3–8
Kiwifruit (Chieftain, male) Actinidia chinensis – A male pollinator vine for kiwifruit; vigorous and deciduous, it does not fruit itself. USDA zones 8–10
Korean mint (Hisop) Agastache rugosa – East Asian relative of anise hyssop with violet-blue flower spikes and aromatic leaves with a complex mint-anise-licorice flavour. A traditional Korean and Chinese tea and seasoning herb. USDA zones 5–9
Kumquat Fortunella spp. – The most cold-tolerant edible citrus. Small evergreen shrub with thumb-sized fruit eaten whole, peel and all. USDA zones 8–11
Lablab bean (Hyacinth bean) Lablab purpureus – Vigorous tropical climbing legume with ornamental purple flowers and pods. Fast-growing summer cover crop and a vegetable in many cuisines, but raw beans are toxic. USDA zones 3–12
Leek Allium ampeloprasum (porrum group) – Cool-season biennial allium grown for thick blanched stems. Tolerates hard frost in the ground — a useful winter vegetable. USDA zones 4–9
Lemon Citrus × limon – Evergreen fruit tree producing year-round in warm climates. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Eureka Citrus × limon "Eureka" – The standard commercial lemon. Heavy-cropping evergreen tree producing fruit nearly year-round in warm climates. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Eureka Variegated Pink Citrus × limon "Variegated Pink" – Striking ornamental-and-edible lemon — green-and-cream variegated foliage and pink-fleshed fruit with green-and-yellow striped skin. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Lisbon Citrus × limon "Lisbon" – Thorny vigorous lemon, slightly more cold-tolerant than Eureka. The lemon of choice for hotter and drier inland Australian climates. USDA zones 9–11
Lemon — Meyer Citrus × meyeri – Lemon-mandarin hybrid with a thinner skin and sweeter, less acidic flesh. The most cold-tolerant of the lemons; popular as a backyard tree. USDA zones 8–11
Lemon aspen Acronychia acidula – Tropical Queensland rainforest tree bearing pale, sharply citrus-flavoured fruit used as a bush food. USDA zones 10–12
Lemon drop mangosteen Garcinia intermedia – One of the more adaptable Garcinias, a Central American tree with sweet-tart orange fruit. USDA zones 10–12
Lemon myrtle Backhousia citriodora – Subtropical Queensland native with the highest natural citral content of any plant. Leaves are both culinary (intensely lemon-scented) and medicinal (antimicrobial). USDA zones 9–11
Lemon verbena Aloysia citrodora – South American deciduous shrub with narrow pointed leaves that release an intense pure lemon fragrance when brushed, and clusters of small white-mauve flowers in late summer. Among the most strongly lemon-scented plants in cultivation. USDA zones 8–11
Lentil Lens culinaris – Cool-season pulse crop and one of the oldest cultivated plants — domesticated 9,000+ years ago in the Fertile Crescent. Excellent rotation crop for cereals. USDA zones 3–10
Lilly pilly — Riberry Syzygium luehmannii – Australian native rainforest tree with bright pink new growth and clusters of small tart-sweet pink-red berries — a popular bushfood and excellent screening hedge. USDA zones 9–11
Lime — Makrut (Kaffir) Citrus hystrix – Grown primarily for its fragrant double-lobed leaves, an essential aromatic in Thai, Cambodian, and Indonesian cooking. USDA zones 9–12
Lime — Tahitian (Persian) Citrus × latifolia – The standard commercial lime — large, seedless, juicy, less acidic than the Mexican (Key) lime. USDA zones 9–12
Lime berry Micromelum minutum – Aromatic small tree or shrub from northern Australia with clusters of small orange-red edible berries. USDA zones 10–12
Lingonberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea – Low evergreen ground-cover with small tart red berries — a staple of Scandinavian, Russian, and Baltic cooking. USDA zones 2–6
Loganberry Rubus × loganobaccus – Original Californian raspberry × blackberry cross from 1881. Large dark-red, tart fruit — exceptional for cooking, jams, and country wines. USDA zones 5–9
Loquat Eriobotrya japonica – Evergreen tree with leathery dark leaves, fragrant autumn flowers, and orange fruit ripening in late winter — a rare fruit tree in season at that time. USDA zones 8–11
Lovage Levisticum officinale – Tall perennial herb with strong celery flavour. One of the larger herbs — a single mature plant occupies a square metre. USDA zones 3–8
Lupin — Blue (Narrow-leaf) Lupinus angustifolius – Annual lupin grown widely as a grain crop in Western Australia and as a cool-season cover crop elsewhere. Modern "sweet" cultivars are low-alkaloid and edible. USDA zones 3–9
Lupin — White Lupinus albus – Mediterranean annual lupin grown for centuries as a pulse crop. Seeds are debittered by soaking before being eaten — the basis of Spanish, Italian, and Egyptian street snacks. USDA zones 3–9
Maca Lepidium meyenii – Andean root vegetable from the high Peruvian altiplano (4000+ m). Adaptogenic effects on energy, hormone balance, and fertility. USDA zones 7–9
Macadamia Macadamia integrifolia – Subtropical Australian native rainforest tree producing the familiar macadamia nut. Slow to mature but extremely long-lived. USDA zones 9–11
Maiden pink Dianthus deltoides – Spreading mat-forming European native perennial with masses of small bright magenta-pink flowers above grass-like dark green foliage in early summer. Excellent for rock gardens, dry walls, and as a ground cover. USDA zones 3–9
Mandarin (Clementine) Citrus reticulata – Easy-peeling dessert citrus. Smaller and slightly more cold-hardy than orange, with a wide range of cultivars. USDA zones 8–11
Maqui berry Aristotelia chilensis – Evergreen Patagonian shrub or small tree with glossy dark leaves and clusters of small deep-purple-black berries in late summer. Sacred plant of the Mapuche and a modern "superfruit" exported from Chile. USDA zones 8–10
Marionberry Rubus × "Marion" – Oregon State University cross widely considered the finest-flavoured blackberry. Glossy, juicy, complex flavour balancing sweet and tart. USDA zones 6–9
Mashua Tropaeolum tuberosum – Andean tuberous nasturtium relative with deeply lobed grey-green leaves and bright orange or yellow tubular flowers, climbing 3 m or more. Produces large yellow and red-streaked tubers. USDA zones 7–10
Medlar Mespilus germanica – Small ancient European fruit tree, near-extinct in commerce but still grown by enthusiasts. Picked hard, eaten only after bletting (controlled softening). USDA zones 5–9
Meiwa kumquat Fortunella crassifolia – Compact, hardy citrus with round kumquats eaten whole, skin and all. USDA zones 8–11
Mesquite Prosopis spp. – Drought-adapted southwestern North American shrub or tree. Pods ground into mesquite flour for baking; deep taproot can reach groundwater 50 m+ below the surface. USDA zones 7–11
Mexican tarragon (Winter tarragon) Tagetes lucida – Compact Mexican marigold relative with small bright yellow flowers in autumn and aniseed-scented narrow leaves. Used as a heat-tolerant substitute for true French tarragon in cooking. USDA zones 8–11
Middendorf daylily Hemerocallis middendorffii – Korean and Russian Far Eastern species daylily with rich golden-orange clusters of unspotted flowers held above shorter grassy foliage. Among the hardiest daylilies, flowering reliably in cold-winter gardens. USDA zones 3–8
Midgen berry Austromyrtus dulcis – Compact coastal-heath shrub from eastern Australia with sweet, speckled white-and-purple berries. USDA zones 9–10
Millaa millaa Elaeagnus latifolia – Vigorous scrambling subtropical shrub with tart-sweet red fruit; fixes nitrogen. USDA zones 9–11
Mitsuba Cryptotaenia japonica – Shade-loving East Asian woodland herb (Japanese parsley) with a mild parsley-celery flavour. USDA zones 4–9
Moringa (Drumstick tree) Moringa oleifera – Fast-growing subtropical tree of remarkable nutritional value — leaves are exceptionally rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. Drumstick-like seed pods are a south Indian vegetable. USDA zones 9–12
Moso bamboo Phyllostachys edulis – Giant running bamboo to 20 m, the principal commercial bamboo of China for timber, building material, scaffold poles, fibre, and edible spring shoots. USDA zones 6–11
Mountain soursop Annona montana – Tropical lowland tree with tart, soursop-like fruit used mainly for juice. USDA zones 10–12
Mulberry — Black Morus nigra – Slower-growing, smaller cousin of the white mulberry. Culinary superior — deep purple, intensely flavoured fruit. USDA zones 5–9
Mulberry — White Morus alba – Fast-growing deciduous tree with sweet pale fruit and broad heart-shaped leaves. Sole food plant of the silkworm. USDA zones 4–9
Muntries (Emu apple) Kunzea pomifera – Low spreading South Australian native producing small green-purple berries with a sweet-spicy apple-cinnamon flavour. Forms an excellent edible groundcover. USDA zones 8–10
Myoga ginger Zingiber mioga – A hardier, shade-loving ginger grown for its aromatic edible flower buds and shoots. USDA zones 6–9
Nangapire Eugenia repanda – Obscure South American Eugenia with sweet, cherry-like fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus – Trailing or climbing annual with edible round leaves, peppery flowers, and seeds that can be pickled like capers. USDA zones 2–11
Native Gympie lime Citrus australis – Australian native round lime with juicy, acidic pulp used like a lime. USDA zones 9–11
Native pepperberry Tasmannia insipida – Rainforest pepperberry from eastern Australia with mildly peppery fruit and leaves used as a spice. USDA zones 9–10
Nectarine Prunus persica var. nucipersica – Smooth-skinned variant of peach — same species, sweeter and more aromatic flesh. Slightly more tender than peach. USDA zones 6–9
Nectarine — Arctic Star Prunus persica var. nucipersica "Arctic Star" – White-fleshed low-acid nectarine. Sub-acid sweetness that some find too mild; others rate it the finest backyard nectarine available. USDA zones 6–9
Nectarine — Fantasia Prunus persica var. nucipersica "Fantasia" – Large freestone yellow-fleshed nectarine — the dominant supermarket nectarine globally for many years and still reliable in home orchards. USDA zones 6–9
Noni Morinda citrifolia – Tropical Pacific island tree producing pungent, ripe-cheese-scented fruit. Fermented juice is a traditional Polynesian medicinal across many island cultures. USDA zones 10–12
NSW native ginger Alpinia caerulea – Clumping rainforest-understorey perennial from eastern Australia with edible blue berries and aromatic shoots. USDA zones 9–10
Oats Avena sativa – Cool-season cereal with a useful double life as a cover crop. Winter-killed in cold climates, where the dead biomass becomes natural mulch protecting soil through spring. USDA zones 3–9
Oca Oxalis tuberosa – Andean cool-climate root crop with shamrock-like leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers, producing colourful red, pink, yellow, or orange tubers below ground in autumn. USDA zones 7–10
Olive Olea europaea – Long-lived evergreen tree of Mediterranean origin. Tolerates drought and poor soil. USDA zones 8–11
Olive — Frantoio Olea europaea "Frantoio" – Italian Tuscan oil olive — small fruit, high oil content, intensely peppery green-flavoured oil. The reference variety for premium Italian oils. USDA zones 7–11
Olive — Manzanilla Olea europaea "Manzanilla" – Spanish-origin table olive — the dominant green table olive globally. Crisp flesh, low oil content, ideal for brining. USDA zones 8–11
Olive — Picual Olea europaea "Picual" – Spanish Andalusian oil olive — by some accounts the most widely planted olive cultivar in the world. High yield, robust oil with bitter and pungent notes. USDA zones 7–11
Onion Allium cepa – Biennial allium grown as an annual for storage bulbs. Variety choice depends as much on latitude as on hardiness zone. USDA zones 3–10
Orange — Blood (Moro) Citrus sinensis "Moro" – Mediterranean-origin orange whose flesh develops a deep red to maroon colour during cold winter nights. USDA zones 8–11
Orange — Navel Citrus sinensis "Navel" – Seedless winter-ripening orange — the dominant fresh-eating orange in many warm-temperate regions. USDA zones 9–11
Orange — Valencia Citrus sinensis "Valencia" – Late-season juice orange — the global standard for orange juice. Holds on the tree for months, allowing extended harvest. USDA zones 9–11
Orange — Washington Navel Citrus sinensis "Washington Navel" – Brazilian-origin seedless winter-ripening orange. The dominant fresh-eating navel variety and the parent of most other navel cultivars. USDA zones 9–11
Orange ditch lily Hemerocallis fulva – Vigorous spreading day lily with bright orange flowers in midsummer. Long-naturalised in roadside ditches and old farm sites across temperate North America and Europe — hence the common name. USDA zones 3–9
Ornamental kale (Flowering cabbage) Brassica oleracea var. acephala – Showy ornamental selections of the same species as kale and cabbage, with frilly or feathery rosette leaves in cream, pink, magenta, or purple developing their strongest colour with the first autumn frosts. USDA zones 2–11
Panama berry Muntingia calabura – Very fast-growing tropical tree with tiny, sweet red berries tasting of cotton candy. USDA zones 10–12
Papaya / Pawpaw (Australian) Carica papaya – Fast-growing tropical short-lived tree producing large pendulous fruit. In Australia, "pawpaw" refers to this plant — quite distinct from the North American Asimina triloba. USDA zones 10–12
Parsley Petroselinum crispum – Biennial culinary umbellifer grown for its leaves in the first year. Allow some plants to run to flower in the second year for parasitic wasps and butterfly larvae. USDA zones 4–9
Passionfruit — Purple Passiflora edulis – Vigorous evergreen vine with intricate purple-and-white flowers and aromatic egg-shaped fruit. USDA zones 9–12
Passionfruit — Yellow Passiflora edulis f. flavicarpa – Tropical form of passionfruit — larger, more acidic, and more heat-tolerant than the purple type. The form widely grown in true tropical climates. USDA zones 10–12
Pawpaw — North American Asimina triloba – Cold-hardy understorey tree of the eastern North American forests, producing tropical-flavoured fruit reminiscent of banana, mango, and custard apple. USDA zones 4–8
Pea Pisum sativum – Cool-season legume in shelling, mangetout, and snap forms. One of the earliest spring vegetables; declines in heat. USDA zones 2–9
Peach Prunus persica – Short-lived deciduous fruit tree (15–20 years) with showy pink spring blossom and fuzzy summer fruit. Fastest-fruiting of the major orchard trees from planting. USDA zones 5–9
Peach — Anzac Prunus persica "Anzac" – Australian heritage peach — large, white-fleshed, intensely fragrant. The standard backyard peach across mainland southeastern Australia for decades. USDA zones 7–10
Peach — Contender Prunus persica "Contender" – Cold-hardy peach from North Carolina with notably late blossom — significantly reducing crop loss to spring frost. USDA zones 4–8
Peach — Flordaprince Prunus persica "Flordaprince" – Florida-bred ultra-low-chill peach — fruits reliably in subtropical climates where conventional peaches need too much winter cold. USDA zones 8–11
Peach — Reliance Prunus persica "Reliance" – Most cold-hardy peach cultivar in commercial cultivation. Bred in New Hampshire specifically for short-season cold climates. USDA zones 4–8
Pear — Beurre Bosc Pyrus communis "Beurre Bosc" – Late-season russeted pear with dense buttery flesh, well suited to cooking and baking as well as fresh use. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Beurré Hardy Pyrus communis "Beurré Hardy" – French heritage pear notable for cold-climate hardiness. Large rosy-russeted fruit with slight rosewater character. USDA zones 4–8
Pear — Concorde Pyrus communis "Concorde" – UK-bred Conference × Doyenné du Comice cross combining the reliability of Conference with the eating quality of Comice. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Conference Pyrus communis "Conference" – The benchmark UK garden pear — long, slim, russet-skinned fruit with sweet juicy flesh. Reliable in cooler maritime climates. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Doyenné du Comice Pyrus communis "Doyenné du Comice" – French heritage dessert pear regarded as the flavour benchmark for European pears. Demanding but exceptional. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — European Pyrus communis – Long-lived deciduous fruit tree of European origin. Most varieties need cross-pollination and a long, cool autumn to ripen well. USDA zones 4–9
Pear — Josephine de Malines Pyrus communis "Josephine de Malines" – Late-season Belgian heritage pear — small, pink-fleshed, intensely aromatic when ripened off the tree in winter. USDA zones 5–8
Pear — Packham's Triumph Pyrus communis "Packham's Triumph" – Australian-bred green pear, the dominant commercial variety in the Southern Hemisphere. USDA zones 6–9
Pear — Williams Bon Chrétien (Bartlett) Pyrus communis "Williams Bon Chrétien" – The classic dual-purpose pear — eaten fresh, canned, or distilled into Poire Williams brandy. USDA zones 5–8
Pecan Carya illinoinensis – Large North American native nut tree of the hickory family. Eventually a 25+ m specimen — far too big for small gardens. USDA zones 5–9
Pepino (Melon pear) Solanum muricatum – Sprawling Andean perennial shrub producing pale-skinned, purple-streaked fruit with mild, melon-like flavour. USDA zones 8–11
Perennial basil Ocimum gratissimum – Shrubby, clove-scented perennial basil that is more robust and longer-lived than annual basil. USDA zones 10–11
Perinha Eugenia pyriformis – Subtropical Brazilian tree (a uvaia relative) with aromatic, pear-shaped orange fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Persimmon — American Diospyros virginiana – North American native, far more cold hardy than Asian persimmon but with smaller, more astringent fruit. USDA zones 4–9
Persimmon — Asian Diospyros kaki – Small deciduous tree with dramatic orange autumn fruit that hangs after leaf-fall. Stunning seasonal display in cool subtropical climates. USDA zones 7–10
Pigeon pea Cajanus cajan – Short-lived shrubby legume — perennial in subtropical climates, grown as an annual elsewhere. Seeds are the basis of Indian dal; deep taproot breaks compacted soil. USDA zones 3–12
Pine nut — Stone Pine Pinus pinea – Iconic umbrella-canopied Mediterranean pine producing edible seeds. Drought-tolerant and long-lived; trees take decades to begin coning. USDA zones 7–11
Pink-lime berry Glycosmis trifoliata – Coastal subtropical shrub from northern Australia with small, sweet, translucent pink berries. USDA zones 10–11
Pistachio Pistacia vera – Long-lived Mediterranean / Central Asian nut tree with extreme tolerance for drought, salt, and heat — and an absolute requirement for cold winters. USDA zones 7–11
Pitangatuba Eugenia selloi – Compact Brazilian shrub with ribbed yellow fruit and a tangy, sherbet-like flavour. USDA zones 10–11
Pitanguinha Eugenia mattosii – Obscure Brazilian Eugenia with small, ribbed, pitanga-like fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Plantain — Broadleaf Plantago major – Broad-leaved weed of compacted ground worldwide. Traditional poultice for wounds, stings, and minor burns; young leaves edible. USDA zones 2–10
Plum — Czar Prunus domestica "Czar" – Cold-hardy UK culinary plum. Dark blue-purple fruit, primarily for cooking and preserving rather than fresh eating. USDA zones 4–8
Plum — Damson Prunus insititia – Small, tart, dusky-blue plums almost exclusively used for cooking and preserving. Hardy, tough, and reliable. USDA zones 4–8
Plum — European Prunus domestica – Includes greengages, prunes, and dual-purpose plums. Generally hardier and later-flowering than Japanese types. USDA zones 4–9
Plum — Greengage (Reine Claude) Prunus domestica "Reine Claude Verte" – French heritage plum widely regarded as the finest-flavoured plum cultivated. Small, round, golden-green fruit with intensely sweet honey flavour. USDA zones 5–8
Plum — Japanese Prunus salicina – Large, juicy dessert plums with red, purple, or yellow skin. Lower chill requirement than European plums; more suited to warm climates. USDA zones 5–10
Plum — Mariposa Prunus salicina "Mariposa" – Japanese-type "blood plum" with deep red flesh and crimson skin. Sweet, rich, low chill — popular across southern Australia and California. USDA zones 6–9
Plum — Mirabelle de Nancy Prunus domestica subsp. syriaca "Mirabelle de Nancy" – Small golden plum from Lorraine, France. Almost exclusively used for jam, tart fillings, and the eau de vie that bears its name. USDA zones 4–8
Plum — Santa Rosa Prunus salicina "Santa Rosa" – Japanese-type plum bred by Luther Burbank in California. Crimson skin, amber flesh blushed pink at the stone — a benchmark dessert plum. USDA zones 5–9
Plum — Victoria Prunus domestica "Victoria" – The most widely grown plum in the UK. Reddish-purple dual-purpose fruit — equally good for fresh eating, cooking, and preserving. USDA zones 5–8
Pomegranate Punica granatum – Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub or small tree with brilliant orange-red flowers and leathery-skinned fruit packed with jewelled arils. USDA zones 7–12
Pomelo Citrus maxima – The largest of all citrus — basketball-sized fruit with thick pith and segments eaten fresh or in salads. Ancestor of grapefruit. USDA zones 9–12
Potato — Coliban (early) Solanum tuberosum "Coliban" – Early-season white-fleshed Australian-bred potato. The dominant fresh-market potato in much of Australia for decades. USDA zones 3–10
Potato — Desiree (late) Solanum tuberosum "Desiree" – Late-season Dutch-bred red-skinned potato with creamy yellow flesh. Popular across Europe and southern Australia. USDA zones 3–9
Potato — Kipfler (mid) Solanum tuberosum "Kipfler" – Mid-season fingerling — long, slim, yellow-fleshed waxy potato. A staple in Australian markets and home gardens. USDA zones 3–10
Privet stopper Eugenia ligustrina – Fine-leaved Caribbean shrub with small, dark, edible berries. USDA zones 9–11
Pumpkin Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin Group) – Sprawling annual vine with large edible fruit. Needs a long warm growing season. USDA zones 3–10
Pumpkin / Winter squash Cucurbita maxima – Large-fruited storage squash. Long warm season (90–120 days) needed to mature fruit fully — frost-tender at both ends of the cycle. USDA zones 2–11
Purple raspberry Rubus neglectus – A hardy natural hybrid of red and black raspberry with sweet, dusky purple fruit. USDA zones 4–8
Quandong Santalum acuminatum – Australian semi-arid native producing tart bright-red fruit with a single hard stone. A classic bushfood; pies, jams, and dried fruit. USDA zones 8–11
Quince Cydonia oblonga – Small deciduous tree with woolly golden fruit. Inedible raw; transforms into pink, intensely fragrant preserves and quince paste. USDA zones 5–9
Raspberry — Autumn-fruiting (Primocane) Rubus idaeus – Cane fruit producing on the current year's growth — fruits late summer to autumn. USDA zones 3–9
Raspberry — Summer-fruiting (Floricane) Rubus idaeus – Cane fruit producing a single heavy crop in early to midsummer on the previous year's growth. USDA zones 3–9
Red berry saltbush Einadia hastata – Scrambling hardy Australian subshrub with small, sweet, edible red berries. USDA zones 8–10
Red kiwiberry (female) Actinidia purpurea – A hardy kiwi vine with smooth-skinned, grape-sized fruit and red-tinged flesh. USDA zones 5–9
Red-stem celery Apium graveolens – Red-stemmed celery grown for crisp, flavourful stalks and aromatic leaves. USDA zones 5–9
Redcurrant Ribes rubrum – Small deciduous shrub producing translucent ruby strigs of tart fruit on the previous year's wood. USDA zones 3–8
Reedmace (Greater bulrush) Typha latifolia – Tall emergent aquatic with long strap leaves and the unmistakable brown cigar-shaped seed heads. A keystone plant of freshwater wetlands. USDA zones 2–9
Rhubarb Rheum × hybridum – Long-lived perennial grown for tart pink to red leaf stalks. Needs a true cold dormancy to crop reliably. USDA zones 3–8
Rollinia Annona mucosa – Tropical American tree with sweet, creamy fruit often likened to lemon meringue. USDA zones 10–12
Rose campion Lychnis coronaria – Mediterranean cottage-garden perennial with silvery-grey woolly leaves and tall stems of vivid magenta single flowers through summer. Striking colour against silver foliage. USDA zones 4–8
Rose geranium (Sweet-scented pelargonium) Pelargonium graveolens – South African shrubby pelargonium with deeply cut grey-green leaves that release a strong rose fragrance when brushed. The principal commercial source of geranium essential oil. USDA zones 9–11
Roselle (Jamaica sorrel) Hibiscus sabdariffa – West African hibiscus relative grown as an annual or short-lived shrub, with pale yellow hibiscus flowers and — the principal feature — fleshy bright red sepals (calyces) that swell and persist after the flowers drop. USDA zones 9–11
Round-leaved pigface Disphyma crassifolium – Low coastal succulent groundcover from southern Australia with daisy-like flowers and fleshy leaves. USDA zones 9–10
Roundleaf serviceberry Amelanchier rotundifolia – Hardy European serviceberry (snowy mespilus) with sweet, blueberry-like pomes. USDA zones 4–8
Ruby saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa – Hardy arid-zone Australian subshrub with succulent foliage and small juicy red-to-yellow berries. USDA zones 8–10
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus – Climbing bean with bright red (or white) flowers and long flat pods. A British staple of cottage and allotment gardens. USDA zones 3–11
Sacred lotus Nelumbo nucifera – Aquatic perennial of Asian and Australian wetlands with spectacular blue-green peltate leaves and pink or white cup-shaped flowers held high above the water. Edible rhizomes and seeds, and fine silk-like fibre from the leaf stalks. USDA zones 4–11
Safflower Carthamus tinctorius – Thistle-like annual with spiny leaves and golden-orange flower heads. One of the oldest cultivated crops, grown for both red and yellow dye (from the flowers) and for safflower seed oil. USDA zones 4–11
Saffron crocus Crocus sativus – Autumn-flowering corm whose dried red stigmas are the spice saffron. USDA zones 6–9
Salad burnet Sanguisorba minor – Tufted British native perennial of chalk and limestone grassland, with ferny-pinnate leaves and small round purple-red flower heads on wiry stems. Classic edging plant and traditional salad herb. USDA zones 4–9
Sandpaper fig Ficus coronata – Small riparian fig from eastern Australia bearing edible purple figs; leaves are rough like sandpaper. USDA zones 9–10
Sapodilla Manilkara zapota – Tropical tree with sweet, brown-sugar-flavoured fruit and a soft, grainy texture. USDA zones 10–12
Saskatoon serviceberry Amelanchier alnifolia – Extremely cold-hardy North American shrub with sweet, blueberry-like pomes (saskatoon berries). USDA zones 2–7
Savory of Crete Satureja thymbra – Pungent, thyme-scented Mediterranean subshrub used as a culinary herb and a major bee plant. USDA zones 8–10
Schisandra Schisandra chinensis – Hardy deciduous climbing vine producing red berries known in Chinese as "wu wei zi" — five-flavour fruit. Adaptogenic and liver-protective. USDA zones 3–8
Scorzonera (Black salsify) Scorzonera hispanica – Heritage perennial root vegetable with black-skinned, white-fleshed roots resembling slim parsnips. Once a winter staple, now near-extinct in cultivation. USDA zones 3–10
Sea berry saltbush Rhagodia baccata – Dense coastal saltbush from southern and western Australia with small edible red berries. USDA zones 9–10
Sea buckthorn Hippophae rhamnoides – Thorny silver-leaved shrub bearing dense clusters of tart bright-orange berries. Berries have exceptional vitamin C and E content; growing commercial bushfood interest. USDA zones 3–8
Sea kale Crambe maritima – Coastal perennial brassica with glaucous wavy leaves. Forced shoots were a Victorian luxury and remain a fine, almost-forgotten vegetable. USDA zones 4–9
Shagbark hickory Carya ovata – Distinctive eastern North American native tree with characteristic peeling shaggy plate bark and brittle hard timber prized for tool handles, drumsticks, and smoking wood. Edible sweet nuts and excellent autumn colour. USDA zones 4–8
Shallot Allium cepa Aggregatum group – Multiplying onion that splits into a cluster of bulbs from a single planted set. Milder, more refined flavour than onion. USDA zones 3–10
Siberian pea shrub Caragana arborescens – Extremely cold-hardy Mongolian and Siberian shrub. One of the toughest nitrogen-fixers for prairie shelterbelts; edible seeds and yellow pea-flowers. USDA zones 2–7
Skirret Sium sisarum – Heritage perennial root vegetable producing a cluster of slender sweet white roots. Once a major European winter vegetable, now nearly extinct in seed catalogues. USDA zones 4–9
Sloe (Blackthorn) Prunus spinosa – Suckering thorny shrub of European hedgerows. White flowers smother the bare branches before leaves emerge — a reliable late-winter signal. USDA zones 4–8
Society garlic Tulbaghia violacea – South African clump-forming perennial with grass-like grey-green leaves and tall stems of lilac star-shaped flower umbels through summer and autumn. Edible mild-garlic-flavoured leaves and flowers without the breath consequences of true garlic. USDA zones 7–11
Sorrel — French Rumex scutatus – Compact perennial herb with sharp lemony leaves. One of the first edible greens to reappear in spring. USDA zones 3–9
Spanish lavender (French lavender) Lavandula stoechas – Compact Mediterranean lavender with stubby flower heads topped by showy purple bracts like rabbit ears. Earlier flowering, more compact, and more architectural than English lavender, but less hardy. USDA zones 7–10
Spicebush Lindera benzoin – Eastern North American understorey shrub with intensely aromatic bark, leaves, and red berries. Traditional culinary spice and medicinal substitute for tropical spices in colonial kitchens. USDA zones 4–9
Star fruit Averrhoa carambola – Tropical and subtropical tree with crisp, juicy, ribbed yellow fruit that is star-shaped in cross-section. USDA zones 9–11
Stinging nettle Urtica dioica – Fierce-looking perennial with stinging hairs that hide one of the most nutritious wild greens. Young shoots cook into a spinach-like vegetable; mature plant is anti-inflammatory. USDA zones 2–9
Strawberry Fragaria × ananassa – Low-growing perennial fruit. Spreads by runners. USDA zones 3–10
Strawberry — Alpine Fragaria vesca – Tiny woodland-edge perennial producing intensely flavoured berries through spring and summer. Tolerates partial shade; self-seeds gently. USDA zones 3–10
Strawberry — Cambridge Favourite Fragaria × ananassa "Cambridge Favourite" – UK heritage mid-season strawberry, dominant for decades in British home gardens and pick-your-own farms. Consistent flavour and crop. USDA zones 4–9
Strawberry — Elsanta Fragaria × ananassa "Elsanta" – Dutch-bred strawberry — the dominant supermarket variety in much of Europe. Flavour moderate, but reliable shape, size, and shipping qualities. USDA zones 4–9
Strawberry guava Psidium cattleianum – Compact Brazilian guava with small red (or yellow), sweet-tart fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Strawberry gum Eucalyptus olida – Northern Tablelands eucalypt whose leaves carry a strong strawberry-and-berry aroma used as a bush-food flavouring. USDA zones 8–10
Sunflower Helianthus annuus – Tall annual with massive single yellow flower heads tracking the sun. The seeds feed bees, songbirds and humans alike. USDA zones 2–11
Sunrise lime Citrus australasica × Citrus japonica – Compact Australian-bred citrus producing small teardrop fruit filled with tangy juice vesicles. USDA zones 9–11
Surinam cherry Eugenia uniflora – Subtropical shrub or small tree with ribbed red-to-dark fruit; also known as Brazilian or pitanga cherry. USDA zones 9–11
Sweet cicely Myrrhis odorata – Tall ferny-leaved European umbellifer with broad flat heads of white spring flowers and aniseed-scented leaves. A traditional cottage-garden ornamental and a kitchen-garden sweetener. USDA zones 5–7
Sweet corn Zea mays (var. saccharata) – Tall annual grass producing edible immature ears. Wind-pollinated — plant in blocks, not rows, for proper pollination. USDA zones 2–11
Sweet marjoram Origanum majorana – Sweet, mild Mediterranean culinary herb, more floral and gentle than oregano. USDA zones 7–10
Sweet violet Viola odorata – Low-growing ground cover with intensely fragrant deep-purple flowers in earliest spring. Flowers and leaves edible and medicinal. USDA zones 3–8
Sweetpotato Ipomoea batatas – Perennial tropical vine grown for swollen storage roots. Treated as an annual everywhere outside true subtropics. USDA zones 8–12
Taiwan raspberry Rubus formosensis – Subtropical Asian raspberry with red-orange fruit on vigorous, scrambling canes. USDA zones 9–11
Tamarillo (Tree tomato) Solanum betaceum – Fast-growing short-lived (8–10 year) Andean tree producing egg-shaped tart-sweet fruit. Backyard staple in New Zealand. USDA zones 9–11
Tanner’s sumac (Sicilian sumac) Rhus coriaria – Mediterranean shrub with pinnate leaves and dense panicles of small dull-red fruits, dried and ground to produce the lemon-tart sumac spice of Levantine cuisine. Leaves are the source of one of the highest tannin contents of any plant. USDA zones 8–10
Tasmanian pepperberry Tasmannia lanceolata – Cool-climate shrub from highland south-eastern Australia with pungent, peppery berries and leaves. USDA zones 7–9
Tayberry Rubus × "Tayberry" – Scottish-bred blackberry × raspberry cross with large, deep purple, intensely flavoured fruit. Sweeter than loganberry, larger than either parent. USDA zones 5–9
Tazziberry Ugni molinae – Compact, hardy Chilean guava shrub with small, intensely aromatic red berries. USDA zones 8–10
Tea plant Camellia sinensis – Evergreen East Asian shrub with leathery dark green leaves, small fragrant white flowers, and the leaves that produce all tea — green, oolong, black, and white. Spent leaves yield brown and tan textile dyes. USDA zones 7–10
Tomato Solanum lycopersicum – Tender warm-season annual fruit. Wide variety of sizes and colours. USDA zones 2–11
Tomato — Black Cherry (heirloom) Solanum lycopersicum "Black Cherry" – Mahogany-purple heirloom cherry tomato with rich, almost smoky flavour — among the deepest-flavoured cherry types. USDA zones 2–11
Tomato — Brandywine (heirloom) Solanum lycopersicum "Brandywine" – Iconic large pink heirloom beefsteak from Pennsylvania. Reference flavour for many tomato lovers. USDA zones 2–10
Tomato — Mortgage Lifter (heirloom) Solanum lycopersicum "Mortgage Lifter" – West Virginia heirloom beefsteak named for the family-farm depression-era story. Large pink-red fruit, low acidity, mild and sweet. USDA zones 2–10
Tomato — Sweet 100 (cherry) Solanum lycopersicum "Sweet 100" – Modern indeterminate cherry tomato bred for very high yield and sustained sweetness through the season. USDA zones 2–11
Tomato — Tigerella (heirloom) Solanum lycopersicum "Tigerella" – UK-bred striped salad tomato. Compact, early, and reliable — well suited to short cool summers including British and northern European gardens. USDA zones 2–10
Tomato — Tommy Toe (Australian heirloom) Solanum lycopersicum "Tommy Toe" – Australian heirloom cherry-to-cocktail-sized tomato. Notably tolerant of heat and humidity, where many heirlooms struggle. USDA zones 2–11
Trailing pigface (Hottentot fig) Carpobrotus edulis – Mat-forming South African coastal succulent with thick triangular fleshy leaves and large yellow or pink daisy-like flowers, followed by edible fig-like fruits. USDA zones 9–11
Tuberous begonia Begonia × tuberhybrida – Tender summer-flowering tuberous begonia with large camellia-like double flowers in red, pink, yellow, orange, or white. The standard hanging-basket and shade-bedding plant of summer in mild climates. USDA zones 9–11
Turmeric Curcuma longa – Rhizomatous perennial of the ginger family. The bright orange rhizomes carry curcumin — one of the most studied anti-inflammatory plant compounds. USDA zones 8–12
Ulluco Ullucus tuberosus – Andean cool-climate root crop with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers, producing small smooth waxy tubers in pink, yellow, red, or purple. One of the three Andean root crops (alongside oca and mashua). USDA zones 7–10
Wallflower Erysimum cheiri – Short-lived perennial Mediterranean shrublet, traditionally grown as a biennial, with intensely fragrant clusters of yellow, orange, red, or mahogany flowers in mid-spring. A cornerstone cottage-garden bedding plant. USDA zones 6–10
Walnut — Black Juglans nigra – North American native walnut with intensely flavoured nut and exceptionally valued cabinet timber. Larger and more allelopathic than English walnut. USDA zones 4–9
Walnut — English / Persian Juglans regia – Large long-lived deciduous tree producing the familiar table walnut. Slow to mature — fruiting trees take 5–10 years from planting. USDA zones 4–9
Wampee Clausena lansium – Subtropical Asian relative of citrus bearing clusters of grape-sized, sweet-tart fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Warrigal greens Tetragonia tetragonioides – Sprawling coastal leafy green from Australia and New Zealand, used like spinach. USDA zones 8–10
Watermelon Citrullus lanatus – Large vining annual demanding sustained summer heat to ripen sweetly. Hardiness zone alone misleads — heat-unit accumulation is the real constraint. USDA zones 3–11
Welsh onion (Bunching onion) Allium fistulosum – Perennial bunching onion that doesn't form a bulb. Provides a year-round supply of green onion-flavoured leaves. USDA zones 3–10
White dead nettle Lamium album – Spreading perennial with nettle-shaped leaves but no sting, bearing whorls of hooded white flowers from earliest spring well into autumn. USDA zones 3–8
Whitecurrant Ribes rubrum (white-fruited) – Mild-flavoured albino form of redcurrant. Produces translucent ivory strigs of berries; less acidic than redcurrant, exceptional for clear jellies. USDA zones 3–8
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens – Low evergreen North American groundcover for cool, moist, acidic shade, with red wintergreen-flavoured berries. USDA zones 3–7
Yacón Smallanthus sonchifolius – Andean sunflower relative producing large clusters of crisp sweet brown-skinned tubers below ground. The tubers store carbohydrate as inulin (a low-GI fibre) rather than starch, giving an apple-like sweet crunch. USDA zones 7–11
Yellow jaboticaba Myrciaria glazioviana – Compact Brazilian relative of jaboticaba with fuzzy, tart-sweet yellow-orange fruit. USDA zones 9–11
Yellow mangosteen Garcinia xanthochymus – Ornamental tropical Asian tree with weeping new growth and bright yellow, very acidic fruit. USDA zones 10–12
Yerba mate Ilex paraguariensis – South American holly relative reaching 8–10 m, with leathery dark green leaves that are dried and brewed as the national beverage of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. USDA zones 9–11
Yuzu Citrus junos – The most cold-hardy citrus of culinary significance — a Japanese mandarin × Ichang papeda hybrid with intensely fragrant zest used in ponzu and Japanese cuisine. USDA zones 7–10

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