24 Edible Perennials to Plant Once and Harvest Forever
Imagine a garden that keeps your kitchen stocked with fresh produce year after year without the need for replanting. With the right selection of edible perennials, you can create a vibrant, self-replenishing garden that provides delicious fruits, vegetables, and herbs season after season. These hardy plants not only reduce your workload but also enhance your garden’s sustainability, making it a lush source of food and self-sufficiency.
From juicy berries to flavorful herbs, this guide will introduce you to perennial favorites that promise to enrich your meals and your gardening experience.
Egyptian Walking Onions
Would you like to save this page?
We'll email you a link to this post, so you can come back to it later!
Egyptian Walking Onions are a unique perennial that produces clusters of bulbs at the top of their stalks, which eventually bend to the ground and root, “walking” across the garden. These onions are hardy and require minimal maintenance once established. They thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Their bulbs are smaller than common onions but are perfect for pickling or using fresh salads. Their greens can also be used similarly to scallions.
Honeyberry (Haskap)
Honeyberry, a lesser-known fruit also called a haskap, resembles a long blueberry and thrives in similar conditions. However, it is more tolerant of cold and has a slightly earlier ripening season. Honeyberries have a tangy, sweet flavor and are excellent for fresh eating or making preserves. They benefit from being planted in pairs or groups to ensure good pollination.
Globe Artichokes
Globe Artichokes are known for their large, edible flower buds, which are harvested before the flowers bloom. This perennial thrives in warmer climates but can be grown as an annual in colder areas. They need full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Artichokes are a staple in Mediterranean cuisine, often steamed or boiled and served with a dipping sauce.
Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a hardy perennial that grows well in cooler climates. It requires well-drained soil and a sunny location. Only the stalks are edible, and their tart flavor is perfect for pies and jams. Rhubarb should be harvested when the stalks are 12 to 18 inches long and is usually ready to pick by the second year of growth.
Perennial Herbs
Perennial herbs are an excellent choice for gardeners and homesteaders aiming for self-sufficiency because they can grow back year after year. These herbs provide a steady supply of cooking flavors, offer medicinal properties, and add beauty to the garden with their flowers.
Not all herbs are perennial, and some struggle in colder climates; examples include thyme, rosemary, oregano, mint, tarragon, chives, and more.
Related: 12 Culinary Herbs to Grow For Passionate Home Cooks
Grapes
Grapes can be grown in a variety of climates but need a sunny location and sturdy support, as the vines can become quite heavy. Soil should be well-drained and moderately fertile. Grapes are perfect for making wine, juices, jams, jellies, dried as raisins, or eating fresh. Pruning is vital to control growth and improve fruit quality.
Asparagus
Asparagus is a perennial favorite that, once established, can produce for 20 years or more. It prefers sandy, well-drained soil and full sun. Harvesting begins in the third year after planting, as it takes time for the plants to establish a strong root system. Asparagus is famed for its role in dishes ranging from salads to soups, and it’s highly valued for its delicate, slightly sweet flavor.
Related: How To Grow Asparagus From Crowns (Complete Guide)
Strawberries
Strawberries are a beloved perennial that produce fruits quickly, often within the first year of planting, though it is best to pinch first-year flowers in favor of stronger root development. They need full sun and rich, loamy soil. Strawberries are versatile in the kitchen, perfect for desserts, jams, or fresh eating. Regular watering and mulching help maintain their productivity.
Related: 16 Key Tips For Growing Boatloads of Juicy Strawberries
Blueberries
Blueberries thrive on acidic, well-drained soil and at least a full day of sunlight. They are known for their health benefits and are a popular addition to cereals, desserts, and smoothies. Proper pruning and fertilization are key to longevity and fruit production.
Related: 11 Tips To Growing Buckets of Blueberries All Season Long
Currants
Currants are compact shrubs that are ideal for colder climates. They produce small, tart berries great for jams, jellies, and baking. Currants prefer a location with full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. They are relatively easy to grow and can produce fruit for 10-15 years.
Hardy Kiwi
There are countless varieties of kiwi — including those that thrive in colder, Northern climates. The vines can be trained along a trellis or pagoda and offer beauty and privacy along with edible fruits.
Goji Berry
Goji Berries, once established, can tolerate drought and thrive in well-drained soil with full sun. These berries are noted for their health benefits and can be used fresh, dried, or in juices. Goji berries start producing fruit by the second year and can continue to produce for many years with minimal maintenance.
Horseradish
Horseradish is grown primarily for its pungent roots, harvested and used as a spicy condiment. This hardy perennial prefers full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Horseradish needs well-drained soil and can be harvested annually; the flavor is best in the spring.
Raspberries
Raspberries need full sun and well-drained soil. They produce best when old canes are pruned annually. Raspberries can be used in a wide array of recipes, from desserts to jams. They begin producing fruit a year after planting and can yield fruit for many years with proper care, making them an excellent choice for long-term cultivation in a home garden.
Related: 15 Tips Every Gardener Needs for Perfect Raspberries Every Time
Blackberries
Like raspberries, blackberries are vigorous growers requiring full sun and rich, well-drained soil. They tend to spread quickly and need space to thrive. Blackberries are versatile in the kitchen, suitable for sweet and savory dishes. They can produce fruit for 15 to 20 years with careful pruning and maintenance.
Apples
Apple trees are a staple in many temperate gardens, known for their prolific fruit production and the variety of available cultivars. They require full sun and well-drained soil. Apple trees need cross-pollination for fruit set, so planting several varieties can help increase yields. Apples can be used fresh, in baking, for cider, or preserved. Depending on the variety, apple trees can begin to bear fruit in 3 to 5 years after planting and can continue producing for decades.
Related: The BEST Mulch For Fruit Trees {And What NOT To Do}
Jerusalem Artichoke
Also known as sunchoke, Jerusalem Artichoke is a tuberous perennial that thrives in almost any soil condition and prefers full sun. The tubers are harvested and eaten like potatoes, known for their nutty flavor. They are excellent roasted, boiled, or in soups. Jerusalem artichokes can be somewhat invasive, so they need to be managed carefully to prevent them from overtaking garden spaces.
Peaches
Peach trees need well-drained soil and a sunny location to flourish. They are susceptible to frost damage, so spring planting is recommended in areas with harsh winters. Peaches are delicious fresh, canned, or baked into desserts. Trees typically start producing fruit three to four years after planting and can continue for about 12 to 15 years.
Plums
Plum trees are adaptable to a variety of soil types, though they prefer well-drained, fertile soil. They require full sun and moderate water. Plums are great for fresh eating, jams, and baking. Some varieties need cross-pollination, so having more than one tree can be beneficial. Plums start bearing fruit in 4 to 6 years and can produce for 10 to 15 years.
Related: 9 Fruit Trees You Can Grow In Pots
Pears
Pear trees are known for their longevity and can produce fruit for decades. They require well-drained soil and full sun but are less prone to diseases compared to other fruit trees. Pears are versatile in cooking and can be eaten fresh, canned, or used in desserts. Most pear varieties need cross-pollination, so planting more than one type is advisable.
Hazelnuts
Hazelnut bushes require full sun and well-drained soil. They are relatively easy to grow and can produce nuts in 4 to 6 years. Hazelnuts are excellent for baking, snacks, or ground into flour. Proper pruning and care can ensure productivity for many years, sometimes exceeding 15 years.
Almonds
Almond trees thrive in hot and dry climates and require deep, well-drained soil. They blossom early in the spring and are vulnerable to late frosts. Almonds are harvested for their nuts, which are used in a variety of culinary applications, including baking and as snacks. Trees begin to produce nuts three to four years after planting and can continue to be productive for up to 25 years.
Cherries
Cherry trees prefer well-drained, fertile soil and a full sun location. They are available in sweet and tart varieties, with the latter often used for pies and jams. Cherry trees can bear fruit in just a few years after planting and, with proper care, continue producing for 15 to 20 years.
Sumac
Sumac is an unusual perennial known for its vibrant fall colors and tangy, citrus-like fruits, which are dried and ground into a spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. Sumac thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-resistant once established and can spread to form dense thickets if not managed. The plants start producing fruit in 2 to 3 years and can continue for many years, offering both culinary and ornamental value.
Vegetables That Can Tolerate Shade
Learn More: 32 Vegetables You Can Grow in Partial Shade
Fruits & Vegetables That Can Be Grown Vertically
Not just beneficial for small spaces.
Learn More: 20 Veggies & Fruits You Should Grow Vertically
