While some fruit crops require cross-pollination in order to produce a harvest, others are self-fruitful and don’t need the pollen of other plants during reproduction. Self-pollinating fruit trees are best for indoor container plants because you just need one so as to reap the benefits of a harvest. As long as they get at least six hours of sun every day, have good ventilation and get a yearly pruning to maintain an amenable size, they’ll thrive inside.
Peaches and Nectarines
You can grow juicy, sweet peaches and nectarines from indoor trees. All these self-fruitful stone fruit bloom in the spring and grow during the summer. You can select the fruit in the fall before the plant goes dormant again for the winter. Genetic dwarf peaches and nectarines generally grow to approximately 6 to 8 feet tall. Honey Babe and Pix-Zee are genetic dwarf peaches perfect for inside. Bonanza is another true genetic dwarf but smaller. It grows to approximately 5 to 6 feet tall and also blooms earlier than many varieties of peaches. Genetic dwarf nectarines include Nectarina and Nectar-Zee.
Citrus
You have plenty of options when it comes to choosing citrus plants to grow inside. Most citrus, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes and kumquats, are self-pollinating and possess dwarf varieties. Like their full-sized relatives, they create fragrant blossoms and edible fruit. Varieties of strawberries good for inside include dwarf Valencias and Mandarins. Apart from citrus plants to pick from include Meyer lemons, Kaffir limes, redblush grapefruit and dwarf Bearrs limes.
Figs
Even though figs can grow into big, spreading trees out, if pruned properly, some varieties can be kept under 8 feet tall inside. The trees have distinct bright green hairy leaves and make fruit for dried snacks, preserves and cooked dishes. You can also store dried figs for several months. The Black Jack semi dwarf fig is receptive to indoor environments.
Persimmon and Loquats
Persimmons and apricots are also self-pollinating fruit that taste good from the tree or in recipes. Once established, persimmon trees require little maintenance and will grow in an assortment of soil surroundings. Self-fruiting persimmons are seedless. Loquats produce fragrant white blossoms followed by petite, round orange and yellow fruit with white orange flesh. Advance is a genetic dwarf loquat and grows to 5 feet tall.