50 Best Plants for Edible Landscaping

Fruit Trees

1. Apple Tree

• Benefits: Provides fresh fruit, beautiful spring blossoms.
• Description: Apples come in various varieties, offering different flavors and uses.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 4-8
• Tips: Ensure proper pruning and pest management for a healthy yield.

2. Peach Tree

• Benefits: Sweet, juicy fruits, ornamental value.
• Description: Produces delicious peaches and attractive spring flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 5-9
• Tips: Requires thinning of fruits for better quality.

3. Fig Tree

• Benefits: Nutritious fruits, drought-tolerant.
• Description: Figs are versatile and can be eaten fresh or dried.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 8-10
• Tips: Plant in full sun and protect from cold winds.

Berry Bushes

4. Blueberry Bush

• Benefits: High in antioxidants, attractive foliage.
• Description: Blueberries are delicious and packed with nutrients.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 3-10
• Tips: Requires acidic soil and full sun for optimal growth.

5. Raspberry Bush

• Benefits: Abundant fruit production, easy to harvest.
• Description: Raspberries are flavorful and can be red, black, or golden.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-8
• Tips: Regular pruning encourages healthy growth and fruiting.

Vegetables

6. Tomato Plant

• Benefits: Versatile in cooking, high in vitamins.
• Description: Tomatoes come in many varieties, from small cherry to large beefsteak.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-11
• Tips: Support with cages or stakes and water consistently.

7. Pepper Plant

• Benefits: Adds spice and flavor, rich in vitamin C.
• Description: Peppers range from sweet bell to hot chili varieties.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-10
• Tips: Grow in warm, sunny spots and provide adequate water.

Herbs

8. Basil

• Benefits: Enhances culinary dishes, aromatic.
• Description: Basil is a fragrant herb used in many cuisines.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 2-11
• Tips: Pinch off flowers to encourage leafy growth.

9. Rosemary

• Benefits: Culinary uses, drought-tolerant.
• Description: Evergreen herb with needle-like leaves and a robust flavor.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 8-10
• Tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

Nut Trees

10. Almond Tree

• Benefits: Nutritious nuts, attractive blossoms.
• Description: Almonds are edible nuts with a sweet taste.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 7-9
• Tips: Needs hot, dry summers and well-drained soil.

11. Pecan Tree

• Benefits: Provides tasty nuts, shade tree.
• Description: Pecans are rich in healthy fats and proteins.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 6-9
• Tips: Requires a long growing season and deep soil.

Perennials

12. Asparagus

• Benefits: Long-lived perennial, nutritious.
• Description: Asparagus spears are tender and flavorful.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 3-8
• Tips: Allow plants to establish before harvesting.

13. Rhubarb

• Benefits: Tangy stalks, ornamental leaves.
• Description: Rhubarb is often used in desserts and has large, attractive leaves.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-8
• Tips: Harvest only the stalks; leaves are toxic.

Ground Covers

14. Strawberry

• Benefits: Delicious fruit, attractive ground cover.
• Description: Strawberries are sweet and can be used fresh or in desserts.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-10
• Tips: Plant in full sun and ensure good air circulation to prevent disease.

15. Creeping Thyme

• Benefits: Edible leaves, fragrant ground cover.
• Description: Creeping thyme has small leaves and purple flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-9
• Tips: Grows well in poor, well-drained soil and full sun.

Vines

16. Grapevine

• Benefits: Fresh grapes, shade.
• Description: Grapes can be used fresh, dried, or for making wine.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 4-10
• Tips: Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage fruiting.

17. Kiwi Vine

• Benefits: Unique fruit, attractive foliage.
• Description: Kiwis are rich in vitamin C and grow on vigorous vines.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 7-9
• Tips: Needs a male and female plant for pollination.

Shrubs

18. Goji Berry

• Benefits: High in antioxidants, easy to grow.
• Description: Goji berries are small, red, and nutritious.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 5-9
• Tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

19. Elderberry

• Benefits: Medicinal uses, attractive flowers.
• Description: Elderberries can be used in syrups, jams, and wines.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 3-9
• Tips: Needs well-drained soil and regular pruning.

Flowers

20. Daylily

• Benefits: Edible flowers, ornamental value.
• Description: Daylily flowers are colorful and can be used in salads.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-10
• Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new blooms.

21. Nasturtium

• Benefits: Edible flowers and leaves, pest repellent.
• Description: Nasturtiums have vibrant flowers and peppery leaves.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 2-11
• Tips: Prefers poor soil and full sun.

Root Vegetables

22. Carrot

• Benefits: Nutritious, versatile in cooking.
• Description: Carrots come in various colors and are rich in beta-carotene.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-10
• Tips: Keep soil loose and free of stones for straight roots.

23. Sweet Potato

• Benefits: Nutritious tubers, attractive vines.
• Description: Sweet potatoes have edible leaves and sweet, starchy roots.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 8-11
• Tips: Needs warm soil and a long growing season.

Grains

24. Corn

• Benefits: Versatile crop, can be used fresh or dried.
• Description: Corn is a staple grain with many varieties.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 3-11
• Tips: Plant in blocks for better pollination.

25. Quinoa

• Benefits: High in protein, ornamental value.
• Description: Quinoa produces seeds that are nutritious and easy to cook.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 4-10
• Tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

Others

26. Artichoke

• Benefits: Edible flower buds, attractive foliage.
• Description: Artichokes are perennial plants with large, thistle-like flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 7-11
• Tips: Needs full sun and regular watering.

27. Horseradish

• Benefits: Spicy root, medicinal uses.
• Description: Horseradish root is pungent and used in condiments.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-9
• Tips: Harvest roots in late fall for best flavor.

Trees

28. Mulberry Tree

• Benefits: Tasty berries, shade.
• Description: Mulberries are sweet and can be used fresh or dried.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 5-9
• Tips: Plant away from walkways as falling berries can stain.

29. Pomegranate Tree

• Benefits: Nutrient-rich fruit, ornamental value.
• Description: Pomegranates have juicy seeds and vibrant flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 7-10
• Tips: Prefers hot, dry climates and well-drained soil.

More Vegetables

30. Spinach

• Benefits: Nutrient-dense, versatile.
• Description: Spinach leaves are rich in vitamins and can be eaten fresh or cooked.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-9
• Tips: Grow in cool weather for best results.

31. Cabbage

• Benefits: Nutrient-rich, versatile in cooking.
• Description: Cabbage heads are used in salads, soups, and fermented dishes.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 2-9
• Tips: Protect from pests with row covers.

32. Beet

• Benefits: Edible roots and leaves, nutritious.
• Description: Beets are sweet, earthy, and can be red, golden, or striped.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 2-10
• Tips: Keep soil moist for tender roots.

33. Pumpkin

• Benefits: Versatile in cooking, ornamental value.
• Description: Pumpkins are used in pies, soups, and decorations.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-9
• Tips: Needs plenty of space to spread.

Additional Herbs

34. Mint

• Benefits: Aromatic, medicinal uses.
• Description: Mint is a vigorous herb with many culinary uses.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-11
• Tips: Plant in containers to prevent spreading.

35. Oregano

• Benefits: Culinary uses, aromatic.
• Description: Oregano is a hardy herb used in many cuisines.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-10
• Tips: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil.

36. Sage

• Benefits: Culinary and medicinal uses, drought-tolerant.
• Description: Sage has silvery leaves and a strong, earthy flavor.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-8
• Tips: Prune regularly to maintain shape.

37. Thyme

• Benefits: Culinary uses, aromatic.
• Description: Thyme has small leaves and a strong flavor.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-9
• Tips: Grows well in poor, well-drained soil and full sun.

38. Lavender

• Benefits: Aromatic, medicinal uses.
• Description: Lavender has fragrant flowers and is used in sachets and oils.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 5-9
• Tips: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.

9. Chives

• Benefits: Edible leaves and flowers, pest repellent.
• Description: Chives have a mild onion flavor and purple flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-9
• Tips: Harvest regularly to encourage new growth.

Edible Flowers

40. Calendula

• Benefits: Edible flowers, medicinal uses.
• Description: Calendula has bright orange or yellow flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 2-11
• Tips: Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.

41. Borage

• Benefits: Edible flowers, attracts pollinators.
• Description: Borage has blue, star-shaped flowers.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-10
• Tips: Self-seeds readily, so thin out seedlings if needed.

More Vines

42. Passionfruit

• Benefits: Delicious fruit, ornamental flowers.
• Description: Passionfruit has fragrant flowers and sweet-tart fruits.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 8-11
• Tips: Needs a sturdy trellis and plenty of sunlight.

43. Hops

• Benefits: Used in brewing, ornamental value.
• Description: Hops have cone-shaped flowers used in beer production.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 3-8
• Tips: Requires a tall support structure for climbing.

Additional Berries

44. Blackberry Bush

• Benefits: High in antioxidants, easy to grow.
• Description: Blackberries are sweet and can be used fresh or in desserts.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-10
• Tips: Train on a trellis to keep canes manageable.

45. Gooseberry Bush

• Benefits: Nutritious berries, ornamental value.
• Description: Gooseberries can be green, red, or purple and are tart.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 3-8
• Tips: Prune regularly to encourage airflow and reduce disease.

Additional Ground Covers

46. Wintergreen

• Benefits: Edible berries, aromatic leaves.
• Description: Wintergreen has red berries and minty leaves.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-8
• Tips: Prefers acidic soil and partial shade.

47. Cranberry

• Benefits: High in antioxidants, ornamental value.
• Description: Cranberries are tart and used in sauces and juices.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 2-7
• Tips: Needs acidic, bog-like soil and consistent moisture.

Additional Perennials

48. Sorrel

• Benefits: Nutritious leaves, tart flavor.
• Description: Sorrel is a leafy green with a tangy taste.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 3-7
• Tips: Harvest young leaves for the best flavor.

49. Lovage

• Benefits: Edible leaves, stalks, and seeds.
• Description: Lovage tastes similar to celery and is used in soups and salads.
• Ease of Growing: Easy
• Zones: 4-8
• Tips: Prefers rich, moist soil and partial shade.

Additional Trees

50. Olive Tree

• Benefits: Edible fruit, ornamental value.
• Description: Olives are used for oil and as table fruit.
• Ease of Growing: Moderate
• Zones: 8-10
• Tips: Requires well-drained soil and plenty of sunlight.