Although we can’t do it like Georgia does, peaches grow really well in Texas and we have tons of peach orchards throughout the state.
Many parts of Texas are in the same planting zones as Georgia, since Texas includes zones 6 through 10. So, you can imagine that we grow peaches just as good as those from Georgia!
There’s also a nice variety of peach trees with slightly different growing needs, so there are options for people anywhere in the state.
Keep reading to find out which peach varieties are best for your space!
6 Great Peach Tree Varieties for Texas
1. Red Haven Peach Tree (Prunus persica ‘Redhaven’)
Redhaven is hands down the most popular variety of peach tree and is the most commonly planted in the country. This is because its fruits are sweet and juicy and the tree grows incredibly well.
Redhaven peach trees are self-fertile, so you can grow only one and still have a bounty of fruits! It’s also highly disease resistant and grows very quickly, giving you fruits in the first few years.
Redhaven peach trees are really adaptable to a range of growing conditions and hardiness zones, which is another reason why they’re grown so much.
These trees do best with moist and well-draining soil, but can grow in a variety of soil types and pH levels.
The only important maintenance (not necessary but recommended) is to prune these trees annually, so they stay in good form and produce their best fruits.
- Other Common Names: Red Haven, Dwarf Red Haven
- Growing Zones: 5-9
- Average Size at Maturity: 12-15 ft tall by 10-12 ft wide
- Season: Flowers in late spring; Fruits in late summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
2. Harvester Peach Tree (Prunus persica ‘Harvester’)
The Harvester variety is another really popular choice, given its name because it typically produces tons of fruits and creates a huge harvest!
These trees also have a high tolerance for heat and humidity, making them ideal for growers in the south.
Grown in zones 6 through 9, this tree can be grown in pretty much every part of Texas, except for the furthest tip along the border.
The Harvester is also a dwarf variety so it can be grown in smaller spaces and makes the harvest easier. Plus, it’s self-fertile so you can grow this tree in a very small garden.
Being smaller, Harvester doesn’t need to be pruned, but pruning annually helps increase fruit production.
This tree can tolerate partial or full sun and grows well in most soil types. The main consideration for Harvester trees- and for most peach trees- is that they’re growing in well-draining soil.
The Harvester peach also produces a stunning display of pink flowers which is a sight to behold. That coupled with its huge harvest is a great reason to get one of these stunning trees today.
- Other Common Names: Peach ‘Harvester’
- Growing Zones: 6-9
- Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft tall by 5-10 ft wide
- Season: Flowers in late spring; Fruits in late summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees
3. Elberta Peach Tree (Prunus persica ‘Elberta’)
The Elberta peach is a great choice of fruit tree for northern Texas since it’s hardier than most other varieties. Elberta peach trees can tolerate temperatures down to -10 F, so gardeners in northern TX won’t have any issues with freeze injury.
Elberta is also self-fertile and fairly drought tolerant- in general you don’t need to water these trees unless you haven’t had enough rain and the soil is drying up.
Elberta peach trees are vulnerable to peach leaf curl, a fungal disease that takes over these trees in fall or winter. However, this disease is common for many kinds of peach trees and this isn’t a problem specific to Elberta trees.
The fruit from these trees ripen in early to mid fall, which is a few months later than most peach varieties. This means you can plant an Elberta peach tree alongside a different variety for a longer peach season!
- Other Common Names: Peach ‘Elberta’
- Growing Zones: 5-8
- Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft tall by 8-10 ft wide
- Season: Flowers in late spring; Fruits in early fall
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
4. Redskin Peach Tree (Prunus persica ‘Redskin’)
This tree is called Redskin peach because its peaches are much darker and usually red all over instead of the yellow-pink we typically see.
The flavor of the peaches is also slightly different from most peaches you would buy in a store- so it’s a fun variety to try!
Redskin peach trees are also a semi-dwarf variety, so they’re more manageable and don’t require as intense pruning, but still give a large harvest.
Redskin peach trees are another great choice for north TX growers and won’t grow as well in the southern regions.
These trees don’t do as well with high temperatures and can only grow to central TX.
The Redskin peach tree is a cultivar that was bred from Elberta and Redhaven, so it carries many of the same traits, like being self-fertile.
- Other Common Names: Peach ‘Redskin’
- Growing Zones: 5-8
- Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft tall by 10-15 ft wide
- Season: Flowers in late spring; Fruits in late summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
5. June Gold Peach Tree (Prunus persica ‘June Gold’)
While this tree can grow in most parts of Texas, it’s a really great choice for gardeners in southern TX because it doesn’t require as many chill hours.
Most peach trees need 800 to 900 days at 45 F or below to produce fruit, but June Gold only needs 450!
It’s also a smaller variety that works well for small yards or gardens, and is self-fertile. June Gold can be grown in many different soil types, as long as there’s good drainage.
Although, June Gold peach trees are known to grow slowly and will take longer to mature than most peach tree varieties.
If you wait to harvest until the fruit is completely ripe, June Gold peaches are freestone peaches! This means that the pit in the center comes out so easily it almost falls out.
- Other Common Names: Gold Peach
- Growing Zones: 5-9
- Average Size at Maturity: 10-15 ft tall by 10-15 ft wide
- Season: Flowers in late spring; Fruits in late summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees
6. Frost Proof Peach (Prunus Persica ‘frost’)
As the name suggests, this peach tree is super cold hardy and won’t suffer from low temperatures. So, even growers in the far tip of the panhandle can grow their own peaches!
These trees are really strong growers, being disease resistant and drought tolerant. They’re also self-fertile and can be a great choice for planting one single tree.
One thing to consider is that Frost Proof peach trees are larger and therefore require more intensive pruning.
This also means that the harvest will be bigger, which can be great but not everyone wants that many peaches! Harvesting will also be harder with the fruits up higher and whatever fruits you don’t harvest, will attract lots of wildlife!
- Other Common Names: Peach ‘Frost’
- Growing Zones: 5-9
- Average Size at Maturity: 15-25 ft tall by 15-25 ft wide
- Season: Flowers in late spring; Fruits in late summer
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
Comparing Texas Peach Tree Varieties
| Variety | Description | Growing Zones | Average Size at Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Haven | Most popular variety, self-fertile, highly disease-resistant, adaptable to various conditions. Sweet, juicy fruits. | 5-9 | 12-15 ft tall x 10-12 ft wide |
| Harvester | Produces a huge harvest, heat and humidity tolerant, ideal for southern growers. Dwarf variety, easy harvesting, self-fertile. | 6-9 | 10-15 ft tall x 5-10 ft wide |
| Elberta | Hardy, suitable for northern Texas, tolerates temperatures down to -10 F. Vulnerable to peach leaf curl. Fruits ripen in early to mid-fall. | 5-8 | 10-15 ft tall x 8-10 ft wide |
| Redskin | Known for darker, red-skinned peaches. Semi-dwarf variety, manageable size, large harvest. | 5-8 | 10-15 ft tall x 10-15 ft wide |
| June Gold | Requires fewer chill hours (450), great for southern Texas. Smaller variety, adaptable to various soils. | 5-9 | 10-15 ft tall x 10-15 ft wide |
| Frost Proof | Extremely cold hardy, suitable for the far tip of the panhandle. Larger size requires more intensive pruning, leading to a bigger harvest. | 5-9 | 15-25 ft tall x 15-25 ft wide |
All My Peaches Come From Texas
Fruit trees are such a delight to have in your home garden and peach trees are so common because they are so straightforward- plus the bundles of fresh peaches!
Along with being relatively small and easy to care for, the peach blossoms are incredible! Every spring, these trees are covered with fluffy, bright pink blooms that resemble cherry blossoms.
Many people plant peach trees simply for their amazing blooms and there are many ornamental varieties.
Whether you’re in it for the fruits or flowers, growing a peach anywhere in Texas is 100% possible and a great idea!
