15 Fruits and Vegetables You Can Grow Indoors All Year Round

Lettuce

Lettuce is a great green to grow indoors because the plant has shallow root systems that don’t need large containers. Lettuce can be grown in any container that’s at least 6 inches deep, and you don’t need to worry about rabbits munching on it outside!

Bibb, leaf, romaine, and more types of lettuce can all be grown from seeds or pre-potted plants, but if you’re serious about harvesting salad in the kitchen, consider splurging on a device designed to replace your need for the produce aisle. A smart garden LED set sits on kitchen countertops, while LettuceGrow’s hydroponic plant stand doubles as decor.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a popular indoor plant, grown in either pots or hanging containers. Some hesitate to grow the fruit indoors, as it can attract fruit flies, but having fresh fruit nearly year-round is definitely a perk. Germinate strawberry seeds in moist, shallow soil, or simplify your indoor strawberry garden by purchasing plants and repotting.

Microgreens

Apartment dwellers short on space can grow microgreens indoors to add a fresh, crisp bite to any savory dish. Only 2 inches of soil is needed (try using an upcycled egg carton or cutting off the lower part of a quart of milk) to successfully grow these flavor-packed babies year-round. Keep soil moist, and harvest with kitchen scissors as needed.

Citrus

You don’t need an orchard to grow citrus indoors. Pick a sunny area and install a potted lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit tree. Yarden.com sells several varieties ready for shipping. Expect fresh scents in the area surrounding your tree and try not to overwater as you get eager for your fresh fruit to grow to peel-worthy status. Opt for a variety that self pollinates, like Meyer lemons, unless you happen to bunk with a bee colony.

Peppers

Small peppers, like chilis, are perfect for sunny indoor spaces. And not only does their color look like a decorative houseplant, but their uses are also infinite. Grow peppers to use as garnish, make your own hot sauces, or even dry them for decor or to pulverize into homemade seasoning. You can grow them year-round as long as you create a warm climate for them. Plant them in pots that have good drainage, as well.

Spring Onions

Spring onions are easy to grow completely for free, using scraps to revive the plant. Keeping the roots attached, cut off the ends of the bulbs and add them to a jar with water. Change the water every few days and watch your spring onions revive! Trim when you’re ready to eat, and keep growing.

Peas

Yep, peas are perfect for your indoor veggie harvest. Snow peas and dwarf peas both work well for year-round growing and don’t need much care other than biweekly watering. You’ll likely need some dowels to support the plants. Be ready to harvest the veggies as soon as they’re ready, and consume them at peak freshness! Gingery pea and cucumber salad, anyone?

Squash

Clear some space, you’re growing a squash bush! If you have a corner or side area that needs some lush greens, consider growing zucchini, patty pan, or even acorn or butternut squash indoors. Germinate seeds from a squash you’ve just eaten, or skip a step by buying the plants and following the care guides. Just remember that squash thrives best in late spring through summer because it requires warmth, so keep the temperature inside high enough to satisfy the squash.

Bananas

Turn your living room into a tropical oasis with the help of a dwarf banana tree! The grafted plants can be purchased online and need regular misting to replicate the humidity of their preferred climate. Expect the edible fruits to grow in clusters, which will be appealing to look at before they’re ready to split.

Mushrooms

If you have extra surfaces to rest a log or small bag on, you can grow mushrooms in even the most cramped of indoor spaces. A wide range of mushroom growing kits rely on just a spritz of water to get going and can be decorative, like a Shiitake Mushroom Growing Log, or more rustic, like the mushroom growing bags from North Spore. Freshly harvested mushrooms are perfect for the grill, risotto, or even in a gift bag for a unique present!

Figs

While not all figs can be grown indoors, some varieties, such as Petite Negra figs are suitable for indoor environments. They are small in size and generally only grow to about three to four feet tall. They also thrive in containers, which makes them easy to put in pots inside, they easily adapt to indoor climates, and they only need about six to eight hours of sunlight per day.

Avocados

Contrary to popular belief, avocados are able to grow inside. In fact, persea americana trees can grow in any hardiness zone and make for a great, low-maintenance houseplant. However, you need to be patient because it can take up to a decade for an indoor avocado tree to grow avocados.

Pineapples

To grow a pineapple inside, you only need to choose a fresh pineapple with a healthy, green top, cut it off (with about an inch of the fruit still attached), and let the top dry. Plant the dried top in a pot with well-draining soil and put it under direct and bright sunlight, watering it regularly. Just note that pineapples are best grown in warm, tropical climates, so it’s best to keep the temperature inside consistently warm.

Kale

Kale prefers cool temperatures—such as in spring and fall—and indirect light, which makes it easier to grow inside than other veggies (and you can control the temperatures indoors). You can start growing kale by planting kale seeds in a well-draining pot and putting it in indirect sunlight for about six hours per day. Keeping the water moist and the temperature cool will help it grow.

Radishes

Radishes grow quickly. You can grow them year-round, and they harvest in about a month. They don’t need a lot of space either. You can grow them in small containers with minimal effort. Just make sure that they get at least about six hours of direct sunlight in your windowsill per day.