Not All Fruits Are Worth It And These 20 Will Make You Think Twice

Fruits may generally have a good reputation in the world of healthy eating, but not all fruits deserve a spot on your plate—or in your garden! Some fruits come with a side of hassle, disappointment, or downright unpleasantness that makes them more trouble than they’re worth.

Whether it’s prickly skins, downright offensive smells, or the high maintenance of growing them, these 20 fruits will make you reconsider whether the juice is truly worth the squeeze. Get ready for a fun, playful, and slightly dramatic journey through the fruit bowl of regret!

1. Durian

Ever been kicked out of a public place because of a fruit? Enter the durian! Known as the ‘king of fruits,’ its smell is so pungent that it’s banned in many hotels and public transport across Southeast Asia.

Planting it in your garden is like inviting chaos with a side of stink; it’s a commitment that requires lots of space and patience. While some brave souls adore its custard-like flesh, the rest of us think this spiky fruit should come with a user manual and a ‘sniff at your own risk’ label.

2. Ackee

Imagine a fruit that could land you in the hospital if not prepared correctly! That’s the ackee for you, Jamaica’s national fruit that’s as hazardous as it is iconic.

This fruit contains toxins that can cause vomiting, hypoglycemia, or even a coma if consumed unripe. Growing it in your garden would be like playing a risky game of culinary roulette, and unless you’re a trained expert, it’s best to leave this one to the professionals.

3. Elderberries

Tiny, dark, and dangerous? That’s elderberries for you! While often touted for their immune-boosting benefits, these berries can cause nausea and severe stomach issues if eaten raw.

Cultivating them means dealing with their demanding pruning needs and ensuring not to accidentally ingest their poisonous parts. It’s like adopting a pet that might bite—only this one grows on a bush and requires a lot of vigilant care to keep it from becoming a health hazard.

4. Miracle Fruit

How about a fruit that’s more gimmick than gourmet? Enter the miracle fruit, whose primary claim to fame is making sour things taste sweet.

While fun at parties, this berry is a garden diva, demanding lots of specific care to flourish. It’s like planting a joke that needs an audience; without the right conditions and climate, you’ll end up with a moody plant that’s more trick than treat.

5. Noni

Ever wanted to taste something that makes you run for the hills? Meet noni, a fruit whose smell alone could clear a room faster than you can say ‘natural remedy.’

Although praised for purported health benefits, its flavor is an acquired taste that many find unbearable. Growing noni means dealing with its pungent scent and figuring out what to do with a crop only a niche group appreciates, making it more of a garden prank than a pleasure.

6. Osage Orange

What’s more decorative than delicious, and doubles as a natural pest repellent? The osage orange! Despite its intriguing appearance, this fruit is inedible due to its unpalatable taste and milky, irritating sap.

Cultivating it in your garden might seem novel, but you’ll quickly find it’s more about keeping squirrels away than harvesting a tasty treat. It’s like keeping a piece of modern art that only you and the local wildlife can appreciate.

7. Soursop

This fruit looks like it’s straight out of a fantasy novel with its spiky skin and enticing aroma. Soursop may seem like a tropical delight, but its hard-to-harvest nature and questionable health claims can be a dealbreaker.

Growing one means dealing with pests galore and a delicate fruit prone to damage. It’s a horticultural roller-coaster that promises a lot but often delivers more work than reward.

8. Chayote

Have you ever wondered if a fruit could have an identity crisis? Enter chayote, which looks like a cross between a pear and a squash but doesn’t have the flavor excitement of either.

Its bland taste and climbing vine growth habit make it a garden headache rather than a culinary delight. Treat this one as a quirky addition rather than a staple, unless you’re into eating what feels like nature’s beige canvas.

9. Buddha’s Hand

Ever met a fruit that’s more fun to look at than to eat? Buddha’s Hand is a citrus curiosity that looks like it’s attempting a yoga pose.

While its zest is useful for infusions, it’s mostly rind, leaving little for your taste buds to enjoy. Gardening this fruit can be rewarding if you love unique decor, but if you’re aiming for a juicy snack, you might end up more zen about the art of patience than the art of snacking.

10. Medlar

What if I told you there’s a fruit that needs to rot before it’s ready to eat? Meet the medlar, a medieval fruit that’s the poster child for delayed gratification.

Its curious requirement to become ‘bletted’—or nearly spoiled—before consumption makes it a quirky but laborious garden project. Unless you’re a history buff or love peculiar produce, this might end up being the fruit equivalent of a time machine you didn’t need.

11. Quince

Not all golden fruits are treasures, and quince is testament to that with its hard, astringent flesh that’s barely edible when raw. This fruit requires cooking to transform into something palatable, needing sugar and spice to become nice.

Planting quince might make you feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale, but the reality is more of a kitchen marathon than a snack attack. Think of it as fruit that’s more Cinderella at the stove than princess at the ball.

12. Jackfruit

What’s the size of a large watermelon and requires a kitchen workout to prepare? The mighty jackfruit! While celebrated for its versatility, its unwieldy size and sticky sap make it a daunting task for gardeners and cooks alike.

Growing it means committing to a tree that can yield hefty fruits, so unless you’re ready for a tropical challenge, think of it as the heavyweight champ of garden headaches.

13. Persimmon

Imagine biting into a fruit that seems sweet, only to be greeted by an astringent surprise that leaves you puckering.

Enter the persimmon, a fruit that’s tricky both to grow and consume without proper ripeness. While it can be a delight when ready, the waiting game and necessary finesse might not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s like having a friend who’s charming but unpredictable—rewarding, yet sometimes a bit of a gamble.

14. Pawpaw

Have you ever heard of a fruit so elusive that it’s sometimes called the ‘Indiana banana’? Meet the pawpaw!

Despite its creamy, tropical flavor, its short shelf life and finicky growth conditions make it a challenging addition to any garden. Like a mysterious guest at a party, it intrigues but often leaves you wondering if it was all just a fleeting whim of nature.

15. Breadfruit

What’s round, starchy, and better suited for a tropical island than your backyard? Breadfruit! This staple of many Pacific islands requires a warm climate and plenty of space to thrive.

Cultivating it outside its native habitat can be more trouble than it’s worth, turning an exotic dream into a gardening headache. It’s the fruit equivalent of trying to grow palm trees in the Arctic—ambitious but likely to end in a frosty disappointment.

16. Kiwano (Horned Melon)

Ever wanted a fruit that looks like it has its own defense mechanism? Enter the kiwano, or horned melon. Its spiky exterior and jelly-like interior make it more of a curious spectacle than a staple snack.

While it adds an exotic touch to any garden, the novelty might wear off once you realize it’s as much work to handle as it is to eat. It’s like adopting a pet porcupine—you love showing it off, but handling it is a whole other story.

17. Cupuacu

Meet the fruit with a name that’s as fun to say as it is to grow! Cupuacu, a cousin of cacao, promises a tropical twist but often leaves gardeners tangled in its demanding care and specific climate needs.

Unless you’re in the Amazon, cultivating it can feel like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Think of it as a taste of the rainforest that requires more than just a green thumb—it demands a whole green hand.

18. Jabuticaba

What grows right on the trunk of a tree and looks like a botanical wonder? Jabuticaba! While its grapes-like berries are intriguing, the tree’s slow growth and specific climate needs can test any gardener’s patience.

Growing it outside its native Brazil might feel like trying to teach a fish to climb a tree—fascinating but not exactly fruitful. It’s a sweet adventure that requires a lot more time and dedication than you might expect.

19. Sapodilla

Fancy a fruit that tastes like sweet, grainy caramel? Then you might be tempted by sapodilla! While delightful to eat, cultivating it demands a tropical climate and vigilance against pests, which can make it a labor of love rather than a garden staple.

It’s like finding a treasure chest that requires a specific key—rewarding if you can unlock its secrets but possibly frustrating if you’re just looking for an easy win.

20. Passion Fruit

Would you care for a fruit as passionate as its name suggests? Passion fruit is a tropical delight with a tangy taste, but it’s also a vine that can take over your garden faster than you can say ‘floral explosion.’

Managing its growth requires consistent pruning and care, making it a garden diva that demands attention. It’s the horticultural version of a soap opera—full of excitement and drama, but best kept in check before it becomes the main event.