This paper closely examines the importance of autochthonous fruit varieties. They reflect ecological and cultural conditions of the region they were cultivated in. They represent a healthy domestic product, a source of vitamins and minerals, affordable by any household that includes at least a small garden. Their significance is also seen in the fact that for their cultivation, the use of pesticides not necessary, owing to their innate resistance to disease, pest and demanding abiotic conditions, which makes them suitable for organic farming as well as growing on crofts, with minimal labour and money investment. Traditional orchards, in which the autochthonous fruit varieties are most commonly grown, are also points of great biodiversity and are being a part of unique regional landscapes. The paper examines the possibility of grownig autochthonous fruit varieties for commercial cause, but also their importance for further breeding as they contain unique genetic material, bearing numerous desireable characteristics. The paper gives an overview of most fruit trees commonly grown in Croatia and lines something briefly about autochthonous varieties of each fruit species. Conservation of autochthonous fruit varieties is described as well, namely through pruning, grafting and plantations. At the very end, a couple of valuable examples of these conservation practices are listed and described.