Persea

( pur - SEE - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

Persea is a genus of medium-sized evergreen trees commonly called Avocado, which need full sun and regular water to perform well in the garden. They are evergreen and produce edible fruits, which are generally dark green to blackish-purple when ripe and have creamy green flesh. Full size trees can reach up to 80 feet tall and are useful as ornamental and shade trees. Avocado trees can be grown as members of food forests, and also make excellent privacy screening or background shrubs.

Avocado Species and Varietals

The genus Persea includes about 150 species and is a member of the plant family Lauraceae. Cultivars of Avocado species are either labeled 'A' or 'B' in parenthesis beside their name. Growing zones for Avocado vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map

Persea americana (Alligator Pear, Avocado Pear)
This species is native to the Americas (Mexico through Costa Rica , and forms an evergreen medium-sized tree with large green leaves and grey-brown bark. It was first domesticated over 5,000 years ago in Mesoamerica, and is now one of the most widely planted species of Avocado. Fruits are generally creamy, buttery, and have golden-green flesh when ripe. There are to major subspecies, Persea americana guatemalensis and Persea americana drymifolia. There are many sub-species and varieties, listed and described below.

'Choquette' (A)
A large-fruited variety that bears heavily. Widely grown in south Florida.

'Fuerte' (B)
A historically dominant variety.

'Gwen' (A)
A cross between 'Hass' and 'Thille', this heavy-bearing variety is a great dwarfing variety for California.

'Hass' (A)
The most common A cultivar of Avocado tree. Produces year-round and fruits have a rich, nutty flower.

'Lula' (A)
This Mexican/Guatemalan cross variety has great flavor and high oil content. Widely grown in Florida.

'Maluma' (A)
A recently discovered cultivar from South Africa.

'Pinkerton' (A)
Originally grown on the Pinkerton ranch, these large fruits have small seeds, high oil content and good flavor.

'Reed' (A)
Developed in California, with large, round, green fruits with smooth texture and nutty flavor. Skin is smooth, dark, thick and glossy.

'Sharpless' (B)
Dark purple fruits with rough skin. Developed in California in the 1900s.

'Sharwil' (B)
Developed in Australia, this variety has creamy texture, nutty flavor, and high oil content. Peels easily.

'Spinks' (A)
Developed by William Spinks Jr., this variety is frost-resistant, and is long-lasting in storage.

'Taft' (A)
Avocados with hard, thick green skin. A parent to other popular varieties.

Persea americana guatemalensis (Guatemalan Avocado)
Guatemalan Avocado trees, which are hardy to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit, grow the best in zones are 9, 15 and 19-24.

Persea americana drymifolia (Mexican Avocado)
Mexican Avocado trees, which are hardy to 24 degrees Fahrenheit, grow best in zones 9 and 15-24 as well as in warmer regions of zones 8 and 14.

Persea americana drymifolia 'Bacon'
This species grows best in zones 9 and 15-24, and can be harvested midfall through wintertime. Fruit is green, medium-sized and of good quality. The tree has an upright growth habit and bears more fruit in alternating years. Variety 'Jim Bacon' is a hardier type.

Persea americana drymifolia 'Jim'
This species grows best in zones 9, 15 and 19-24, and has medium sized fruit with green skin and long 'necks'. It can be harvested from late fall into winter.

Persea americana drymifolia 'Mexicola'
Grows best in zones 9 and 15-24. Fruit can be harvested from late summer into fall, and is small and purple-skinned. These avocados have a slightly nutty flavor and a large seed. It is a very cold hardy variety, and can take temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit in stride. Variety 'Mexicola Grande' is a larger variety that is even hardier than the species.

Persea americana drymifolia 'Stewart'
This species of Avocado is compact, and grows best in zones 9 and 15-24. Fruit can be harvested in fall and winter, and is small to medium-sized with dark purple skin and fantastic flavor.

Hybrid Avocado Species

Hybrid Avocado Species 'Fuerte'
These well-known large trees grow best in zones 9, 15, and 19-24. Harvests occur in late fall through to the springtime in alternating years, and high-quality fruit is medium sized with green skin. Hardy to 27 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hybrid Avocado Species 'Hass'
These trees grow best in zones 16, 17 and 19-24 and are harvested in spring through fall. These trees produce medium to large fruit with dark purple, pebbly skin with excellent flavor. These trees are hardy down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Variety 'Lamb Haas' is a more productive plant. Cross-pollinate with 'Zutano'.

Hybrid Avocado Species 'Sir Prize'
Best when grown in zones 9, 16, 17 and 19-24, this tree can be harvested from late fall through spring and produces large fruit. Fruit skin is black, slightly pebbled and has a distinct rib. Avocados produced have a wonderful, buttery flavor.

Hybrid Avocado Species 'Zutano'
This upright tree produces fruit that is medium-sized with green skin and is of average quality. It grows best in zones 9 and 16-24, and can be harvested midfall to midwinter. Hardy to 24 degrees Fahrenheit.. Great for cross-pollination with 'Haas'.

Caring for and pruning Avocado Trees

Selecting and Planting
The first important piece of information to understand when choosing an Avocado tree is the difference between 'A' and 'B' cultivars. Avocado trees are unique in that they produce separate male and female flowers that open at different times of the day. 'A' cultivars have flowers that open as female in the morning, closing in the late morning or afternoon on the first day. The flowers then open as male in the evening of the following day. In 'B' variety cultivars, flowers open as female on the afternoon of the first day and close in the late afternoon, opening again as male the following morning. This type of flowering is called synchronous dichogamy, and serves to promote cross-pollination and genetic diversity in offspring. Planting a type 'A' and a type 'B' close to each other will ensure a full harvest; avocado trees planted singularly will end up producing some fruit, but harvest will be severely lessened.

Trees will not start to produce full harvests until 3-5 years after they have been planted in the ground, so some patience is required after planting.

Care and Pruning
Avocado trees are not cold hardy and prefer continuously moist soil.