Avocado
Persea americana
Also listed as Persea floccosa, Persea gratissima
Also known as Avocado Pear, Alligator Pear
Climate Match for your location
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A subtropical evergreen tree prized for its creamy, nutrient-rich fruit. Requires warm climates and consistent moisture but tolerates a range of soil types.
Why grow it
Avocado offers higher fat content and micronutrient density than most other tree fruits, making it nutritionally distinct in a polyculture system. Unlike many subtropical fruits, it tolerates a broader range of soil pH and types, though it does demand consistent moisture and warm temperatures. The long productive lifespan (decades) and relatively modest annual maintenance once established make it a stable perennial yield component in suitable climates.
Watch out for
Avocado trees are slow to fruit from seed (5-13 years), so grafted nursery stock is more practical for food production timelines. Flowering and fruit set can be erratic in marginal climates or when temperature fluctuates sharply, even in regions where the tree survives. The dense canopy and shallow root system compete aggressively with nearby plants, requiring thoughtful spacing and careful companion placement.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lauraceae
Native Range
South-central Mexico
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A subtropical evergreen tree prized for its creamy, nutrient-rich fruit. Requires warm climates and consistent moisture but tolerates a range of soil types.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Avocado grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Avocado offers higher fat content and micronutrient density than most other tree fruits, making it nutritionally distinct in a polyculture system. Unlike many subtropical fruits, it tolerates a broader range of soil pH and types, though it does demand consistent moisture and warm temperatures. The long productive lifespan (decades) and relatively modest annual maintenance once established make it a stable perennial yield component in suitable climates.
Watch out for
Avocado trees are slow to fruit from seed (5-13 years), so grafted nursery stock is more practical for food production timelines. Flowering and fruit set can be erratic in marginal climates or when temperature fluctuates sharply, even in regions where the tree survives. The dense canopy and shallow root system compete aggressively with nearby plants, requiring thoughtful spacing and careful companion placement.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lauraceae
Native Range
South-central Mexico
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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