Persea americana (Avocados)

Botanical name: Persea americana
Common name(s): Avocados
Categories: Fruits and Vegetables, Trees

Plant description:

Avocados are tropical trees, but adapt quite well to temperate climates if sheltered from cold winds. They are not pears and shouldn’t be called ‘avocado pears’. The trees are large, so only grow one if you have enough space. ‘Fuerte’ is a good variety to grow on its own, as male and female flowers overlap and pollination can take place. Always plant a grafted tree, as you can’t be sure whether a tree grown from a pip will bear fruit.

Family: Lauraceae

Botanical Pronunciation: PER-see-uh uh-mair-ih-KAY-nuh

Persea americana requirements and features

info on these icons

Evergreen

Never Sheds All of Its Foliage.

Semi Deciduous

Sheds Part of Its Foliage During Winter/Autumn.

Deciduous

Sheds Its Leaves Annually

Full Sun

Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day.

Half Sun

Prefers 3 To 6 Hours of Sunlight a Day.

Shade

Prefers Low Light Levels.

Frost Hardy

Can Handle frost without damage.

Semi Frost Hardy

Is Able to Survive Moderately Low Temperatures.

Frost Sensitive

Will Get Damaged and Possibly Killed During Periods of Frost.

High Watering

Requires Frequent Watering.

Moderate Watering

Requires Regular Watering.

Low Watering

Requires Little Water.

High Maintenance

Requires Regular Maintenance.

Moderate Maintenance

Requires moderate maintenance.

Low Maintenance

Requires little maintenance.

Pruning Required

Needs to be Pruned.

Indigenous

Originates in South Africa.

Non Indigenous

Exotic to South Africa.

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Plant Attributes
Additional Information

Botanical name	Persea americana
Plant Care	Full Sun Full Sun – Prefers 6 or more hours of sun per day. Frost Sensitive Frost Sensitive – Will Get Damaged and Possibly Killed During Periods of Frost. Moderate Watering Moderate Watering – Requires Regular Watering. Non Indigenous Non Indigenous – Exotic to South Africa.
Size	9 m *
Categories	Fruits and Vegetables Trees
Common name(s)	Avocados
Origin	Tropical america
Planting instructions	Plant trees in deep, very well-drained soil.
Maintenance	Water thoroughly every two weeks during dry weather. Avocado trees are evergreen and do not need pruning.
Fruit	Pick one well-developed fruit and store at room temperature. If it is ready to be eaten within 8–10 days without shrivelling, then the rest of the well-developed fruit can be picked.
Soil conditions	Well drained
Common pests and diseases	Susceptible to root-rot fungus if the soil is not well drained.
Recommended varieties	‘Fuerte’, ‘Edranol’, ‘Hass’, ‘Pinkerton’, ‘Simmons’.
Harvest	Pick one well-developed fruit and store at room temperature. If it is ready to be eaten within 8–10 days without shrivelling, then the rest of the well-developed fruit can be picked.

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Persea americana (Avocados)