Botanical name | Persea americana |
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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 | |
Categories | |
Common name(s) | Avocados |
Origin | |
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. |
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

Moderate Maintenance
Requires moderate maintenance.