Avocados grow on trees from pollinated flowers, and the fruit takes 6 to 12 months to ripen on the tree. Trees grown from seed can take years to fruit.
Growth
- Avocado trees flower in spring.
- Flowers open in two stages, which needs cross pollination for best results.
- Fruit grows over 6 to 12 months and ripens only after it is picked.
Time to fruit
A tree from seed takes 5 to 13 years. Grafted trees fruit in 3 to 4 years.
Needs
Warm climate, full sun and well drained soil.
Top producers
Mexico, Colombia and Peru.
Tree facts
Avocado trees (Persea americana) are evergreen, subtropical trees that can reach 30 to 80 feet tall. They originate in south central Mexico, and have been grown for thousands of years.
Types
Avocados are in two flower types, A and B, which open at different times of day. Planting both can improve fruit set. Hass (type A) is the most common variety and accounts for about 80% of avocados eaten worldwide.
Growing from seed
A seed can sprout in water in 2 to 8 weeks, but seed grown trees take 5 to 13 years to fruit, and fruit may differ from the parent. Grafted trees usually fruit in 3 to 4 years.
Climate
Avocados need frost free conditions, as young trees die below about 30 degrees F (minus 1 degree C). They grow in USDA zones 9 to 11 and need full sun.
Water and soil
Well drained soil is critical, as root rot (Phytophthora) is a major threat. Trees need regular deep watering, but not soggy soil. Mulch helps.
Pollination
Bees are the main pollinators. A mature tree can produce thousands of flowers, but only a small number set fruit.
Production
Mexico is the largest producer, with about 2.4 million tons per year, followed by Colombia, Peru, Dominican Republic and Indonesia, according to FAO data. In the US, California produces most of the domestic crop, followed by Florida and Hawaii.
Harvest
Avocados do not ripen on the tree. They soften after picking, taking 5 to 10 days at room temperature. A Hass avocado turns from green to dark purple or black when ripe.
Water use
Avocados use significant water, estimated at about 70 gallons per pound in California, according to studies.
Nutrition
Half an avocado has about 160 calories, 7 grams of fiber and 15 grams of fat, mostly monounsaturated.
Tree facts and pollination
The avocado (Persea americana) is a tree native to Mexico and Central America that can grow 30 to 40 feet tall. Hass is the main commercial variety, making up about 80 percent of avocados grown worldwide. Avocado flowers open as type A or type B, with female and male phases at different times of day, so growers often plant both types for better fruit set. Fruit does not ripen on the tree, and softens after picking, usually in 3 to 7 days at room temperature.
Growing and water use
Trees grown from seed may take 5 to 13 years to bear fruit and do not reliably match the parent, while grafted trees bear in 3 to 4 years. Avocados need frost free climates, well drained soil and regular watering, and they are sensitive to root rot. Estimates suggest producing a pound of avocados takes more than 60 gallons of water in California. Mexico supplies about a third of the world’s avocados. A medium avocado has about 240 calories, 10 grams of fiber and 20 grams of fat, mostly monounsaturated.
Based on data from the USDA and the University of California Cooperative Extension
