Persea americana
avocado
A bushy evergreen shrub or small tree, with glossy, lance-shaped or elliptic leaves, rarely flowering in cultivation in temperate climates
Other common names
aguacatealligator pear
see moreavocado pear
midshipman's butter
palta
vegetable marrow
West Indian avocado
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | Green | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Green | Green | ||
Autumn | Green | |||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Lauraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Pets (rabbits): Leaves TOXIC if eaten Pets (incl. caged birds): Fruit harmful if eaten repeatedly - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Persea are evergreen shrubs or small trees with simple leaves and small greenish flowers, followed by pear-shaped, dark green fruits with edible flesh
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- C. America
How to grow
Cultivation
In temperate climate grow under cover in containers at least 30cm (12in) in diameter using loam-based compost with added sharp sand. Maintain temperatures of 20-28°C (68-82°F) and high humidity. Apply balanced liquid feed every 2-3 weeks
Propagation
Propagate by seed. Soak undamaged seed in hot for 30 minutes at 40-52°C (104-125°F). Cut a thin slice from the pointed end of the seed. Sow individually in moist sandy compost with the cut end slightly above the soil surface and keep at 20-25°C (68-77°F). Cultivars are propagated by grafting
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
Pests
Glasshouse whitefly, thrips and glasshouse red spider mite and mealybug may be a problem
Diseases
Can suffer from fungal leaf spots and Phytophthora root rot
Get involved
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