🥑 Avocado: Growing Guide
Avocado (Persea americana) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at 2–38 °C (36–100 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 600 cm (236 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Persea americana |
|---|---|
| Category | Exotic |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 600 cm (236 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–7.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | 2–38 °C (36–100 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Height | 500–2000 cm (197–787 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Tropical | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | |||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Aug–Sep.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb–Mar · Harvest: Jul–Sep.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Oct · Harvest: Jun–Sep.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb · Harvest: Jul–Aug.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Good drainage, avoid waterlogging.
Growing tips
Subtropical. Two flower types (A and B) for pollination. Hass and Fuerte.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Avocado: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar · Harvest: Aug–Sep. Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Feb–Mar · Harvest: Jul–Sep. Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Plant out: Jan–Feb, Oct · Harvest: Jun–Sep.
Avocado: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 10 days in winter. Good drainage, avoid waterlogging.
Avocado: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 600 cm (236 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 20 cm (7.9 in).
Avocado: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Avocado: which plants grow well with it?
Basil.
Avocado: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Phytophthora root rot.
Plan your garden
Add Avocado to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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