Avocado

Latin name - Persea americana 

The Avocado tree originates from the highlands of Central America, and has been under human cultivation for at least 5,000 years.  Rich with monounsaturated fats, vitamins, and minerals, Avocados are a supremely healthy fruit.  Their rich, buttery flavor and culinary versatility make them a prized ingredient in kitchens worldwide, but mostly we think of Avocados as a pillar of Mexican cuisine.  

Avocado trees can thrive in a broad range of climates and growing conditions, but one of their most remarkable features is their widespread fruiting season.  In Florida, Avocado season is at its peak in the late-summer and fall months, but fruit can be harvested almost year-round when planting multiple varieties with overlapping ripening periods.   See our Avocado variety guide below for information on early, mid, and late ripening cultivars.

The Avocado tree itself is reasonably fast growing, evergreen, and usually takes a wide, bushy form.  Tree vigor can vary between varieties, and each seems to have their own unique leaf shape and growth habit.  Avocado trees can begin to bloom in early spring and continue through summer, usually shedding lots of leaves during the onset of the bloom period.  They require ample water to thrive, but will not tolerate flooding, standing water, or overly saturated soils.   Root rot can occur quickly when standing water is present, so choose a location with well draining soil or consider planting on a mound.