Choose the Right Avocado for Your Region
Avocado trees are divided into three main types: Guatemalan, Mexican, and West Indian.
Mexican varieties are the most cold tolerant and need protection for the foliage at 20°F. Mexican types are the least salt tolerant and are typically grown in California. These avocados are Mexican avocados: Mexicola Stewart Zutano
Guatemalan varieties are in between the other two. They're popular in Texas because they're relatively cold and salt tolerant. These avocados are Guatemalan x Mexican: Bacon Hass Little Cado
West Indian varieties are the least cold tolerant, and need protection at 32°F. West Indian types are the most salt tolerant and do very well in Florida. Select the avocados that suit your soil and climate. For the best pollination, plant a tree with A flowers and one with B flowers. We explain the flower types here. Watch our Growing Avocados video for planting, pruning, and harvesting tips -- and enjoy your homegrown avocados in so many ways!
Mexican Avocados
Mexican varieties are the most cold tolerant and need protection for the foliage at 20°F. Mexican types are the least salt tolerant and are typically grown in California. These avocados are Mexican avocados: Mexicola Stewart Zutano
Guatemalan Avocados
Guatemalan varieties are in between the other two. They're popular in Texas because they're relatively cold and salt tolerant. These avocados are Guatemalan x Mexican: Bacon Hass Little Cado
West Indian Avocados
West Indian varieties are the least cold tolerant, and need protection at 32°F. West Indian types are the most salt tolerant and do very well in Florida. Select the avocados that suit your soil and climate. For the best pollination, plant a tree with A flowers and one with B flowers. We explain the flower types here. Watch our Growing Avocados video for planting, pruning, and harvesting tips -- and enjoy your homegrown avocados in so many ways!
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Patsy, I would not recommend getting an avocado for your growing zone and climate. They are really rated to zones 9 and 10 and do best in dry moderate climates. But you can visit your local nursery and talk with someone in your growing zone.
I live in south Alabama zone 8 and lots of rain. Can the avocado flourish in our climate?
Is there an update on how these trees are doing years later? We’re in Meadow Vista and I’m curious how things have panned out long-term. I have my own experiment going with Mexicola Grande, Fantasic, Brogdon, and Bacon trees (we also have a Wurtz, but that might need to live closer to the house long-term). They are still young and spending their first winter in the plant room.
I live in Salem Oregon, zone 8, and we get a fair amount of rain. What variety would you recommend for outdoor?
Mark, my best suggestion is to visit a local nursery or talk to your local master gardeners for advice on varieties that would work in your area.
Santos, what I have found are the following varieties: Butler, Fuchs, Maoz, Pollock, Ruchle, Russell, Simmonds, Trapp, and Waldin. But you should check with your local nursery as to what is available in your area.
Hello. You gave a few names of Mexican & Guatemalan avocados. Could you give some names of West Indian avocados?
Thank you!
Daniel, the Guatemalan varieties seem to be what you are looking for. I would check around at your local nurseries to see if they are available.
I have a ranch in yucca Az 2nd hottest area in the USA.
We have hi salt in the air, and soil. But gets down to freezing in the winter, at night. We also have Hi winds often.
Which varity would you recommend and where can I get the saplings?
Angela, most avocados will get really big. You could grow it in a pot for a while but it will out grow the pot and the greenhouse eventually. Also there are no pollinators in a greenhouse. That might be a problem.