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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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!