Growing Avocados: Basics for Tropical & Subtropical Gardens

Avocados are wonderful trees with stunning leaves—great for tropical and subtropical areas. Many of my best childhood memories involve gathering avocados right off the tree for a midday snack.

The Basics

Easy to grow, highly rewarding trees that can, with work, be grown in pots in cooler areas (though may never fruit in containers). Flowers individually unremarkable, but a whole tree in bloom with long hanging clusters is stunning. Blooms start after December into early spring. Skin smooth/thin or hard/woody. Trees bear fruit alternate years—heavy one year, light the next; few varieties fruit annually. Avocados: low sugar, great in salsa/guacamole, good vitamin source, high in calories. Native to subtropical/tropical America. Hardiest: Mexican types (slightly below 20°F).

How & Where to Plant

Cold is the biggest factor in U.S. avocado growing. Most growers in California and Florida; some in Gulf area and Texas. New varieties in development but not yet marketed. Good drainage is key. They hate wet feet and standing water on roots. Poorly drained soil? Build a raised bed—only way to grow avocados. In Mexico, I've seen huge planters built just for proper drainage. Fast growers—3-year-old tree may be 12 feet tall. Plan for fast-growing, short-lived tree (20–30 years typical, some specimens 40+ years).

Tree Care

• Water: Soak soil around young tree weekly first year minimum. Ensure soil dry before rewatering. Shallow roots rot if kept moist.
• Soil pH: Don't do well in alkaline soils—chlorosis results.
• Weeds: Keep area weed-free.
• Pesticides: Very careful—avoid near trees.
• Pruning: Little if any needed; tree shapes nicely if left alone. Remove large dead areas carefully without damaging living tissue.
• Fruit drop: Avocados stubborn—often fall before fully ripe. Normal. Gather and ripen indoors.

Dwarf Trees?

No good dwarf trees on market yet, but hope remains—several breeders rumored to be working on them. Due to unavailability, many try growing their own. Trees becoming more available but breeding/selling quality trees still needs work. If you get into avocado breeding, market is wide open with lots of room to venture.

Thanks to Thaumaturgist for images.