Avocados are a popular and nutritious fruit that can be grown in a wide range of climates if you choose the right variety. Whether you're aiming for creamy Hass or a larger, green-skinned Florida or Caribbean type, knowing the harvest period and cold hardiness of different avocado tree varieties is essential to growing successfully.
In this guide, I’ll compare some of the most common avocado tree varieties in terms of harvest period (the time when you can expect to pick ripe avocados), cold hardiness (how well the tree can withstand cold temperatures), type of avocado, and flower type (to get the best pollination).
What to Consider When Choosing an Avocado Tree Variety
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Harvest Period: Different avocado varieties ripen at various times throughout the year. Some varieties are better suited for extended harvest periods, while others may have a shorter window.
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Cold Hardiness: Avocados are typically tropical or subtropical, but certain varieties are more cold-tolerant than others. If you live in an area with chilly winters, it’s crucial to select a variety that can tolerate lower temperatures.
Avocados are classified into three primary types: Guatemalan, Mexican, and West Indian, each with distinct characteristics.
1. Mexican Avocados
- Cold Hardiness: Mexican varieties are the most cold-tolerant, with some capable of surviving temperatures as low as 15°F.
- Characteristics: Mexican avocados tend to have thin, smooth skins and smaller fruits. Their oil content is typically high, giving the fruit a rich flavor.
- Examples: Lila (Opal), Del Rio, Mexicola, Joey.
2. Guatemalan Avocados
- Cold Hardiness: Guatemalan varieties are somewhat less cold-tolerant than Mexican avocados, generally thriving in temperatures above 26°F.
- Characteristics: These avocados have thicker, pebbly skins and produce medium to large fruits. They often have a creamy texture with a nutty flavor and good oil content.
- Examples: Hass, Lamb Hass, Reed, Fuerte (a Guatemalan-Mexican hybrid).
3. West Indian Avocados
- Cold Hardiness: West Indian varieties are the least cold-tolerant and require warm, frost-free climates to thrive. They are well-adapted to tropical and humid regions.
- Characteristics: West Indian avocados are known for their large, smooth-skinned fruits with lower oil content, resulting in a lighter, more watery flavor compared to Mexican or Guatemalan types.
- Examples: Choquette, Lula, Russell, large "aquacate" found at Latin American grocery stores
What Are Avocado Flower Types A and B?
Avocados have a unique flowering system that includes Type A and Type B flowers. Each avocado tree has one type of flower, and these types relate to the way the flowers open and close during pollination.
Type A Avocado Flowers:
- Opening Schedule: Type A flowers open as female in the morning, close in the afternoon, and reopen as male in the afternoon of the next day.
- Pollination: Best suited for cross-pollination with Type B flowers, though they can still self-pollinate. However, having a Type B tree nearby increases fruit set.
- Examples: Hass, Mexicola, Brogdon, Florida Hass, Lamb Hass.
Type B Avocado Flowers:
- Opening Schedule: Type B flowers open as female in the afternoon, close by evening, and reopen as male the following morning.
- Pollination: Type B flowers benefit from cross-pollination with Type A trees. This alternating schedule ensures that the female and male phases align with opposite types, improving chances of pollination.
- Examples: Fuerte, Bacon, Lula, Joey, Fantastic.
- While both Type A and Type B avocado trees are capable of self-pollination, cross-pollination between the two types leads to a higher fruit yield. Planting both A and B types near each other helps ensure more consistent pollination and increases the number of avocados your trees will produce.
Avocado Tree Variety Comparison Chart
Below is a comparison chart to help you choose the best avocado tree variety for your garden.
| Avocado Variety | Harvest Period | Cold Hardiness (°F) | Avocado Type | Flower Type (A/B) | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lila (Opal) | August - October | 15°F - 18°F | Mexican | B | Extremely cold-tolerant; small to medium green fruit with a smooth texture. |
| Del Rio (Pryor) | August - October | 15°F - 18°F | Mexican | B | Cold-hardy with medium-sized fruit and high oil content. |
| Fantastic | September - October | 15°F - 18°F | Mexican | B | Highly cold-tolerant; small to medium fruit with green skin. |
| Joey | September - November | 15°F - 18°F | Mexican | B | Dark purple-black, medium-sized fruit; excellent cold tolerance and flavor. |
| Mexicola | August - October | 18°F - 22°F | Mexican | A | One of the most cold-hardy avocados; small, thin-skinned fruits. |
| Stewart | September - November | 18°F - 22°F | Mexican | A | Another cold-hardy variety; rich, dark skin and nutty flavor. |
| Winter Mexican | October - January | 18°F - 22°F | Mexican | A | Small to medium green fruit with smooth skin and excellent cold tolerance. |
| Bacon | November - March | 24°F - 28°F | Mexican | B | Hardy variety with smooth, green skin and mild flavor. |
| Brogdon | July - September | 24°F - 28°F | Hybrid between Mexican and West Indian avocados | A | Medium-sized, purple-black fruit; cold-hardy and well-adapted to humid climates. |
| Choquette | October - December | 26°F - 28°F | West Indian | A | Large, green fruit with smooth skin and watery flesh; performs well in humid areas. |
| Lula | October - December | 25°F - 28°F | West Indian | B | Medium to large fruit with green skin; good cold tolerance and high oil content. |
| Florida Hass (Super Hass) | July - October | 26°F - 28°F | Mexican | A | Medium-sized green fruit with high oil content; adapted to high humidity and cooler climates. |
| Fuerte | November - June | 26°F - 30°F | Guatemalan-Mexican Hybrid | B | Known for its buttery texture and mild flavor. Good cold tolerance. |
| Russell | July - October | 26°F - 30°F | West Indian | B | Unique, long and slender fruit; suited for humid areas. |
| Hass | March - October | 28°F - 32°F | Guatemalan | A | Most popular; creamy texture; excellent flavor. |
| Lamb Hass | May - November | 28°F - 32°F | Guatemalan | A | Similar to Hass but larger fruits; longer harvest period. |
| Reed | July - October | 30°F - 32°F | Guatemalan | A | Larger, round fruit with a smooth texture. Best suited for warmer regions. |
My Brogdon avocado harvest.
Additional Notes:
- Brogdon: Well-adapted to both cold and humid climates, making it ideal for southern regions like Florida and Texas.
- Lila (Opal), Del Rio, Fantastic, Joey: These varieties are all highly cold-tolerant, thriving in regions where temperatures drop as low as 15°F.
- Choquette & Lula: Perform well in humid conditions and have larger fruit sizes, but they are less cold-hardy than some of the Mexican varieties.
- Russell: Recognizable for its unusual, elongated shape, this variety prefers warm, humid environments.
- Florida Hass (Super Hass): This variety has moderate cold hardiness, with medium-sized, green fruit and a high oil content, making it ideal for humid areas like Florida and South Texas.
Tips for Growing Avocados in Cooler Climates
- Location: Plant your avocado tree in a spot that gets full sun and has protection from strong winds.
- Mulching: A thick layer of mulch around the base of the tree will help insulate the roots and protect them from colder temperatures.
- Frost Protection: Use frost cloths or covers during extreme cold to prevent damage to the tree.
Check out my top tips to growing avocado trees tutorial:
2 comments
You did not mention A vs B trees. It is my understanding that you get better pollination if you mix the two types.
Wish I had this 8 years ago. Out of all the research I’ve done this is the best guide I’ve ever come across. Your video is also amazing. Lots of guides tell you everything about the Avocados except they don’t emphasize growing zones and cold hardiness FIRST. Thanks for the great guide.