Growing avocado
subtropical / tropical fruit
Pollination
Self-fertile, but flowers are 'type A' or 'type B' and open as male and female at different times of day - planting one of each greatly increases fruit set.
Growing it
Zones 9-11; cold-hardy Mexican types survive brief drops to about 20 F. Needs excellent drainage - wet feet cause root rot. Container culture is possible with dwarfing types.
Where avocado grows best
Hardy in zones 9-11, and it needs enough winter cold - about 0-100 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Florida, Hawaii. Also parts of Alabama, Arizona, California, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Avocado needs roughly 0–100 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does avocado grow in?
Avocado grows in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
How many chill hours does avocado need?
Roughly 0-100 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does avocado need a pollinator?
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner. Self-fertile, but flowers are 'type A' or 'type B' and open as male and female at different times of day - planting one of each greatly increases fruit set.
Which states can grow avocado?
Avocado suits most of Florida, Hawaii, and parts of 13 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.