Growing persimmon
berry / bush fruit
Pollination
Most named varieties fruit alone, but crop better with a male or a second variety; some are strictly female and need a pollinizer.
Growing it
Zones 4-9. Very cold-hardy; fruit is only edible when fully soft and jelly-like. Grafted named types fruit far younger than seedlings.
Where persimmon grows best
Hardy in zones 4-9, and it needs enough winter cold - about 100-400 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Also parts of Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Texas, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Persimmon (American) needs roughly 100–400 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 persimmon grow in?
Persimmon (American) grows in USDA hardiness zones 4-9.
How many chill hours does persimmon need?
Roughly 100-400 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 persimmon need a pollinator?
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner. Most named varieties fruit alone, but crop better with a male or a second variety; some are strictly female and need a pollinizer.
Which states can grow persimmon?
Persimmon (American) suits most of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and 27 more, and parts of 12 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.