Damon Mcknight
Avocados are tropical trees that thrive in warm, temperate to tropical climates, which is why they grow across much of Australia. Avocado trees can grow up to 10 metres tall, but there are also dwarf varieties that are well-suited for pot cultivation and can be pruned to maintain a compact size of about 4 metres. Avocados are easy to grow from seed, but it can take up to 10 years for a seed-grown tree to bear fruit, and it may not produce fruit true to the parent variety. For a quicker harvest, it is recommended to start with a grafted tree, which can take 4-5 years to bear fruit. Avocados grow best in full sun, protected from strong winds, and in well-drained, fertile soil. They are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot, so it is important to ensure good drainage. Avocado trees typically flower in spring (September to November) in Australia, producing small yellow-green flowers, and start producing fruit after flowering.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | Typically 5–10m+ with age; dwarf forms of +/–4m are also available |
| Plant type | Evergreen, but varies slightly with climate and conditions |
| Climate | Prefers warm temperate, sub-tropical and tropical regions, but there are varieties available that will tolerate cold to around –5°C |
| Soil | Prefers deep, well-drained soil, but is adaptable to most soil types except clay |
| Position | Full sun, protected from strong winds |
| Flowering | Small yellowy-green fragrant flowers appear in spring (September to November) over 6–8 weeks |
| Fruiting | Fruit can take 12 months or more to be ready to pick; grafted trees bought from the nursery can take up to 4-5 years to bear fruit, while trees grown from seed can take up to 10 years |
| Feeding | Feed regularly with a balanced, controlled-release fertiliser for fruiting trees; increase the amount of fertiliser each year to cater to the tree's needs |
| Watering | Water regularly, but avoid over-watering; provide plenty of water during the hottest months of the year, giving a deep watering once a week |
| Harvesting | Look for slightly shrivelled fruit with a dull appearance; if unsure, pick a couple and allow to ripen indoors at room temperature |
| Pruning | Prune in late winter or early spring to avoid reducing flowering and fruit set |
| Varieties | Hass (Type A), Shepard (Type B), Wurtz (dwarf), Fuerte (Type B), Bacon (cold-tolerant), Lamb Hass (dwarf), Pinkerton (dwarf) |
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What You'll Learn
Planting conditions
Avocados are tropical trees and prefer warm temperate to tropical climates. They grow well in most parts of Australia, including QLD, WA, NSW, SA, VIC, and even TAS. Avocados will also grow in warm, temperate, and cool climates, provided there is little to no frost. Cold-hardy avocado trees, especially when mature, can handle brief temperature drops to -5°C. However, young trees need protection from heavy or prolonged frost.
Avocados grow best in full sun and are susceptible to sunburn in summer, so consider painting the trunk with a diluted whitewash. Protect the trees from strong winds, especially in summer. Avocados grow best in deep, fertile, and well-drained soil. If growing in pots, use a good-quality, free-draining potting mix. If the soil is clay-based, add gypsum and fork it in well a few weeks before planting. Mound the soil to improve drainage if necessary.
Avocados are sensitive to over-watering and under-watering. They are susceptible to Phytophthora root rot, so ensure the soil is well-drained. Improve the soil by digging through a combination of well-aged cow manure and blood and bone. Water regularly, especially during the hottest months of the year, but do not over-water. Water once a week, preferably with a deep watering, instead of shallow watering every other day.
Avocados are self-fertile, but having a companion tree of a different variety can increase fruit set and yield. Avocado flowers open at different times of the day, switching sex each time, which makes pollination patchy. Planting both an 'A' and a 'B' type tree with opposite opening cycles can increase the size of your harvest. Avocados are susceptible to fungal disorders, so ensure good drainage to avoid this.
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Avoiding frost damage
Avocado trees are sensitive to frost, which can freeze the sap in the trees, resulting in cell damage. A mild frost may only affect the outer leaves, but a severe frost can damage leaves, fruit, and branches, and even kill younger trees. To avoid frost damage, it is best to choose a location with no history of frost. If that is not possible, select a cold-hardy variety that can withstand brief temperature drops to -4°C to -5°C, such as Bacon or Fuerte.
Young avocado trees need protection from heavy or prolonged frost. Cover them with a frost cloth to insulate them and prevent damage. If frost is likely, cover the top of the tree overnight. Avoid planting in low points; instead, choose a location with some slope to help reduce the severity of frost.
Pruning can also help avoid frost damage. The best time to prune is in spring, once the risk of frost has passed. For young trees under three years old, snip off any suckers growing below the graft union. Make clean, angled cuts right at the trunk. For mature trees, prune lightly every year, cutting away any dead or damaged branches.
In addition to location and pruning, proper watering and fertilisation are essential to help avocado trees withstand frost. Keep the trees reliably watered, especially during extended dry periods. Feed regularly with a balanced, controlled-release fertiliser for fruiting trees.
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Pollination and fertilisation
Avocados are technically self-fertile, but their peculiar sex life makes self-pollination unlikely to occur. Avocado flowers open twice over two days—first as female for about half a day, then as male the next day. This cycle can vary between avocado types, with Group A varieties opening as female in the morning and Group B varieties opening as female in the afternoon. This makes pollination patchy, especially in warmer zones.
To increase the size of your harvest, plant both an 'A' and a 'B' type tree, as they have opposite opening cycles. This will help them pollinate each other, and you will be able to harvest more avocados. If you are planting multiple trees, ensure you leave adequate space between them. The amount of space will depend on the varieties you plant, so check the labels.
If you are planting in a colder region, plant avocado trees in spring to give the trees enough time to grow strong roots before winter. For warmer climates, plant avocado trees in early to mid-autumn to prevent heat stress on young avocado plants.
Avocados are tropical trees, so they prefer warm temperate to tropical climates. They will also grow in warm and cool areas, provided there is protection from frost. In Australia, avocado trees typically flower in spring (September to November) over 6–8 weeks. They produce clusters of small, yellow-green flowers to prepare for fruit set.
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Pruning
When the tree is still young, prune back vigorous central shoots to encourage the ideal shape of a spreading but dense crown. As the tree matures, pruning will likely focus on removing deadwood and crossing branches that may congest the canopy. You can also prune to control the size of your tree, especially if you are growing a dwarf variety in a pot or a small space. Regular pruning can help keep your avocado tree compact and manageable.
It is important to note that avocados fruit on the current or previous year's growth, so excessive pruning can reduce flowering and fruit production. Therefore, judicious pruning is key to maintaining a healthy balance between tree size and fruit yield. After harvesting, lightly prune your avocado tree to remove any dead or dying branches and maintain an open vase shape.
If you need to perform a major prune, it is recommended to do so in autumn or winter. This will give your tree time to recover and encourage new growth in the following spring. Remember that proper pruning techniques will help your avocado tree stay healthy and productive for years to come.
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Harvesting
Avocado trees can take a long time to bear fruit—up to 10 years if grown from seed, and 4-5 years if you start with a grafted tree. When it comes to harvesting avocados, there are a few key things to look out for. Firstly, you'll want to keep an eye on the fruit itself. Avocados are ready to harvest when they have a slightly shrivelled appearance and look a little dull. If you're unsure, pick a couple and let them ripen indoors at room temperature. If they ripen within 7 to 14 days, the rest of the avocados on the tree are likely ready to harvest.
The harvesting season will depend on your location and the avocado variety. For example, the Hass variety (Group A) is typically harvested from August to December, while Fuerte (Group B) is harvested from April to June, and Wurtz (Group A) from August to October.
It's important to note that avocado trees can continue to produce fruit for many years with proper care. Avocados fruit on the current or previous year's growth, so pruning should be done judiciously to avoid reducing yield. Heavy pruning is recommended in late winter or early spring, but you can prune your avocado tree at any time of the year. After harvesting, lightly prune back branches to remove any dead or dying twigs and maintain a desirable shape. If growing in a pot, you may need to cut back a major limb to keep the tree compact.
Avocados are susceptible to Phytophthora Root Rot, so it's crucial to ensure the soil is well-drained. Consider using a light-coloured mulch to reflect heat away from the soil surface during heatwaves. Avocado trees also benefit from plenty of water during hot weather, with a deep watering once a week being preferable to shallow watering every other day.
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Frequently asked questions
The best time to plant avocado trees in Australia depends on your local climate. For colder Australian regions, plant avocado trees in spring. For warmer climates, aim to plant avocado trees in early to mid-autumn.
Grafted avocado trees bought from the nursery can take up to 4-5 years to bear fruit. If you choose to grow an avocado tree from seed, it can take up to 10 years and is unlikely to be the same variety as the one that was planted.
Avocado trees are tropical trees, so they prefer warm temperate to tropical climates. They will also grow in warm, temperate, and cool climates, provided there is little to no frost. Avocado trees can thrive practically anywhere in Australia.
