WHICH AVOCADO VARIETIES CAN YOU GROW IN COLD AREAS? AND WHICH STRATEGIES WILL HELP PROTECT THEM?

Avocado trees grow in the tropics. However, most people don’t know that some Avocado trees will survive in colder climates. Below are listed some specific varieties that have been proven to survive in colder areas. Also, I have listed some strategies that may enable your Avocado trees to survive (and maybe even thrive) in colder areas!

PART I: WHAT ARE THE 7 AVOCADO VARIETIES THAT ARE HARDY DOWN TO ABOUT 14° to 15°F (-9.5° to -10°C)?

I recently did some research and found at least seven (7) different varieties of Avocado trees that can likely survive winter chills down to 15°F (-9.5°C). (There may even be a few that can survive more cold than that). I’ll cut to the chase and simply list these seven (7) Avocado varieties:

ONE: LILA (AKA: “OPAL”). Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). Size: Medium, 6–10 ounces (170g–285g). Shape: Pear-shaped. Flesh: Smooth & Textured. Color when ripe: Green. When ripe: July-Sept (Short season! Ideal for cooler climates!). Type: A.

(Not to be confused with the very popular south Florida variety known as Lula: Lula is only hardy to 25°F [-3.5°C].)

TWO: PANCHO (or PONCHO). Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). Size: 6–8 ounces (170g–227g). Shape: Pear-shaped. Color when ripe: Green. When ripe: July-Sept (Short season. Good for cooler climates). Taste: Great taste, similar to Fantastic. Type: B.

THREE: FANTASTIC (AKA: “PRYOR” or “DEL RIO”).Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). One of these trees barely survived 7°F (-14°C), but had temporary damage to tree (trunk and larger branches survived only. But bounced back within a year or two). Size: small, likely less than 6 oz (170g). Shape: oval. Color when ripe: Green. When ripe: Aug-Sept. Taste: Very good flavor. Higher oil content than most cold-hardy Avocados. Other: Very thin skin. Type: A.

FOUR: JOEY. Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). Size: Medium sized. Shape: Egg shaped. Color when ripe: Purple black. When ripe: Aug-Sept. Taste: Great flavor. NOTES: Thin skin. Heavy producer. Because of dark color and thin skin, difficult to see bruises. Type: B.

FIVE: BRAZO BELLE (AKA: “WILMA”). Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). Size: Medium to large, 6–8 oz (170g-227g). Shape: ?. Color when ripe: Purple to black. When ripe: Aug-Oct. Taste: ?. Type: B.

SIX: DUKE. Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). Possibly some evidence that it may be hardy down to 12°F (-11°C). Size: Medium sized. Shape: ?. Color when ripe: Green. When ripe: Sep-Oct. Taste: Tastes very good, high oil content. NOTES: Thin skinned. Limited availability. Available in Oroville, CA from the Chaffin Family Orchards. Also available from Golden Gate Palms & Nursery in Lafayette, CA (contact Gary Gragg). One curious thing about the DUKE: It can be grown from seed, and all the trees grow true to type (according to Gary Gragg). If you can obtain some seeds, you will be able to grow them anywhere (According to Gary Gragg). Type: A.

SEVEN: ARAVAIPA (AKA: “DON JUAN” or “ARIZONA”). Cold hardiness: to about 15°F (-9.5°C). Size: Medium sized. Shape: ?. Color when ripe: Green. When ripe: ?. Taste: ?. Type: ?.

PART II: WHAT STRATEGIES CAN I USE TO HELP AN AVOCADO TREE SURVIVE A COLD SNAP DURING THE WINTER?

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Wrap a string of outdoor Christmas lights around the trunk, during a bad cold spell. You can even wrap some cardboard around the trunk first. This should save the trunk for a few more degrees. The following video gives an excellent explanation of one way in which you can give your Avocado tree an extra 10°F–15°F (5°C–7°C) of protection during a cold night.

This is an excellent explanation of one way to use Christmas lights to protect your tree from extreme cold.

CLOTH COVERS: Place a cloth or a sheet over your Avocado tree (it works like a small tent). This will keep the temperature around the tree a little bit warmer than the surrounding air. For a bigger tree, you use a bigger cloth. The following video demonstrates how this works:

This video shows how a cloth can protect your Avocado tree from extreme cold temperatures.

OTHER THINGS TO WARM UP A TREE THAT HAS A CLOTH COVER ON IT: 1. Put a Heating Mat under the cloth cover. (BEWARE of electrical shock if it gets wet)

PLANT THE TREE NEAR A WARM WALL: In this video, The Millenial Gardener explains how/why he planted his Lila Avocado tree next to a brick wall to create a warmer micro-climate.

This man plants a dwarf Avocado tree near a brick wall to help keep it warm during the cold weather.

PLASTIC SHEET PROTECTION WITH A CLOTH TOP (FOR THE HOLE AT THE TOP). This looks pretty good, too. But how will it work with an Avocado tree? I may try this sometime and report back to you. I like the idea of a HALOGEN SHOP LIGHT instead of Christmas lights (see 9:35 to 11:15) for adding extra warmth during extreme cold snaps. Don’t forget to take the cloth off the top during the day, and to put back on in the evening (unless the daytime temperature is also way too cold). Air circulation is important.

Plastic sheet around 4 posts. With a hole at the top for air to circulate during the day. A Halogen Shop Lamp can be used to add extra heat during the very cold nights.

PUT PADDING AROUND THE TRUNK (And maybe major branches): Just like a blanket: Padding insulates.

OTHER STRATEGIES: