Persea americana 'Day' (Avocado)

The avocado is a dense, evergreen tree. It is fast growing and can with age reach 80 feet, although usually less, and generally branches to form a broad tree. Some cultivars are columnar, others selected for nearly prostrate form. Growth is in frequent flushes during warm weather in southern regions with only one long flush per year in cooler areas. Grafted plants normally produce fruit within one to two years compared to 8 - 20 years for seedlings. West Indian type avocados produce smooth round, glossy green fruits that are low in oil and weigh up to 2 pounds. Guatemalan types produce medium ovoid or pear-shaped, pebbled green fruits that turn blackish-green when ripe. The fruit of Mexican varieties are small (6 - 10 ounces) with paper-thin skins that turn glossy green or black when ripe. The flesh of avocados is deep green near the skin, becoming yellowish nearer the single large, inedible ovoid seed. The flesh is hard when harvested but softens to a buttery texture.

The Avocado fruit is an important food in South America and is nutritious with high levels of mainly unsaturated oils, minerals, vitamins and reasonable levels of protein. Clinical studies have shown that avocado oil can reduce blood cholesterol.

Avocado trees produce thousands of flowers and only about one in 5000 sets fruit.

The Avocado is remarkable in its ability to thrive under a broad range of environmental conditions. It needs water and no frost and prefers good drainage, sun, and dry air.

See more about avocado:
Avocado varieties chart.
Avocado variety guide: Snack or Guacamole?
Growing avocadoes in Florida
The Magic of the Avocado

Persea americana 'Day', commonly known as Day avocado, is a cold-hardy selection of the traditional avocado native to Central America. This evergreen fruit tree features a relatively compact, upright growth habit, typically reaching 10 to 15 feet in height in a garden setting, making it suitable for smaller spaces and container cultivation. The plant produces dense, dark green foliage and bears medium-sized, green, club-shaped fruits with smooth skin. The high-quality flesh is rich, buttery, and fiberless, making it highly valued by residential growers for its productive potential and visual appeal.

This fruiting tree requires full sun exposure and rich, loose, exceptionally well-drained soil to thrive. Provide regular watering during the active growing season, and apply a balanced tropical fruit fertilizer from early spring through late summer to encourage optimal flowering and fruit set. This cultivar is notable for its exceptional cold tolerance, withstanding brief temperature drops down to 22 degrees Fahrenheit without significant damage, though winter protection is necessary in USDA zones below 9. It blooms reliably and is known to bear fruit even on young plants at a small size.