Persea americana 'Fuerte' (Avocado)

Persea americana, the avocado, is an evergreen fruit tree native to southern Mexico and Central America, cultivated for thousands of years and now grown throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Belonging to the laurel family, it develops into a medium to large tree with a dense canopy of glossy green leaves, reaching 20 to 60 feet depending on climate and rootstock, and remaining productive for decades.
Fruits vary widely in size, shape, skin texture, and color - from smooth green to rough dark-purple - depending on the cultivar. The flesh is rich in healthy oils and prized for its smooth buttery texture. The species is also notable for its unusual flowering biology, with flowers opening in two phases that promote cross-pollination between complementary types.
Cultivars derived from Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian genetic backgrounds show considerable variation in fruit quality, harvest season, and cold tolerance. The hardiest Mexican-type selections may survive temperatures near 20F when mature, while many West Indian types sustain damage below 30F. Avocado grows best in full sun with well-drained soil and regular moisture; it is sensitive to prolonged waterlogging. Generally suited to USDA Zones 9b-11. See more about avocado:
Avocado varieties chart.
Avocado variety guide: Snack or Guacamole?
Growing avocadoes in Florida
The Magic of the Avocado

Persea americana 'Fuerte' is a historically significant Mexican-Guatemalan hybrid avocado cultivar, one of the first widely successful commercial varieties in California. Its name - Spanish for "strong" - refers to its ability to survive cold events that damaged many other seedlings.

The fruit is pear-shaped with smooth medium-green skin that remains green at maturity. The flesh is pale green to yellowish, buttery, and rich-flavored with high oil content, and is widely regarded as having particularly fine eating quality among avocado cultivars.

The tree is evergreen and moderately vigorous, though bearing can become somewhat irregular in certain climates. 'Fuerte' tolerates cool subtropical conditions better than West Indian types; mature trees may withstand brief drops into the mid-20F. It grows best in full sun with excellent drainage and moderate consistent moisture, and is generally suited to USDA Zones 9-11.