Persea americana 'Day' (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 '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.