Persea americana Play pronunciation

Avacado is a broadleaf evergreen, flowering, tropical tree in the laurel family native to Central America. At maturity, a tree in the wild has a dense and irregular crown and can reach a height of 60 feet with a 30 foot spread. But commercially grown trees are often shorter. It has large green leaves and greenish-yellow flowers that produce large, rich, fatty, edible fruits. The single seed produced within the fruit is large and often used to grow an avacado houseplant.The genus name comes from the Greek for an Egyptian tree. The species name means of the Americas.

Avacado trees do best in organically rich, evenly moist, well-drained soils sited in full sun. They do tolerate some light shade, but flowering and fruit production are best in warm and sunny conditions. It will not, however, tolerate frost.

The tree is typically grown commercially for its fruit by means of grafting or planted rootstock. It can also be grown as a houseplant, especially in less favorable climates, from seed sprouted in water or sown directly in soil. Seeds used for growing an avacado as a houseplant germinate quickly and easily (whether or not supported by crossed toothpicks over a glass of water). When the seed splits and roots appear (2 to 6 weeks), transplant to a pot with plotting soil, place in a sunny window, and fertilize regularly in spring and summer. Keep in mind that an avacado grown as a houseplant, while attractive, will not produce fruit.

There are three common varieties of commercial avacado trees. Mexican avacado is hardy with the highest oil content. Guatemalan is less hardy and with medium oil content. West Indian is completely tropical and has the lowest oil content.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

Laurel wilt currently threatens commercially grown avacados. Trees often die within 4 to 8 weeks of infection. Houseplants can develop root rot if the soil is too wet.