Consulta Plantas

Care of the tree Persea americana or Avocado

The genus Persea, family Lauraceae, includes about 100 species of evergreen trees native to tropical regions of America, Asia and Macaronesia. Some species are: Persea americana, Persea schiedeana, Persea barbujana, Persea indica, Persea lingue, Persea japonica, Persea edulis, Persea caerulea.

Common name: Avocado. This species is native to Central America.

They are evergreen trees that can exceed 12 meters (39.37 feet) in height. The large leaves, up to 20 cm (7.87") long, are elliptical and bright green with marked nerves. The small whitish flowers have no ornamental interest. The prized edible fruit is called avocado pear or alligator pear. They produce fruits from the third year of life.

They are used as isolated specimens or in small groups in gardens of frost-free tropical climates and in pots as indoor and greenhouse plants; in spring and summer they can be placed outside.

The Persea americana needs full sun or semi-shade exposure and a warm climate. It does not resist temperatures below 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil can be normal, well-drained garden soil containing plenty of organic matter, although they can grow in sandy, limestone, volcanic, and clay soils.

Water regularly waiting for the substrate to dry on the surface; never flood. Increase watering in summer. They resist a few days of drought.

Fertilize with compost or manure at the end of winter.

They do not need pruning.

They are quite resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to cold.

They propagate from the "bone" of the fruit; remove the outer skin of the bone and place with the pointed end up in a container with water so that it only covers part of the seed. Locate away from direct light for a month. The water level must always be the same. After this time the bone cracks and the root and a shoot emerge. When it measures 3 cm (1.18"), it is transplanted into a pot with a well-drained substrate rich in organic matter. Place it in the shade and keep the substrate moist. When it measures 10 cm (3.93"), place it in a warm and sunny place.

Images of the tree Persea americana or Avocado