Anybody growing avocado trees in ground in 9a or 8b?

[Ben G.]

I am a transplant to the San Antonio TX area suburbs. I got here about a year ago, and I have since planted several palms, loquat trees, feijoas, satsuma, pomegranate, figs, jujube, and a peach tree. 

I bought a fantastic variety avocado tree last year, but I planted it pretty late, when the weather was already hot and dry. It slowly deteriorated and died over the summer.

I have since done more reading and found that avocados are reportedly prone to both root rot (if over watered) or sun burn when young. Ideally I would want to plant one close to the SE wall of my house to offer good winter shelter, but that will also mean it will be in a hot spot while it gets established over its first two or three years in ground.

Is there anyone else here who can give advice about how feasible it is to grow avocados in a 9a climate? And if so how you kept them from rotting or burning while young?

The only varieties I have really considered are fantastic or lila. I read that fantastic may be slightly more cold tolerant, but it isn't a semi-dwarf like Lila. So, I worry a little about having the roots too close to the foundation of my house. Though I would plan on pruning a fantastic to keep it in the 10 to 15 ft of height and spread range, I don't know how much that keeps roots from growing though.

[bubba]

https://floridafruitgeek.com/cold-hardy-avocados/

[Ben G.]

2 hours ago, bubba said:

https://floridafruitgeek.com/cold-hardy-avocados/

Thanks for pointing me in a good direction. It sounds like I definitely didn't give my tree enough protection from sun last year.

I had to provide protection for young pawpaw trees I grew in Oklahoma previously. So, I will probably have to treat a young avocado the same.

[amh]

Here is a thread featuring a multi-grafted avocado in north texas.

 

The 'Pryor' avocado is supposed to be the most cold hardy variety, and depending on who you believe is the same as 'Fantastic'. I have a Joey and Lila growing in pots, which I intend to use for air layering. 

From what I have learned, the root stock being used for avocados is not very cold hardy.

 

[Chester B]

I have an Avocado in a pot.  I'd have to check the tag for the variety.  What I was told when I bought it was to protect it from the sun and when the bark has all turned brown that's when it is capable of handling stronger sun.  Last year it was against the north side of my house so got shade in the afternoon and evening, and it really struggled.  This year I put it under my large gazebo where it only gets an hour or two of direct sunlight and it is looking much better.  It actually has grown a lot of big leaves, whereas last year there were a few small ones that some insects ate.

[Manalto]

An avocado seedling i grew was a dieback perennial here in Mobile (no protection) for years until I finally tossed it.

[bubba]

Get a cold hardy variety and go for it again!

[bubba]

Del rio variety came back after 7 degrees F.!

[KsLouisiana]

On 4/27/2025 at 10:32 AM, Ben G. said:

The only varieties I have really considered are fantastic or lila. I read that fantastic may be slightly more cold tolerant, but it isn't a semi-dwarf like Lila. So, I worry a little about having the roots too close to the foundation of my house. Though I would plan on pruning a fantastic to keep it in the 10 to 15 ft of height and spread range, I don't know how much that keeps roots from growing though.

Hey there! So I have a Lila avocado tree that has been in the ground for about 3 years. Full of flowers this year so I'm hoping to get some fruit this year. Haven't had any stay on the tree yet. It was seen 23° with no protection and just a few burned leaves on the tips. I bought a "joey" avocado today so im hoping they help each other with the pollination. I didn't know these things were that tough! Did you ever get another?

[Ben G.]

@KsLouisiana I am glad your Lila is doing well. I hope that the addition of the Joey will give you good cross pollination.

I may try another avocado this year, as I know a good local nursery that seems to have good cold hardy varieties on hand most of the time. If I do buy another though. I am going to keep it in a pot for at least a year to put size on it before I turn it loose in the full sum again.

[KsLouisiana]

4 hours ago, Ben G. said:

@KsLouisiana I am glad your Lila is doing well. I hope that the addition of the Joey will give you good cross pollination.

I may try another avocado this year, as I know a good local nursery that seems to have good cold hardy varieties on hand most of the time. If I do buy another though. I am going to keep it in a pot for at least a year to put size on it before I turn it loose in the full sum again.

Thanks! Yeah I would definitely say it's a good choice for our area. I have been protecting some sensitive citrus fir the last few years and I'm thinking about quitting that. Maybe just satsumas and Avocados from here on out. And maybe a grapefruit tree.  

[Chester B]

16 hours ago, Ben G. said:

@KsLouisiana I am glad your Lila is doing well. I hope that the addition of the Joey will give you good cross pollination.

I may try another avocado this year, as I know a good local nursery that seems to have good cold hardy varieties on hand most of the time. If I do buy another though. I am going to keep it in a pot for at least a year to put size on it before I turn it loose in the full sum again.

I'm on year 3 in the pot with mine and the majority of the trunk is still green.  These don't seem to be all that fast growing in a pot, so If you get another I expect it will take a few years to go in the ground.