Hass Avocado Tree

Hass Avocado (Persea americana 'Hass') is the variety behind the avocado most Australians eat, and it grows well at home in the right climate. Kept pruned to about 6m tall and 4.5m wide, it is a handsome evergreen. Because our trees are grafted, fruit arrives years sooner than from a seedling.

Why you'll love it

• The fruit everyone wants. Rich, nutty, creamy fleshed Hass, picked from the backyard instead of priced by the each at the shops.
• Fruit within a few years. Crops start early for a fruit tree and build as the canopy grows.
• A working shade tree. The dense evergreen canopy earns its space before the first harvest.
• Flowers that feed the bees. Masses of small green flowers in season keep pollinators busy.

Where it works best

The backyard orchard. Give it the sunniest spot you have with room for a 4.5m spread, clear of paving and washing lines; a fruiting canopy drops the odd avocado.

As a feature and shade tree. Where a garden has room for only one big evergreen, an avocado repays the space twice.

Growing Hass Avocado in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun in a subtropical, warm temperate or Mediterranean garden. Established trees take light frost only, so protect young trees for their first two or three winters and skip this variety in cold inland districts.

Soil. This is the make or break factor. Avocados need deep, free draining soil; waterlogged roots kill more home trees than anything else. On clay, plant into a mound raised 300mm to 400mm above grade, never in a hollow where water sits.

Water and feed. Steady moisture through flowering and fruit set, but never soggy. Mulch 75mm to 100mm deep to protect the shallow feeder roots, clear of the trunk. Feed with a fruit tree fertiliser in spring and again in late summer.

Pruning. Tip prune young trees to build a bushy frame, then prune after harvest to hold it at a height you can pick. About 6m is a practical ceiling; left alone it goes well past that.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Hass as a young grafted tree in a 5L pot, the size that establishes fastest and travels best. Stake it for the first season while the roots take hold. Plant in spring or early autumn and expect a quiet first month.

Trees are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every tree is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Compare all our avocado varieties
• Shepard Avocado, the classic pollination partner
• Browse the full fruit tree range

Common questions

Do I need two trees to get fruit?

Not strictly. Hass is an A type variety and a lone tree in a warm garden still sets usable fruit, though crops improve with a B type partner such as Shepard nearby.

How long until I pick an avocado?

Grafted trees like ours typically fruit within three to five years of planting. The first crops are light; a tree hits its stride once the canopy has some size.

Is it safe around pets?

No. Avocado leaves and fruit are toxic to dogs, cats, horses and birds, so keep dropped fruit picked up and site the tree away from stock. It is a tree for households that can manage that.

When do I pick the fruit?

Avocados do not ripen on the tree. Pick when the fruit is full sized and the skin dulls, then ripen indoors for several days. Fruit holds on the tree for weeks, which spreads the harvest out.