What Are the Different Varieties of Avocado Plants to Choose From? - Plant Care Guide

Avocado plants are prized for producing creamy, nutrient-rich fruit that has taken the culinary world by storm. Native to Central and South America, these trees now grow in warm climates around the globe, with a wide variety of cultivars available to suit different tastes, climates, and growing preferences. Each avocado variety offers unique characteristics in terms of flavor, texture, and harvest season.

In this guide, we will explore the most popular types of avocado plants and what makes each variety special. Understanding the differences can help you choose the best option for your home garden, orchard, or farm. Whether you're looking for a high-yielding plant, a particular flavor profile, or an avocado that thrives in your climate, there’s an ideal variety waiting for you.

1. Hass Avocado

The Hass avocado is undoubtedly the most famous variety, recognized for its rich, buttery flavor and creamy texture. Originally developed in California, this cultivar has become a worldwide favorite, making up the majority of avocados found in supermarkets.

Hass avocados have a pebbly, dark green to black skin that becomes darker as it ripens. The flesh is smooth, creamy, and ideal for making guacamole or adding to salads. They are known for their excellent shelf life and high oil content, which enhances the flavor.

Hass avocado trees are particularly hardy and adaptable, thriving in various climates, though they perform best in areas with mild winters. If you're looking to grow a Hass avocado tree, it’s an excellent choice for reliable fruit production and superb taste.

2. Fuerte Avocado

The Fuerte avocado is a popular choice among gardeners for its versatility and cold tolerance. It’s one of the few avocado varieties that can thrive in slightly cooler climates, making it suitable for growers in more temperate regions. Fuerte avocados have smooth, green skin that remains green even when ripe.

Known for its creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor, the Fuerte avocado is perfect for slicing and adding to sandwiches or salads. It has a lower oil content than Hass but is still rich and delicious. This variety is a Type B avocado, meaning it can improve pollination when grown alongside a Type A avocado, such as Hass.

Consider planting a Fuerte avocado tree if you live in a cooler climate and want a high-quality fruit with a subtle, nutty flavor.

3. Lamb Hass Avocado

The Lamb Hass avocado is a newer cultivar developed to combine the rich taste of the traditional Hass with a more compact, manageable growth habit. Lamb Hass trees produce fruit with similar characteristics to Hass, including the signature pebbly skin and creamy texture, but the fruit tends to be larger in size.

One of the notable benefits of Lamb Hass avocados is their extended harvest season, typically from spring through fall, which provides a longer period for enjoying fresh avocados. Lamb Hass avocado trees are also more compact, making them an excellent choice for smaller yards or container growing.

If you’re looking for a reliable, compact tree with delicious fruit, a Lamb Hass avocado tree may be perfect for your garden.

4. Reed Avocado

The Reed avocado is known for its round shape and smooth, green skin that stays green when ripe. Unlike other avocados, Reed has a thick, durable skin, which makes it easy to handle and transport. Reed avocados are large, and their flesh is creamy and slightly nutty, with a buttery texture ideal for spreading or blending.

This variety has a longer harvest season, often from late summer into fall, which means you can enjoy fresh avocados when other varieties may not be available. Reed avocado trees are medium-sized, making them suitable for most gardens, and they are typically low maintenance.

To enjoy rich, nutty avocados with a unique round shape, consider growing a Reed avocado tree in your backyard.

5. Pinkerton Avocado

The Pinkerton avocado is valued for its long, pear-shaped fruit and high productivity. This variety is known for producing high yields of high-quality fruit even on young trees. Pinkerton avocados have a thick, pebbly skin that darkens as it ripens, similar to Hass.

The fruit itself has a creamy, smooth texture with a slightly rich, nutty flavor, and the seed is relatively small, offering more edible flesh. Pinkerton avocados are an excellent choice for salads and avocado toast due to their firm yet creamy texture.

If you’re after a high-yielding tree with rich, delicious avocados, try planting a Pinkerton avocado tree.

6. Bacon Avocado

The Bacon avocado is another variety that is well-suited for cooler climates, making it an excellent option for gardeners in regions with mild to moderate winters. This variety has a smooth, green skin that remains green when ripe, and the flesh has a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Bacon avocados are medium-sized and have a lower oil content than Hass, which gives them a lighter, more refreshing taste. The tree itself is vigorous and produces a reliable crop, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

For those seeking a cold-hardy avocado with a light, refreshing flavor, a Bacon avocado tree is a great addition to the garden.

7. Zutano Avocado

The Zutano avocado is distinguished by its pear shape and shiny, thin green skin. This variety is another cold-tolerant option, making it a popular choice in regions with cooler temperatures. Zutano avocados have a mild, light flavor and a slightly lower oil content than other varieties.

This variety is excellent for slicing and adding to dishes where a lighter flavor is desired. The tree is hardy and grows vigorously, producing abundant crops that ripen in late fall and early winter, extending the avocado season.

To enjoy a refreshing avocado with a unique look, consider growing a Zutano avocado tree in your orchard or garden.

8. Gwen Avocado

The Gwen avocado is another compact variety developed from Hass, and it shares many of the same characteristics, including the rich, creamy taste and high oil content. Gwen avocados are typically larger than Hass, with a thicker skin that remains green when ripe.

Gwen avocados are known for their smooth, creamy texture and excellent flavor, making them perfect for guacamole and dips. The tree is relatively compact and high-yielding, which makes it a great choice for smaller spaces or container growing.

For those who love Hass but want a slightly larger fruit with a similar taste, consider planting a Gwen avocado tree.

9. Holiday Avocado

The Holiday avocado is aptly named, as it is often ready for harvest around the winter holidays. This unique variety produces large, round fruit with smooth, green skin that stays green when ripe. The flesh has a rich, nutty flavor, similar to Hass, and is known for its creamy texture.

Holiday avocado trees are relatively compact, making them suitable for small gardens and container growing. They are high-yielding and typically bear fruit every other year, with fruit that ripens in late fall or early winter.

If you’re looking for a compact, winter-bearing variety, try adding a Holiday avocado tree to your garden.

10. Sharwil Avocado

The Sharwil avocado is an Australian variety known for its excellent flavor and high oil content. It produces medium-sized, pear-shaped fruit with a smooth, green skin. The flesh is rich, nutty, and buttery, making it a favorite among avocado enthusiasts.

Sharwil avocados are best suited for warmer climates, as they are not as cold-hardy as some other varieties. The trees are highly productive and typically bear fruit in the spring and summer months.

For avocado lovers in warmer regions, the Sharwil avocado tree is a top choice for flavorful, creamy fruit.

11. Wurtz Avocado (Little Cado)

The Wurtz avocado, also known as Little Cado, is a dwarf variety that is ideal for container growing or small spaces. Wurtz trees are compact, reaching only about 8-10 feet in height, yet they produce full-sized avocados with a deliciously rich flavor.

Wurtz avocados have a smooth, green skin and are perfect for growing indoors or on patios. This variety typically produces fruit in the late spring to early summer and is suitable for gardeners who have limited space.

If you’re looking for a smaller avocado tree that still produces excellent fruit, the Wurtz avocado tree is a perfect choice.

12. Mexicola Avocado

The Mexicola avocado is known for its thin, black skin and high cold tolerance. This variety is often grown in areas with cooler climates where other avocados might not thrive. The fruit is small to medium-sized and has a mild, slightly sweet flavor.

Mexicola avocados are unique because the skin is so thin it can be eaten along with the flesh, making them great for salads and fresh eating. The tree is highly productive and produces fruit from late summer into fall.

For a cold-tolerant avocado with a unique look and edible skin, consider the Mexicola avocado tree for your garden.

With so many options available, selecting the right avocado variety can depend on factors such as climate, space, and flavor preference. Whether you're drawn to the rich, nutty taste of the Hass, the cold-hardiness of Bacon, or the compact convenience of Wurtz, there’s an avocado plant to suit every garden. To learn more about the versatile uses of avocados and how they enhance both culinary and nutritional experiences, visit our guide on more than just dip: the versatility of avocados for inspiring ideas.