Many types of avocados can grow well within Australia. Each variety grows best in particular climates, so it is important to select the right variety for your growing area. Unless you have heavy frosts, there is an avocado variety that will suit your climate.
Read below for a summary of the different avocado types available in Australia.
Hass (A)
Hass avocados are the most common variety that is grown commercially and are regularly found in supermarkets. They prefer a subtropical climate but can tolerate growing in the warm temperate zone. Hass avocados are medium-sized, pear-shaped fruit. The fruit starts out green but turns purple/black when ripe and has creamy flesh. Although they are excellent to grow commercially, Hass avocado trees can grow large in ideal conditions (>12 metres) and ideally require at least 4 metres of well-draining soil which can be problematic for backyard growers. Hass avocado trees bear fruit over a long period, from August through to December.
Shepard (B)
Shepard avocados are a subtropical variety that grows to 10 m in ideal conditions. They have small-medium-sized green fruit, with a golden buttery flavour. Shepard avocados don’t brown when cut and stored in the fridge. The Shepard avocado tree is smaller than some avocado varieties and has a spreading habit. Shepard avocados are an early-season variety and are harvested from February through to March.
Reed (A)
Reed avocados are another subtropical variety. They have large, spherical fruit with smooth green skin. Reed avocados have a very good, nutty, creamy flavour and are considered one of the best-tasting avocados. They store well once cut. Reed avocado trees have an upright growth habit and fruit must be picked late in the season. This variety is more susceptible to disease than some varieties. Fruits are harvested from August through to February.
Wurtz (dwarf) (A)
The Wurtz is a great variety for backyard growers in the subtropics or warm temperate zones. Wurtz avocado trees reach 5 m in height and have a dense canopy. It is a mid-late season variety, producing medium-sized, rich high-quality fruit from August through to October. The fruit is pear-shaped with dark green skin. Wurtz avocados can be grown in large pots and containers.
Bacon (B)
The Bacon avocado is regarded as the most cold-tolerant variety, tolerating temperatures down to -8 ° C, although it does require care during the winter months. Bacon avocados are pear-shaped with medium quality. They are productive trees and one of the fastest varieties to bear fruit, usually 2-3 years. Bacon avocados can be grown in large pots and the fruit is harvested from March through to May.
Edranol (B)
Edranol avocados prefer a subtropical or warm temperate climate, particularly in coastal areas where fruits can avoid sunburn. They have large fruit with buttery, yellow creamy flesh. Edranol avocados have a rough exterior, with dark skin and bright green bumps. The trees grow to 10 metres and fruits are harvested from July through to October.
Fuerte (B)
The Fuerte avocado grows best in subtropical or warm temperate climates. They bear small to medium-sized, pear-shaped fruit. Fuerte avocados have a yellow, buttery texture with excellent flavour. Trees bear fruit biennially and are harvested from April through to June. Fuerte avocado trees grow to 10 m.
Sharwill (B)
Sharwill avocados prefer a subtropical climate and are sensitive to frost. They produce medium-sized fruit that has a rich flavour, with good oil content and a small seed. Sharwill avocados grow well in northern NSW and Qld, with approximately 20% of the avocadoes grown in NSW are of the Sharwill variety. The trees grow to 10 metres and fruits are harvested from June through to August.
Lamb Hass (A)
The Lamb Hass is a subtropical variety with larger and rounder than most varieties. Similar to the Hass, the skin darkens as the fruit ripens. The flesh of Lamb Hass avocados is pale green with a nutty and creamy taste. Lamb Hass avocado trees are smaller than Hass avocado trees, growing to about 5 metres. They are biennial bearing and fruit is harvested from January through to December.
Pinkerton (dwarf) (A)
The Pinkerton is a great variety for backyard growers in the subtropics or warm temperate zones. They are adaptable and can set fruit over a wide range of climatic conditions. The fruits are green with smooth flesh and have a good flavour with high oil content. During the fruiting season, the fruit changes shape from more oval earlier in the season to more pear-shaped later in the season. Pinkerton avocados can tolerate some frost and consistently bears heavy crops. The fruit is ready for harvest from June through to August.
Secondo (A)
Secondo avocados are an excellent backyard variety within subtropical climates. The fruit has smooth, creamy flesh with excellent flavour. Secondo avocados commence fruiting in its second year and are self-pollinating. Trees grow to 10 metres and the fruits can be harvested from July through to December.
Rincon (A)
The Rincon is a great variety for backyard growers in the subtropics or warm temperate zones. This variety is known to be one of the smallest of all the dwarf avocado varieties, growing to 2.5 metres and can be grown in large pots. Rincon avocados are harvested from September through to December.
Hazzard (A)
The Hazzard is a great variety for backyard growers in the tropics or warm temperate zones. They produce excellent quality fruit with a creamy texture, and fruits regularly. The skin remains green when ripe. Hazzard avocado trees grow to 10 metres and can be grown in large pots. The fruits are harvested from September through to December.