Avocados can grow in Texas, but success depends on selecting the right variety and implementing protective measures. Texas encompasses a wide range of climates, presenting significant hurdles for this subtropical fruit tree. A successful harvest requires understanding and mitigating these climate limitations.
The Primary Climate Challenge: Freezing Temperatures
The greatest threat to cultivating avocados in Texas is freezing temperatures. Avocados are tropical plants, and most varieties suffer damage or death when temperatures fall below freezing for extended periods. Commercial production is largely confined to the southernmost regions.
Damage severity depends on the duration of the cold event and the specific avocado race. West Indian types cannot tolerate temperatures below 32°F. Guatemalan types are slightly hardier, tolerating brief dips between 26°F and 30°F. Freeze injury can range from the loss of leaves and young shoots to the complete death of the entire tree.
Mexican avocados are the most cold-tolerant, with mature trees withstanding temperatures as low as 19°F to 20°F, and some hardy varieties surviving brief exposure to 15°F. Young trees are especially vulnerable, with damage starting at 32°F, making winter protection mandatory during the first few years of establishment.
Selecting the Right Variety and Region
Overcoming the cold challenge requires focusing on resilient varieties, primarily those belonging to the Mexican race. This race is adapted to cooler, higher-elevation climates and is distinguished by its thin-skinned, high-oil-content fruit. The hardiest varieties, such as ‘Joey,’ ‘Mexicola Grande,’ and ‘Fantastic,’ are the most appropriate choices for Texas growers.
‘Fantastic’ is noted for its cold hardiness, capable of surviving short periods at 15°F. Other successful cold-hardy types include ‘Wilma’ and ‘Opal,’ which originated in Texas outside the traditional tropical zone.
The most favorable region for growing avocados outdoors is the Lower Rio Grande Valley, which has a naturally subtropical climate and mildest winters. For growers outside this area, success depends on finding a sheltered microclimate. Planting on the south or southeast side of a structure provides a windbreak and takes advantage of stored heat.
Essential Care and Cold Protection Strategies
Soil and Watering
Avocados require specific cultural conditions to thrive in Texas, beginning with proper soil management. They are highly intolerant of “wet feet,” meaning the soil must drain exceptionally well to prevent root rot, a common cause of failure in the state’s native clay soils. It is recommended to plant the tree on a raised mound of soil, at least a foot high, to ensure adequate drainage.
The trees appreciate a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. Regular watering is necessary, especially for young trees, but the soil should be kept moist, never waterlogged. Fertilization should be applied monthly from spring through early fall, avoiding the blooming period.
Ground Planting Protection
Active cold mitigation is necessary for young trees and recommended for all avocados outside the warmest Texas zones. For trees planted in the ground, a common strategy is to deep-plant the tree and mound soil around the trunk, ensuring the graft union is below ground. If a severe freeze kills the top of the tree, the desirable grafted wood can regenerate from below the soil line.
Temporary Freeze Measures
During a predicted freeze, temporary measures are employed. These include draping the tree with a frost cloth or blanket, which helps trap radiating heat. Heating sources, like outdoor incandescent lights or portable heaters, can be placed beneath the cover to provide a few degrees of warmth. For many Texans, the most reliable strategy is container growing, allowing the cold-hardy trees to be moved into a garage or greenhouse when temperatures drop below freezing.