How Much Coldness Can Avocado Trees Take?

Semi-tropical avocado trees can sustain severe damage during freezing weather.


Avocado trees' (Persea sp.) native distribution is southern Mexico, according to the California Rare Fruit Growers, and they do not do well in very cold temperatures. Even an overnight cold snap can harm your trees, especially if they are unprotected or very young. You can avoid frost damage by selecting the most cold-hardy varieties of avocado and growing them in a space that is protected from cold winter winds.

Types and Hardiness

There are three main types of avocados, named for their places of origin: Mexican avocados (Persea americana var. drymifolia), West Indian (Persea americana var. americana) and Guatemalan avocados (Persea nubigena var. guatemalensis). The U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones for avocado varieties are 8 through 11, if you have a protected place in your garden.

Cold Tolerance

The cold tolerance of avocados depends on the variety. If you experience regular, light freezes every year, Mexican avocados are your best option because varieties like "Bacon," "Mexicola" and "Topa Topa" can survive temperatures down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. If you rarely have freezing weather, you might be able to grow a Guatemalan variety like "MacArthur," "Rincon" or "Nabal," which can withstand temperatures down to 29 F. Less-hardy Guatemalan avocados like "Anaheim," "Carlsbad" or "Hellen," can be damaged when temperatures drop below 30 F. If you never have freezing weather, you might be able to grow especially tender West Indies avocado varieties, like "Pollack," which can be damaged by temperatures at freezing or below.

Cold Protection

If cold weather that could potentially damage your avocados is forecast, plan ahead to prevent cold damage. For young, small avocado trees, support a heavy blanket from a frame around the tree. If you have an older tree, incandescent outdoor Christmas lights can help to keep the tree warm. Before a freeze, the California Rare Fruit Growers recommends that you harvest any fruit that remains on the tree to prevent it from being ruined.

Cold Damage Recovery

After a freeze, you might be able to salvage your avocado tree. The blooms that fell off from the cold will usually grow back, according to the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Adequate watering throughout the cold weather season will help to minimize the drying effects of frost. If more freezing weather is predicted for the next few weeks, do not prune off freeze-damaged limbs. Once all chance of sub-freezing temperatures has passed, prune off the dead material.

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