Did you know there are over 500 varieties of avocado around the world?
Yes — that many! And the number keeps growing, with new cultivars being developed all the time.
But no matter the variety, the avocados we enjoy today came from three main groups: Mexican, Guatemalan, and West Indian.
These were crossbred over decades, creating avocados with different flavours, textures, and sizes (both the fruit and the tree).
In Australia, the most popular varieties of avocado are Hass and Shepard, but there are plenty more you can grow.
Popular Avocado Varieties | Type A Avocados | Type B Avocados | Dwarf Avocados | Best Avocados to Pair
Which Avocado Variety Should You Grow?
Luckily for us, avocado trees thrive in most parts of Australia!
To grow an avocado tree successfully, plant it in well-draining soil and choose a spot that gets direct sunlight for 6–8 hours daily.
But which avocado variety should you plant? Here’s what to consider:
CLIMATE: Avocados are tropical trees, so they love warm climates. However, some varieties can also tolerate cooler climates.
FRUIT QUALITY: Different avocado varieties have diverse flavours, textures, and sizes. Also, think about the potential yield and harvest season.
POLLINATION: You need to plant at least two trees — one Type A and one Type B — to help your avocado tree bear more fruit.
TREE SIZE: Avocado trees come in various shapes and sizes. Choose a variety that fits your space, or opt for a dwarf variety for a more compact option.
Here’s a chart of some popular avocado tree varieties in Australia to help you compare:
| AVOCADO VARIETY | TYPE | TREE SIZE | IDEAL CLIMATE | HARVEST SEASON |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacon | B | 4–6m tall, 3–5m wide | Warm to cool (down to −5°C) | June to July |
| Edranol | B | 4–8m tall, 3–4m wide | Warm to cool (down to −2°C) | May to August |
| Fuerte | B | 8–10m tall, 3–6m wide | Warm to cool (down to −3°C) | June to October |
| Gem | A | 3–8m tall, 3m wide | Warm, tropical climates | September to November |
| Hass | A | 5–6m tall, 2–3m wide | Warm to cool (down to −3°C) | May to January |
| Lamb Hass | A | 4–6m tall, 2–3m wide | Warm, tropical climates | June to July |
| Maluma | A | 5–6m tall, 2–3m wide | Warm, tropical climates | March to April |
| Pinkerton | A | 6–9m tall, 4–6m wide | Warm to cool (down to −2°C) | June to August |
| Reed | A | 6–10m tall, 4–6m wide | Warm to cool (down to −5°C) | November to March |
| Rincon | A | 2–3m tall and wide | Warm to cool (down to −1°C) | July to September |
| Sharwil | B | 5–10m tall, 2–4m wide | Warm to cool (down to −6°C) | March to August |
| Shepard | B | 6–8m tall, 5–6m wide | Warm and tropical climates | February to April |
| Wurtz | A | 3–4m tall, 2–3m wide | Warm to cool (down to −5°C) | August to December |
| Zutano | B | 10–12m tall, 5–6m wide | Warm to cool (down to −4°C) | June to September |
NOTE: Harvest seasons can differ based on the local climate and growing conditions.
Popular Avocado Varieties in Australia
So, what is the best avocado in Australia?
Everyone’s got their favourite, but most would agree that the Hass avocado is the best kind (even worldwide)!
Coming in second is the Shepard avocado, which is also quite popular among Aussies.
Hass avocado
Type: A
Tree size: 5–6m tall and 2–3m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −3°C)
Thanks to their adaptability to warm and cold climates, Hass avocados are grown in most parts of Australia.
They make up about 80% of the avocados produced in the country!
The Hass avocado fruit is oval to slightly pear-shaped and has a dark green, pebbly skin.
It also contains more fat than other varieties, creating its famous creamy texture and rich taste.
But flavour isn’t the only reason to grow a Hass avocado tree. It stands out for its long harvest season, from May to January.
After being picked, Hass avocados take a few days to ripen. They’re ready to eat when the skin turns purplish black and the flesh feels slightly soft when pressed.
Shepard avocado
Type: B
Tree size: 6-8m tall and 5-6m wide
Ideal climate: Warm and tropical climates
Australia is the only country that grows Shepard avocados commercially, with most of them coming from Queensland.
Shepard avocados make up about 10%–15% of the country’s avocados.
They’re known for having smooth green skin that stays green even when ripe — don’t wait for the fruits to darken!
The flesh is also firm and doesn’t get mushy, which is great for slicing and dicing.
Plus, a Shepard avocado turns brown slowly once opened, so it’s great for salads or as a garnish that needs to look fresh for longer.
You can harvest Shepard avocados from February to April, just as Hass avocados disappear from stores.
Type A Avocado Varieties
Type A avocados have flowers that are receptive to pollen (female phase) in the morning of the first day, then release pollen (male phase) in the afternoon of the second day.
Hass is the most well-known Type A avo, but there are other great options to grow!
Gem avocado
Tree size: 3–8m tall and 3m wide
Ideal climate: Warm, tropical climates
Gem avocados are a relatively new variety in Australia, usually harvested from September to November.
The fruit is similar to the popular Hass — some say that the taste is nearly indistinguishable!
However, what sets them apart is their size. Gem avocados are egg-shaped and larger, which means more of the tasty fruit!
Plus, they have a thicker skin than Hass, so they’re easier to handle and less prone to damage.
Lamb Hass avocado
Tree size: 4-6m tall and 2-3m wide
Ideal climate: Warm, tropical climates
Lamb Hass avocado trees have a slender, upright growth habit, as they were specifically bred for smaller spaces.
If you want to grow them indoors, you can keep the tree trimmed to around 2–3m tall.
You can also plant several Lamb Hass avocados in a row in your garden without taking up too much room.
Lamb Hass tends to bear fruit in clusters. When it’s in season, you’ll often see several avocados hanging close together.
The fruit is larger than the Hass avocado but tastes just as smooth and creamy. It’s usually harvested from June to July.
Maluma avocado
Tree size: 5–6m tall and 2–3m wide
Ideal climate: Warm, tropical climate
Maluma is another upright-growing avocado variety, which was created through unintentional breeding in South Africa.
It’s still quite new to Australia (introduced in 2007), where it’s currently grown in North QLD. However, it can thrive in the NT, too.
Maluma avocado fruits have a pear-like shape and a nutty flavour similar to Hass, though some say they’re even creamier.
One of the perks of Maluma avocados is that they’re bigger than Hass. They also have smaller pits, so you get more of the good stuff.
You can usually harvest Maluma avocados around March to April.
Pinkerton avocado
Tree size: 6-9m tall and 4-6m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −2°C)
Pinkerton avocados are known for their high yield, which makes them a popular choice among growers!
From June to August, Pinkerton avocados produce medium to large fruit, each weighing around 200–400g.
The fruit has a distinct elongated neck, with bumpy green skin and a small pit.
Many describe the taste as creamy and nutty, but not as rich as Hass.
Pinkertons can handle cooler climates fairly well, but prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can slow down fruit production.
Reed avocado
Tree size: 6–10m tall and 4–6m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −5°C)
The Reed avocado is often considered a gourmet variety because of its exceptional taste and smooth texture!
The fruits are usually harvested from November to March. They’re round with thick green skin and noticeably bigger than Hass.
They store well, too. You can put Reed avocados in the fridge once they’re almost or already ripe and they will last longer than other varieties!
The Reed avocado tree is considered cold-tolerant, able to handle temperatures down to −5°C.
The trees grow upright and are narrower than most avocado varieties.
Type B Avocado Varieties
Type B avocados have flowers that are receptive to pollen (female phase) in the afternoon of the first day, then release pollen (male phase) in the morning of the next day.
Below are some popular Type B avocado tree varieties in Australia.
Bacon avocado
Tree size: 4–6m tall and 3–5m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −5°C)
Despite the name, the Bacon avocado has nothing to do with bacon, the breakfast staple!
It was named after James Bacon, who cultivated the variety in California back in 1954.
Bacon avocado trees are eye-catching, with deep green foliage and upright growth. Some gardeners even use them for hedging and screening.
They’re also known for cold hardiness, making them suitable for cooler spots like Melbourne.
The fruit is egg-shaped and larger than Hass. If you look closely, you’ll see tiny yellow dots on the green skin.
When it comes to flavour, some say the Bacon avocado is too mild, but the flesh is smooth and creamy.
You can harvest Bacon avocados from June to July, and sometimes through August in cooler climates.
Edranol avocado
Tree size: 4-8m tall and 3-4m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −2°C)
Edranol is a widely grown avocado variety, especially in commercial farms in South Africa.
The Edranol avocado tree grows upright, tall, and slender. It thrives in slightly sandy soil, so it’s a great choice for coastal areas.
From May to August, it produces medium-sized, pear-shaped fruits with a slightly crooked neck near the stem.
The skin is dark green and the flavour is a standout — many growers love its rich taste!
Fuerte avocado
Tree size: 8–10m tall and 3–6m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −3°C)
If Shepard avocados are the second most popular variety in Australia, Fuerte avocados take the number two spot worldwide.
Known for their resilience, Fuerte avocado trees are quite cold-hardy and can handle short bursts of frost down to −3°C.
No wonder they’re called “Fuerte” — Spanish for “strong”!
The fruit is pear-shaped and medium-sized, with thin green skin that stays green even when ripe. It’s sweeter than Hass, but a little less creamy.
Fuerte avocados are typically in season from June to October, though timing can vary depending on your local climate.
Before harvesting, keep an eye on the stem — it’ll turn yellow when the fruit is ready to pick.
Sharwil avocado
Tree size: 5–10m tall and 2–4m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −6°C)
The Sharwil avocado is an Australian variety created in SEQ from a chance seedling. It was the result of natural, unintentional breeding!
Since then, it has become the main commercial avocado variety in Hawaii.
Sharwil avocado trees thrive in tropical climates but are also surprisingly cold-tolerant, handling temperatures as low as −6°C.
They produce medium-sized fruit that stays green when ripe. Inside, you’ll see a small seed, so you get more creamy flesh!
Often marketed as a gourmet avocado, Sharwil has an excellent flavour, just slightly milder than Hass or Fuerte.
Harvest season runs from March to August. If you pick the fruit later in the season, it gets even creamier!
Zutano avocado
Tree size: 7–10m tall and 5-6m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −3°C)
If you’re looking for an avocado with a unique flavour, Zutano might be the one for you.
The fruit is often described as slightly lemon-like. The texture is also lighter and less creamy than other avocados due to its lower oil content.
Zutano avocados are usually ready to harvest between June and September.
This variety is also both hardy and adaptable. It handles cold temperatures quite well and is more sunburn resistant than other avocado trees.
Dwarf Avocado Varieties
If you’re short on space but still want your own avocado tree, go for dwarf varieties!
These can be grown in large pots and are suitable for indoor growing, although that may limit fruiting due to lighting.
If you want your dwarf avocado to produce plenty of fruit, it’s best to grow it outside where it can get plenty of sunlight.
Wurtz
Type: A
Tree size: 3-4m tall and 2-3m wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −5°C)
The Wurtz avocado — also known as the “Little Cado“— grows to about 3–5m tall. You can also prune it to keep it even shorter!
This variety has a distinct weeping habit. The branches gently droop downwards, giving it a softer, cascading look.
The Wurtz avocado fruit is medium-sized and pear-shaped. It has a creamy, full-bodied flavour often compared to Fuerte.
Wurtz avocado trees can fruit for around 4–5 months a year, typically from August to December.
Rincon
Type: A
Tree Size: 2–3m tall and wide
Ideal climate: Warm to cool climates (down to −1°C)
Even smaller than Wurtz, Rincon is a dwarf avocado tree variety that grows to just 2–3m tall.
Rincon avocado trees start fruiting within 2–3 years of planting. They produce small to medium, pear-shaped avocados with smooth green skin.
The flavour is mild, a bit like Hass but not quite as rich. You can expect to harvest Rincon avocados from July to September.
What Are the Best Avocado Trees to Pair?
Hass (A) and Shepard (B) are the most popular varieties in Australia, so we recommend planting them near each other.
They also fruit at different times, so you’ll have avocados for most of the year!
Other common and effective combinations are:
- Hass (A) and Fuerte (B)
- Hass (A) and Bacon (B)
- Reed (A) and Fuerte (B)
That said, you can usually pair any Type A and Type B avocado variety.
The key is to make sure that their flowering periods overlap so pollination can happen.
While avocado trees usually bloom in spring, the local climate can affect the exact timing and duration of flowering.
Spacing also matters. To help with pollination, plant avocado trees no further than 5–10m apart.
If you’re still unsure, get advice from a gardening specialist in your area — they’ll know what works best in your local conditions!
FAQs: Learn More About Avocado Varieties
Want to discover even more about avo tree varieties? We’ve got you covered!
What’s the difference between Shepard and Hass avocados?
Shepard avocados have smooth, green skin that stays green even when ripe, while Hass avocados have bumpy skin that darkens to purplish black as they ripen.
Other differences are as follows:
FLAVOUR: Shepard is milder but slightly sweeter; Hass is richer and nuttier.
SHAPE: Shepard is more elongated; Hass is more oval.
TEXTURE: Shepard’s flesh is firmer; Hass is softer and creamier.
Which is better: Hass or Fuerte avocado?
That depends on your personal preference, as each has its perks!
Many prefer Hass avocado fruit for its creamy texture and classic, rich flavour.
It’s also easier to spot when ripe as the colour turns dark when it’s ready to eat.
Meanwhile, the Fuerte avocado is well-loved for its sweeter taste.
The Fuerte avocado tree is also slightly more cold-tolerant than Hass, so it’s preferred for growing in cooler climates.
Are there any new avocado varieties in Australia?
Apart from Gem and Maluma, another notable new avocado variety in Australia is Jala.
The Jala avocado came from a chance seedling — a tree that naturally sprouted and wasn’t intentionally bred — in the Sunshine Coast in QLD.
It’s known for producing giant fruits, around three to four times larger than Hass avocados. Each Jala avocado weighs about 1–2kg and has a small pit!
The flavour is excellent as well. It’s rich and nutty, usually described as a combination of Hass and Shepard.
Are there disease-resistant avocado varieties?
Yes, some avocado tree varieties are specifically bred to resist common avocado diseases like root rot.
When grafting avocados, growers sometimes use a disease-resistant rootstock (the part that forms the roots). They then pair the rootstock with a fruiting variety on top.
Keep in mind, though — resistant doesn’t mean immune!
When buying an avocado tree, you can ask the nursery if it was grafted with a more resilient rootstock.
Can you use dwarf varieties to pollinate other avocado trees?
Yes, dwarf avocado varieties can pollinate other avocado trees, even full-sized ones.
Tree size doesn’t affect how the flowers work when it comes to pollination.
