Avocados are delicious.
I have grown them from seed and from graft.
I’ve already eaten many off the grafted trees and the tree grown from seed is still maturing.
Moral of the story…
Grafted = Quick Fruiting
I looked at many nurseries online and found the ones that had the quickest fruiting avocado trees.
Some bear fruit the 1st year after planting!
Tasty Quick Fruiting Avocado Trees
1. Cold Hardy – Persea americana
Home-grown avocados are made possible even in the coldest climates with Cold Hardy avocado trees, which can tolerate temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
This resilient tree offers a quick path to enjoying its fruits, significantly faster than seed-grown varieties, with potential fruiting in just three years or even as soon as the first year when a 5-6 ft option is purchased.
Chosen for their vigor and health, these grafted trees come in four varieties: Mexicola, Brogdon, Oro Negro, and Bacon, each delivering the rich, buttery flavor avocados are known for.
Perfect for container growing, the Cold Hardy avocado can be easily moved indoors during harsh winters, ensuring a bountiful harvest of this nutrient-packed superfood.
Whether planted in the ground to reach up to 20 feet or kept in a container for a more manageable size, this quick fruiting avocado tree fits seamlessly into various gardening plans.
- USDA Growing Zones: 8-11 Outdoors, 4-11 Patio
- Mature Tree Size: 15-20 ft tall, 5-8 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: Can Fruit 1st Year
- Avg Growth Rate: Fast
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes. Planting a Hass avocado as well will increase the size of your crop.
- Type: A or B, depends on which of the 4 varieties of Cold Hardy you get.
Available at:
2. Hass – Persea americana ‘Hass’
Quick to mature and capable of bearing fruit within the first year of planting, Hass avocado trees are a preferred choice for avocado lovers who want to enjoy fresh, creamy avocados without a long wait.
This variety, popular for its rich flavor that surpasses store-bought counterparts, offers the convenience of growing either in-ground or in containers, adapting seamlessly to your home environment.
When grafted onto rootstock proven for resilience and productivity, the Hass avocado tree promises not only a swift growth rate but also a generous yield of the most popular avocado variety on the market.
Whether planted outdoors to reach its full stature or kept in a container for easy access and harvesting, this tree is an enduring investment, producing avocados for over 40 years.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9-11 Outdoors, 4-11 Patio
- Mature Tree Size: 15-20 ft tall, 5-8 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: Can Fruit 1st Year
- Avg Growth Rate: Fast
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes. Planting a Cold Hardy variety as well will increase yield.
- Type: A
Available at:
Fast-Growing-Trees, Nature Hills or Starkbro’s
3. Condo – Persea americana
Condo™ Indoor avocado trees are highly sought after for their ability to flourish indoors and their early fruiting phase, which begins when they are merely 3 feet tall.
Its compact size doesn’t hinder its generous yield, making it perfect for container growth indoors with simple care requirements.
Transitioning it between indoors and outdoors as seasons change ensures optimal growth.
This tree promises rich, buttery avocados much sooner than other varieties with potential fruiting in the first year.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9-11 Outdoors, 4-11 Patio
- Mature Tree Size: 8-10 ft tall, 5 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: Can Fruit 1st Year
- Avg Growth Rate: Moderate
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes. Planting a Cold Hardy Variety as well will increase yield.
- Type: B
Available at:
4. Catalina – Persea americana ‘Catalina’
For avocado lovers, the Catalina avocado tree is the top choice, offering the convenience of harvesting high-quality, home-grown avocados directly from the comfort of your home.
Preferring full sun for optimal growth but capable of growing in partial shade, this tree is known for its fast growth and ability to produce fruit within the first 2 years in warm regions.
Its container-friendly nature makes it a versatile addition to both indoor and outdoor settings, enhancing spaces with its bright, lush foliage.
The Catalina avocado, distinguished by its yellow-green flesh, thrives in a range of conditions and is a resilient choice for gardeners seeking to add a flavorful and nutritious element to their home-grown produce.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9-11 Outdoors, 4-9 Patio
- Mature Tree Size: 25-30 ft tall, 15-20 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: 1-2 Years
- Avg Growth Rate: Fast
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes
- Type: A
Available at:
5. Mexicola – Persea americana ‘Mexicola’
A remarkably cold-hardy variety, the Mexicola avocado tree is capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 25°F, making it suitable for a wider range of climates compared to other avocado varieties.
Its adaptability to both full sun for optimal growth and partial shade, along with container-friendly traits, allows for versatile placement in gardens, patios, or indoors.
This fast-growing, evergreen tree not only enhances landscapes with its vibrant foliage but also promises large, high-quality, pink-skinned avocados.
Remarkably, it can start producing fruit within the first year of planting under warm conditions, offering a substantial yield annually with proper care.
- USDA Growing Zones: 8-11 Outdoors, 4-9 Patio
- Mature Tree Size: 20-25 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: Can Fruit 1st Year
- Avg Growth Rate: Fast
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes
- Type: A
6. Brogdon or (Brogden) – Persea americana ‘Brogden’
A versatile and cold-hardy variety, the Brogdon avocado is perfect for backyard orchards across a wide range of climates.
Adapted to thrive in USDA Growing Zones 9-11 outdoors and suitable for patios in Zones 4-9, this variety boasts a resilience to temperatures as low as 25°F.
The Brogdon is known for producing large, delicious fruits with distinct purplish black skin within the first 1-2 years of planting, making it a fast-growing and rewarding addition to any garden.
Its lush, evergreen foliage and compatibility with container gardening allow it to serve dual purposes as both a productive fruit tree and an ornamental plant for indoor and outdoor spaces.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9-11 Outdoors, 4-9 Patio
- Mature Tree Size: 20-25 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: 1-2 Years
- Avg Growth Rate: Fast
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes
- Type: B
7. Reed – Persea americana ‘Reed’
Originating from a Californian seedling in 1948, the Reed avocado is a real gem among avocado varieties.
Known for its exceptionally large fruits and vibrant green skin at maturity, the Reed offers a slightly nutty and rich flavor that’s adored by food enthusiasts, especially vegetarians.
This variety’s versatile nature makes it perfect for an array of dishes, enhancing salads, sandwiches, and guacamole with its creamy texture.
Grafted for quicker fruit production, the Reed Avocado rewards gardeners with its sumptuous fruits between July and September, just 2-3 years after planting.
The delicious avocados range from 24 to 40 ounces per fruit, making it a sought-after choice for avocado lovers seeking both quality and quantity.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9-11 Outdoors
- Mature Tree Size: 10-15 ft tall, 7-10 ft wide
- Time to Bear First Fruit: 2-3 years
- Avg Growth Rate: Fast
- Chill Hours: Not Required
- Self Fertile: Yes
- Type: A
Comparing these Quick Fruiting Avocado Trees
| Avocado Tree Variety | USDA Growing Zones | Mature Tree Size | Time to Bear First Fruit | Avg Growth Rate | Self Fertile | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Hardy | 8-11 Outdoors, 4-11 Patio | 15-20 ft tall, 5-8 ft wide | Can Fruit 1st Year | Fast | Yes | A/B |
| Hass | 9-11 Outdoors, 4-11 Patio | 15-20 ft tall, 5-8 ft wide | Can Fruit 1st Year | Fast | Yes | A |
| Condo™ Indoor | 9-11 Outdoors, 4-11 Patio | 8-10 ft tall, 5 ft wide | Can Fruit 1st Year | Moderate | Yes | B |
| Catalina | 9-11 Outdoors, 4-9 Patio | 25-30 ft tall, 15-20 ft wide | 1-2 Years | Fast | Yes | A |
| Mexicola | 8-11 Outdoors, 4-9 Patio | 20-25 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide | Can Fruit 1st Year | Fast | Yes | A |
| Brogdon (Brogden) | 9-11 Outdoors, 4-9 Patio | 20-25 ft tall, 10-15 ft wide | 1-2 Years | Fast | Yes | B |
| Reed | 9-11 Outdoors | 10-15 ft tall, 7-10 ft wide | 2-3 years | Fast | Yes | A |
Why Avocado Tree Growth Rates Differ
For each of the above avocado varieties, I have provided information about time to bear fruit. Please keep in mind that these are estimates only as actual time to first yield will vary based on the climate, soil and care provided for each tree.
Avocado trees can be cultivated through several techniques, including seeds, grafting, budding, cuttings, layering, or air layering, each offering unique advantages.
Grafting is commonly preferred for reliably producing specific avocado varieties because it usually results in quicker fruit production.
In contrast, growing avocados from seeds might be more straightforward but tends to take longer before the trees start producing fruit.
Because of the various cultivation methods, the time to bear fruit may differ from one nursery to another, depending on the method they use.
Choosing a grafted avocado tree often represents the quickest and easiest route for many budding avocado growers.
Why Avocado Tree Size Matters
Nurseries typically offer a range of avocado tree sizes for purchase.
Generally, the price increases with the size of the tree: smaller trees tend to be more affordable, whereas larger ones, being more advanced in growth and nearer to fruiting, have a higher cost.
For enthusiasts looking to kickstart their avocado growing quickly, opting for a grafted or an older tree may prove to be the most efficient approach.
For example, Fast-Growing-Trees sells the Hass avocado tree at different growth stages: 1-2 ft, 3-4 ft, 4-5 ft, and 5-6 ft tall.
If your goal is to accelerate your avocado harvest, selecting a tree that stands 5-6 feet tall would likely be the best option.
Chill Hours
Avocados do not require chill hours.
Many fruit trees (not the Avo) often require hundreds of hours of cold exposure, with temperatures ranging from 35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit, each year to flower and yield fruit effectively.
Insufficient chill hours can lead to subpar flowering and insufficient leaf growth.
Why Pollination Matters
Avocado trees are self-fertile due to their bisexual flowers, enabling a single tree to bear fruit with necessary pollinators like bees.
Type A and Type B avocados differ in their flowering times.
Pairing the same type (A + A or B + B) enhances fruit production through increased pollination chances.
For optimal yield, planting both an A Type and a B Type is recommended.
Other Fast Growing & Bearing Fruit Trees
Want to plant something other than an avocado trees
Take a look at the other delicious possibilities with pear, peach, cherry, apple, lemon, and fig trees, and even blueberry bushes, identifying those that grow faster and yield fruit quicker.
Happy planting!
