How to grow Persimmon in Australia
Persimmon is a hardy, long-lived deciduous tree with glossy leaves that turn brilliant orange in autumn, leaving bright fruit hanging on bare branches. There are two kinds: non-astringent types such as Fuyu, eaten crisp like an apple, and astringent types such as Hachiya, eaten only when jelly soft. Trees are rarely troubled by insects, but birds and possums love the fruit.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Persimmon in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | June to August | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | June to August | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | June to August | Good chill hours. Plant bare-root in winter. Excellent in western Sydney. |
| Melbourne & Victoria | June to August | Ideal conditions. Excellent autumn colour and fruit. Fuyu is most reliable. |
| Adelaide & SA | June to August | Good chill hours. Plant bare-root in winter. |
| Perth & WA | June to August | Moderate chill. Plant bare-root in winter. |
| Tasmania | June to August | Plant bare-root Jun to Aug. Best in warmer northern and coastal gardens. Fuyu is the most reliable. |
| Canberra & ACT | June to August | Excellent chill hours. Outstanding autumn colour and fruit. |
| North Queensland | Not suited | Not viable. Needs winter chill for dormancy. |
| Darwin & Top End | Not suited | Not viable. Needs winter dormancy and chill. |
Where to plant
Plant persimmons in full sun in deep, rich, well-drained soil, sheltered from strong wind, as branches heavy with fruit can snap. They grow in a wide range of soils and even thrive in clay, as long as it is not waterlogged. Persimmons are hardy and can live for a very long time.
Trees need some winter chill and grow from Hobart to south east Queensland, but not in the tropics.
- Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide: ideal conditions, with excellent autumn colour and fruit. Fuyu is the most reliable.
- Sydney: good, especially in the western suburbs.
- Perth: moderate chill; plant bare-root trees in winter and water deeply through summer.
- Hobart: best in warmer northern and coastal gardens; Fuyu is the most reliable.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: grow well; fruit fly control is important here.
- North Queensland and Darwin: not suited; there is no winter chill for dormancy.
Choosing a variety
| Variety | Type and notes |
|---|---|
| Fuyu | Non-astringent. Eat while firm and crisp, like an apple. The most popular home garden variety |
| Hachiya | Astringent. Must be completely soft before eating; intensely sweet then. A classic for baking |
| Nightingale | Non-astringent Australian selection; sweet, on a compact tree for smaller gardens |
Check the label before you buy, as the two types are used quite differently. Astringent persimmons eaten before they are fully soft leave an unpleasant, chalky, mouth-puckering taste.
How to plant
- Plant bare-root trees in winter while dormant.
- Dig the soil well and make sure it is moist before planting.
- Plant with the graft at least 10 cm above the soil.
- Stake the young tree, as the branches are brittle.
- Water in well and keep the tree well watered until it is established.
Watering and feeding
Keep young trees well watered while they establish. Established trees handle dry spells, but steady water while the fruit is swelling over summer reduces fruit drop and gives better fruit; water stress is a common cause of heavy fruit drop.
Apply a balanced fertiliser each winter or in early spring and mulch the root zone. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which pushes leaves at the expense of fruit.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune lightly in winter. Persimmons flower and fruit on new shoots that grow from last season's wood, so a heavy all-over prune removes much of the next crop. Prune different parts of the tree in different years.
- Keep the tree to about 3 m so it is easy to net and pick.
- Thin a very heavy crop while the fruit is small to protect the brittle branches from snapping.
- Net the tree as fruit colours; birds and possums are the main pests.
Harvesting
Non-astringent types are ready when the fruit is a rich, deep orange and still firm. Astringent types are picked when fully coloured, then left to soften completely: they are ripe when the skin is deep orange-red and almost translucent and the flesh wobbles like jelly.
Cut the fruit with secateurs, leaving a short stalk, rather than pulling it. Non-astringent fruit keeps about a week in the fridge once ripe. Astringent fruit can be ripened fully on the bench, and the soft pulp freezes well.
Growing in pots
A dwarf or compact persimmon can be grown in a pot at least 50 cm wide in quality potting mix, in full sun, with regular water through summer.
Using it
Slice crisp non-astringent persimmons into salads or eat them like an apple; they also make chutney and smoothies. Scoop soft astringent persimmons with cream or ice cream, or use the pulp in puddings, cakes, breads, biscuits and jam.
Companion planting
A persimmon fits well into a mixed backyard orchard and is an attractive feature tree in its own right.
Good companions
- Fruit trees It suits a mixed orchard, cropping in autumn after the summer stone fruit have finished.
Pests and diseases
Persimmons are generally free of serious insect pests. Animals and fruit fly take the most fruit.
Pests to watch for
- Fruit fly Sting marks and soft, rotting patches on ripening fruit in warm areas. Bag or net fruit and destroy fallen fruit.
- Birds Pecked, half-eaten fruit as it colours. Net the tree.
- Possums Fruit eaten or knocked down overnight. Net the whole tree, sealing the netting at the trunk.
Persimmon is rarely troubled by disease.
Common questions
What is the difference between astringent and non-astringent persimmons?
Non-astringent types, such as Fuyu, can be eaten firm and crisp. Astringent types, such as Hachiya, must be completely soft and jelly-like before eating, or they leave a chalky, puckering taste.
When is a persimmon ripe?
Non-astringent fruit is ready when it is rich orange and still firm. Astringent fruit is ripe when the skin is deep orange-red and almost translucent and the flesh wobbles inside like jelly.
Why is my persimmon tree dropping fruit?
Heavy fruit drop usually comes from water stress over summer, or from a young tree that is still settling in. Water deeply and regularly while the fruit is growing.
When should I prune a persimmon?
Lightly in winter while it is dormant. Fruit forms on new shoots from last season's wood, so heavy pruning removes much of the next crop. Prune different sections in different years.
How long does a persimmon tree take to fruit?
A grafted tree usually starts fruiting about three years after planting, and a mature tree can carry dozens of fruit each season.
Can I grow persimmons in Queensland?
Yes in south east Queensland, where they grow well with fruit fly control. They are not suited to tropical North Queensland, which lacks the winter chill they need.
Sources we checked: Local Food Connect (Robin Gale-Baker): A winter wonder, the persimmon tree.