Persimmon

Diospyros species

Ebenaceae

American persimmon is a tough native; Asian types give bigger fruit. Astringent until fully soft-ripe.

EdiblePerennialTough as a nativeDrought-tough

Persimmon (Diospyros species) illustration — Texas Roots plant database, by Jordan Polasek

Sun

Full sun

Water

Low once established

Soil

Tolerant

pH

6.0–7.5

Hardiness

Hardy tree

Height

15–35 ft

Spacing

20 ft

Days to harvest

3–5 yr to bear

What it is

Persimmon (Diospyros species) is in the Ebenaceae family. American persimmon is a tough native; Asian types give bigger fruit. Astringent until fully soft-ripe.

How to grow it

It wants full sun, water it low once established, and give it tolerant soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.5. Space plants about 20 ft apart. Expect roughly 3–5 yr to bear. Hardy tree.

How it's used

Persimmon is used: fresh (fully ripe), dried, baked.

🔎 How to identify it

Oval glossy leaves
Small bell flowers
Orange fruit clinging after leaf-drop

Edibility

PartsRipe fruit

UsesFresh (fully ripe), dried, baked

CautionUnripe astringent types are mouth-puckering — wait until soft.

🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.

Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.