20 Awesome Avocado Varieties (Type A & Type B Avocados Explained)

Welcome to the world of avocados! And what a wonderful wide world it is. Hass, the most common type of avocado that you’ll find in grocery stores, is only one of dozens of avocado varieties around. To be honest, Hass isn’t necessarily the best one either! It just happens to be the most marketable because it ships and stores so well. Don’t get me wrong, Hass are great. We grow Hass and thoroughly enjoy the fruit! It is a beautiful tree. Yet there are plenty of other avocado varieties with unique qualities that deserve recognition too.

This article explores the attributes of 20 different awesome avocado varieties. You will learn about each of their growing habits, tree size, cold tolerance and hardiness zone, fruit characteristics, and more. We’ll also discuss the difference between Type A and Type B avocado varieties, and their important relationship in cross-pollination. 

Perhaps you’re here because you’re interested in growing your own avocados? That’s great! Once you read this article and choose what avocado varieties you want to grow, check out our extensive “how to grow avocados” guide. Or, if you’re here simply to learn more about avocado varieties – welcome! I hope you enjoy the read and learn something new.

Before we dive into all of the specific avocado varieties, let’s talk about them in terms of two larger groups first: Type A and Type B avocados.  (or, larger groups – their race, and flower type…

Type A vs Type B Avocados & Cross-Pollination 

Every variety of avocado on the list below falls into either the Type A or Type B category. For example, Hass is a Type A and Fuerte is a Type B.  To encourage optimal fruit development, it is best if both a type A and type B avocado tree are planted close by.  

While ideal, it is not absolutely necessary to have one of each type. Most avocados varieties are considered “self-fruitful” and therefore do not need a partner tree for cross-pollination. Even without a friend, they should develop some avocado fruit. Hass and Reed are particularly good at providing a decent crop when grown solo. On the other hand, having that opposite Type A or Type B partner tree around basically guarantees a much larger and more successful crop.

One study even showed over a 50% increase in fruit development in Hass when provided a cross-pollinator tree (Vrecenar-Gadus and Ellstrand, 1985). Other avocado varieties are especially dependent on a partner tree and perform even poorer without one, such as Pinkertons. Avocado pollination is primarily accomplished by bees, and less so by wind.

If you are interested in growing avocados, consider planting two different avocado trees in your yard. Yet if you don’t have the space, other avocado trees in your neighborhood may be sufficient to provide cross-pollination to your tree. How close do avocado cross pollinator trees need to be? Some internet sources say within 25 to 30 feet. Yet others say within a few neighborhood blocks. Essentially, if avocado trees are common in your area, you should be just fine with one. 

What is the difference between Type A and Type B avocados?

Avocados have very unique flowers. Rather than having separate male and female flowers like some plants, or both male and female anatomy available to interact within the same blossom as others do – avocado flowers essentially change sexes! Type A avocados bloom with their female reproductive parts available first, and do so in the morning. Type B avocado flowers also open in the morning, but in their male phase. Then, each of them pull a switcheroo – and the flowers open as the opposite sex the following day in the afternoon. 

Because avocado flowers take turns exposing their male and female parts, it is more difficult for a single tree to pollinate itself and thus bear fruit. Again, it does happen… but to a lesser extent than when an opposite Type A or Type B is around, wagging their complimentary sex parts around. That is why in nearly all commercial avocado ranches, you’ll find multiple avocado varieties grown nearby to increase cross-pollination. The most common partnership is Hass and Fuerte. 

Interestingly enough, there are other commonalities between the avocado varieties of each Type A or Type B group – beyond their blooming behaviors! Consider the fruit itself.

Several of the Type A avocados are quite Hass-like, or descendants from Hass itself. That is, they have thick firm skin with rich and nutty flesh, high in oil content. They’re known to be exceptionally creamy.

In contrast, most of the Type B avocados are considered “greenskins”. They’re usually more thin-skinned, fragile, and may have slightly more watery flesh with lower oil content. Consequently, Type B avocados are less popular among the commercial avocado industry as they damage easily in shipping and processing. Even more reason to grow your own: to enjoy avocado varieties otherwise not readily available! Some people find the flavor and texture of Type B’s inferior to Type A’s. I personally love many from each group.

AVOCADO VARIETIES

At a Glance

All avocado varieties have many things in common: They’re evergreen perennial trees, generally do best in USDA hardiness zones 8 or 9 through 11, and don’t tolerate extreme heat or freezing temperatures well. That is, with the exception of some hardy Mexican varieties – highlighted below. Avocado trees enjoy ample sunshine and water, but impeccably free-draining soil and absolutely no standing water.

And of course, the best commonality of all: they supply delicious, rich, creamy avocado fruit! The most sure-fire way to get a prolific fruit-bearing avocado tree is to purchase a young grafted nursery tree, which should bear fruit within 2 to 4 years on average. On the other hand, pit-grown trees can take 10-15 years to produce fruit and also will not “breed true” to the parent seed. Note that avocados do not ripen on the tree. They must be harvested once mature, and allowed to finish ripening for 3 to 10 days at room temperature. 

Type A Avocado Varieties

Hass, Pinterton, Lamb Hass, Carmen Hass, Gwen, Reed, Mexicola Grande, Stewart, Holiday, Pryor (aka Fantastic), Opal (aka Lila)

Type B Avocado Varieties

Fuerte, Bacon, Zutano, Sir Prize, Joey, Winter Mexican, Brogdon, and Wilma aka Brazos Belle

Both Type A and Type B

There is one special variety of avocado that has both type A and type B flowers at once. The Wurtz or “ Little Cado” is also the only true dwarf avocado variety. Between its compact size, superior self-fertility, and ability to bear fruit sooner than most – the Little Cado is awesome for backyard gardens and small spaces. See more details below.

Most-Cold Hardy* Avocado Varieties

Joey, Bacon, Opal (aka Lila), Pryor (aka Fantastic),  Mexicola Grande, Wilma (Brazos Belle), and Brogdon. Each of these avocado varieties is described more below, including the temperatures they’re known to be tolerant of. 

*Please note that avocado trees are most tolerant of the cold temperatures listed once they are mature and established, or 3-5 years old. Young trees will require additional protection.

Now, let’s go over each of these in detail!

Hass 

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: Up to 35 feet, though can be kept pruned to be shorter (as with all avocado trees) 
• Cold-Hardy to: Frost-sensitive below 32F.  Also less heat tolerant than some avocado varieties, such as the more heat-hardy Mexicola, Lamb Hass, and Reed. 
• Fruit Characteristics: Creamy, nutty, high-fat flesh and medium-large fruit. Thick textured skin that turns dark green to black when ripe.  
• Bloom Time: February to May 
• Ripens: April through September – from the previous years flowers, as Hass fruits stay on the tree for 12 to 14 months. 
• Other Unique Facts: The Hass variety was first bred in a Southern California backyard in the 1930s. However, the Hass wasn’t grown and marketed on a large scale until the late 1970s. Both Hass and Reed avocado varieties provide a decent crop when grown solo (without a pollinating partner). 

Pinkerton

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: The Pinkteron tree is considered more manageable than some other avocado varieties. Medium size but with a sprawling canopy.
• Cold-Hardy to: 30F
• Fruit Characteristics: A heavy and early producer of oblong slender pear-shaped fruits. Pintertons have excellent rich nutty flavor much like Hass, but with notably smaller pit – making them exceptionally popular. The skin is moderately thick, pebbled, easy to peel, and stays green as the fruit ripens. 
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Ripens: November to April
• Other Unique Facts: Pinkertons are particularly dependent on having a Type B pollinator partner tree around to have a good fruit set. 

Reed 

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 10-11
• Growing Habits: Reed trees grow more slender and upright than some other avocado varieties. When paired with good pruning, it can make for a good compact tree in tighter spaces. Though it is still a large tree, reaching up to 37 feet at maturity.  Known to be very prolific, and also produce well without a partner pollinator tree. 
• Cold-Hardy to: Frost sensitive below 32F. More tolerant to heat than Hass.
• Fruit Characteristics: Produces huge round fruit reminiscent of green softballs. Thick slightly pebbled skin peels easily to reveal extremely buttery flesh with excellent flavor. Reed fruit easily weigh over a pound each, and are the largest of all avocados! 
• Bloom Time: Spring to summer
• Ripens: The following summer. Like Hass, they need nearly a year on the tree after first developing!
• Other Unique Facts: Reed avocados require less water than Hass – a real perk in drought-ridden California! Lower-fuss and vigorous, making it a good choice for new avocado growers. 

Lamb Hass

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: Medium size upright and compact tree. Lamb-Hass is a cross between the traditional Hass Avocado and a Gwen (semi dwarf) Avocado varieties. 
• Cold-Hardy to: Sensitive below 30°F. More heat-tolerant than Hass.
• Fruit Characteristics: Similar to Hass. Excellent flavor and high oil content. The thick pebbly skin turns black as the fruit ripens, isn’t as pliable as Hass and therefore less easy to peel. 
• Bloom Time: Late winter to spring
• Ripens: The following April to November. The Lamb Hass has a longer and later season than Hass (extends the typical Hass season), but also takes slightly longer to mature on the tree. Give Lamb Hass at least one year (up to 18 months) on the tree after the fruit first develops until harvest. 
• Other Unique Facts: Slightly more cold-hardy and heat-tolerant than classic Hass.

Carmen Hass

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: A medium-large tree (up to 30 feet) with a round, dense canopy. More dense than Hass.
• Cold-Hardy to: 30°F
• Fruit Characteristics: Very similar to Hass, but slightly smaller fruit. Excellent flavor and high oil content. Pebbly thick skin that turns black as the fruit ripens. 
• Bloom Time: Carmen is unique in that it has two distinct blooming seasons, one in spring and often another in late summer.
• Ripens: November through the following September to October (bears fruit a couple of months earlier than standard Hass)

Gwen

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: One of the smaller avocado varieties, naturally maxing out tree height around 15 feet.  Can be pruned and maintained smaller as well. 
• Cold-Hardy to: 30°F
• Fruit Characteristics: Similar to Hass in regards to fruit texture and flavor (nutty and buttery) but slightly less creamy. The fruit are a tad larger than Hass, with thick pebbled skin that turns dark green when ripe rather than black. 
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Ripens: the following May- September.
• Other Unique Facts: Due to the compact size and prolific fruit production, Gwen is a great urban backyard tree – and able to grow in large suitable containers. 

Mexicola Grande

• Flower/Pollination: Type A
• Zones: 8b-11
• Growing Habits: Considered a vigorous grower and producer, bearing fruit regularly and heavily. A large avocado tree, reaching heights of 40 feet or greater. 
• Cold-Hardy to: 20-22°F (down to 18°F for short periods or once quite mature).
• Fruit Characteristics: Large fruits of almost a pound each, including a large pit. The leathery skin is dark green to black when ripe, and the fruit has a nice nutty flavor. 
• Bloom Time: Mid spring to early summer
• Ripens: August to October
• Other Unique Facts: Mexicola is the most cold-hardy of these Type A’s. It is also more heat-hardy than Hass.

Stewart (Stuart)

• Flower/Pollination:  Type A
• Zones: 8b-10
• Growing Habits: Medium size tree, more compact than Mexicola Grande – reaching about 20 to 25 feet when fully mature and without pruning.
• Cold-Hardy to: 20-22°F
• Fruit Characteristics: Similar to Mexicola Grande (described above) with pear-shaped fruit and very creamy, nutty-flavored flesh. The thin leathery skin turns dark purple to black when ripe. 
• Bloom time: Spring
• Ripens: October to December
• Other Unique Facts: Stewart is an offspring from Mexicola, but more compact. Exhibits B-like characteristics, though it is a type A pollinator.

Holiday

• Flower/Pollination:  Type A
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: Semi-dwarf, usually reaching a maximum of 12 to 15 feet tall. Distinct weeping canopy.
• Cold-Hardy to: Sensitive below 30°F
• Fruit Characteristics: Known for its large oval fruit that stays green as they ripen. Medium oil content and good flavor.
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Ripens: September to January.  
• Other Unique Facts:  Holiday got its name for ripening during the holiday season. Due to the compact size and prolific fruit production, Holiday is a great choice for small backyards and container-gardening. 

Pryor/Del Rio (sometimes called Fantastic)

• Flower/Pollination:  Type A
• Zones: 8-11
• Growing Habits: A medium-large tree that can reach 25 to 30 feet high
• Cold-Hardy to: 15 to 18°F (once established)
• Fruit Characteristics: Fairly small fruit with medium to olive green thin skin. The texture is creamy and has good oil content, with mild flavor. 
• Bloom Time:  Winter through late spring
• Ripens: August to November
• Other Unique Facts: Note that Pryor/Del Rio is the true variety and rootstock that consistently exhibits the characteristics described above. “Fantastic” avocado trees are often grafted onto Pryor rootstock and essentially become one in the same, and are often marketed as such. However, there has been noted variation between Fantastic trees (e.g. they may sometimes be grafted onto other less cold-hardy rootstock). 

Opal aka Lila

• Flower/Pollination: Type A 
• Zones: 8b/9-11
• Growing Habits: A smaller avocado tree, reaching 15 to 20 feet on average.
• Cold-Hardy to: 15°F for short periods of time, otherwise 20 to 22°F
• Fruit Characteristics: Considered very rich and nutty. Medium-size, pear-shaped fruit that stay green when ripe. 
• Bloom Time: Later winter through spring
• Ripens: July to November
• Other Unique Facts: Lila is a genetic clone of Opal, and is considered to be the second most cold hardy of all Mexican avocado varieties.

Fuerte

• Flower/Pollination: Type B
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: A large tree (up to 35 feet) with a wide sprawling canopy.
• Cold-Hardy to: Cold-hardy down to 28°F. Protect from cool coastal wind for best fruit set. Like Hass, Fuerte is less heat-tolerant than some avocado varieties.
• Fruit Characteristics: Produces large long oval green-ripening fruit, with leathery skin that is easy to peel. Fuerte is known for its excellent flavor and creaminess, but with slightly less oil content than Type A avocado varieties. 
• Bloom Time: May to November
• Ripens: November to April
• Other Unique Facts: The Fuerte is the second most popular commercial variety behind Hass, and commonly grown as a cross-pollinator for Hass. 

Bacon

• Flower/Pollination:  Type B
• Zones: 8b-11
• Growing Habits: Medium and upright. Reaches an average of 20 feet in height when mature, a tad smaller than many other avocado varieties
• Cold-Hardy to: down to 24-26°F, making it a popular variety in colder climates.
• Fruit Characteristics: Large green smooth fruit stay green (but darken slightly) as they ripen. The skin is quite thin, making them difficult to peel. Plan to scoop with a spoon! Bacon avocado flesh is yellow and creamy, but with less oil content than Hass. Typically larger fruit than Hass, but not quite as big as Reeds.
• Bloom Time: Late winter into spring
• Ripens: the following December through February 
• Other Unique Facts: Bacon is noted to be a good producer, even without a partner pollinator tree around. Yet as Type B, it is very commonly planted as a companion for Type A avocado varieties. 

Sir Prize

• Flower/Pollination: Type B
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: Medium size upright tree, reaching 25 to 35 when fully mature. 
• Cold-Hardy to: Frost-sensitive below 32°F. 
• Fruit Characteristics: More like Type A avocado varieties in regards to flesh texture and fat content. As a descendant from Hass, Sir Prize is very similar – with creamy, nutty flesh that turns black as it ripens, but grows larger fruit with a smaller pit!
• Bloom Time: Spring to Summer
• Ripens: Earlier than Hass, in winter to early spring.
• Other Unique Facts: Sir Prize is said to have the largest flesh-to-pit ratio of all the commercial avocado varieties. Also, supposedly the fruit doesn’t turn brown (oxidize) when cut or kept refrigerated. 

Zutano 

• Flower/Pollination:  Type B
• Zones: 8b-11
• Growing Habits: A large avocado tree, reaching heights over 40 feet when mature.
• Cold-Hardy to: 26°F
• Fruit Characteristics: Medium large good-tasting fruit (similar to Fuerte in appearance) with thin green-ripening skin. Zutano fruit are lower in oil and higher in water content, making them less rich, creamy, and flavorful than many other avocado varieties
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Ripens: October to February
• Other Unique Facts: Zutano is known to be a very consistent and heavy producer.

Winter Mexican

• Flower/Pollination: Type B
• Zones: 8b -11
• Growing Habits: Up to 40 feet or taller after 25 years of growth 
• Cold-Hardy to: 20°F degrees for short periods, otherwise 25°F once established
• Fruit Characteristics: The flesh from Winter Mexican avocados is similar to the Hass, but with smaller fruit on average. Produces quite early. 
• Bloom Time: Mid spring to early summer
• Ripens: November to January 
• Other Unique Facts: While this tree is fairly cold-hardy, don’t let the name “winter” lead you to think it is the most cold-hardy of Mexican avocado varieties! Those would be Joey, Pryor, Wilma and Mexicola Grande. It is a Mexican-Guatemalen hybrid, less cold-hardy than pure Mexican types. Rather, this avocado gets its name from the time of year it bears fruit.

Brodgon 

• Flower/Pollination:  Type B
• Zones: 8b-11
• Growing Habits: Mature trees reach over 30 feet tall, with a very upright and dense canopy.
• Cold-Hardy to: 24°F
• Fruit Characteristics: The flesh from this variety is very buttery and yellow, said to be “perfect for guacamole”. It produces quite large fruit, with smooth skin that turns dark purple as it ripens.
• Bloom Time: Mid spring to early summer
• Ripens: August to November

Joey

• Flower/Pollination:  Type B
• Zones: 8b – 11
• Growing Habits: Grow to 25 feet or taller
• Cold-Hardy to: 15 to 18°F (for a short period of time)
• Fruit Characteristics: Considered a “heavy producer” of small egg-shaped fruit. The thin skin is dark purple to black, and the flesh is described as flavorful and nutty. 
• Bloom Time: Spring
• Ripens: August to October
• Other Unique Facts: Everything I see about Joey describes it as “self-fruitful” (though all avocados technically are, to a degree).This variety may perform particularly well without a pollinator partner tree.

Wilma aka Brazos Belle

• Flower/Pollination:  Type B
• Zones: 8-11
• Growing Habits: Tree reaches 20 to 25 feet when mature. Can begin to produce fruit at 1 to 2 years of age (grown from a grafted nursery tree).
• Cold-Hardy to: 15 to 18°F. One of the most cold-tolerant avocado varieties!
• Fruit Characteristics: The medium-size fruit are long and narrow, with a rich nutty flavor reminiscent of Hass. The thin skin turns purplish black when ripe. 
• Blooming Time: Winter to spring
• Ripens: October to November
• Other Unique Facts:  Like the Pryor/Fantastic name game – Brazos Bell is a genetic clone of Wilma. Wilma is the parent variety, and nursery trees sold as Wilma will come on the most trusted rootstock that consistently exhibit the characteristics described above. However, “Brazos Belle” could potentially be grafted onto different rootstock and therefore be less cold-hardy.

Both Type A & B Flowers

Wurtz aka “ Little Cado” 

• Flower/Pollination:  Both Type A and B
• Zones: 9-11
• Growing Habits: Reaches 10 to 15 feet in height maximum (10 to 12 is average) 
• Cold-Hardy to: Frost sensitive below 32F
• Fruit Characteristics: Provides ample good-tasting small to medium-size fruit. The skin is fairly thin and stays green as the fruit ripens. 
• Blooming Time: Late winter through spring 
• Ripens: May- September
• Other Unique Facts:  This is the only true dwarf avocado variety and bears fruit young! Therefore, Little Cado makes for a great backyard tree and can also be grown in large containers – such as a half wine barrel, with ample drainage holes added. 

And that concludes this exploration of 20 awesome avocado varieties.

Uhm, who else is hungry now? I sure am. Good thing we have a ripe homegrown avocado waiting in the fridge! Are you growing any of the avocados we talked about today? Which ones? Or, did I leave a must-grow type off the list? It was definitely hard to narrow it down, since there are dozens more speciality avocado varieties than I could possibly highlight here.

I hope you found this to be interesting and informative. If so, please spread the avo love and share this article! Feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

Finally, if you live in zones 8-11, I’m thinking you’ll dig these other articles too:

• How to Grow Purple Passion Fruit vs Maypops
• How to Grow Turmeric in Containers, in Any Zone
• Growing Avocados: Varieties, Climate, Planting & Care
• How to Grow & Use Aloe Vera in the Garden (for more things than you’d imagine, including feeding other plants!)

References:

We are not personally familiar with all of these avocado varieties. Therefore, I compiled information and photos from a number of expert sources to write this article, including Greg Alder, Rainbow Gardens, A Natural Farm, Backbone Valley Nursery, Florida Fruit Geek, Yamagami’s Nursery, Four Winds Nursery and the University of California. A big thank you to them all!