Every Type of Avocado Tree We Sell: The Complete Guide
California is avocado country — and there's no better way to enjoy fresh guacamole than growing your own. But with so many varieties available, how do you choose the right one? This guide covers every avocado tree we carry, with details on flavor, size, cold-hardiness, and which varieties pair best together for maximum fruit production.
Understanding Type A vs. Type B Avocados
Before diving into varieties, it helps to understand avocado pollination. Avocado trees are categorized as Type A or Type B based on when their flowers open:
- Type A trees open female flowers in the morning and male flowers in the afternoon.
- Type B trees open female flowers in the afternoon and male flowers in the morning.
While many varieties are self-fertile, planting a Type A and Type B together dramatically increases fruit production. We've noted each variety's type below so you can plan the perfect pairing.
Our Avocado Tree Varieties
1. Hass Avocado Tree — The Classic Favorite
The Hass is the world's most popular avocado — and for good reason. Its rich, creamy flesh and nutty flavor are unmatched. The skin turns from green to dark purple-black when ripe, making it easy to know when to harvest. Hass trees are productive, reliable, and perfectly suited to California's climate.
- Best for: Home orchards, everyday eating, guacamole
- Fruit: Medium-sized, pebbly dark skin, creamy flesh
- Harvest: Spring through fall
2. Avocado Tree 'Mexicola' (Type A) — Best Cold-Hardy Variety
The Mexicola is a standout for California gardeners in cooler inland or northern areas. Originating from high-altitude Mexican regions, it offers exceptional frost tolerance where other avocados struggle. It produces small, dark-skinned fruit with creamy, nutrient-dense flesh — and uniquely, the skin is edible when fully ripe.
- Best for: Cooler climates, cold-hardy landscapes, container growing
- Fruit: Small, dark skin, edible skin, early-season harvest
- Pairs with: Any Type B variety (Nabal, Zutano, Sir Prize)
3. Avocado Tree 'Mexicola Grande' (Type A) — Bigger Fruit, Same Cold Hardiness
Think of Mexicola Grande as the upgraded version of Mexicola — all the cold-hardiness of its parent variety, but with substantially larger fruit. It produces medium-sized, dark-skinned avocados with rich, creamy texture and that distinctive thin, edible skin. A great choice for gardeners who love Mexicola but want more from each harvest.
- Best for: Cooler climates, larger yields, residential orchards
- Fruit: Medium, dark skin, edible skin, late summer through autumn harvest
- Pairs with: Any Type B variety (Nabal, Zutano, Sir Prize)
Shop Mexicola Grande Avocado Tree →
4. Avocado Tree 'Pinkerton' (Type A) — Consistent Yields, Excellent Flavor
Pinkerton is a workhorse variety beloved by home growers for its reliable, consistent yields and excellent flavor. It produces creamy, dark-green fruit with minimal fiber — ideal for fresh eating and culinary use. Hardy and adaptable, Pinkerton thrives in well-draining soil with full sun and reaches a moderate height that's manageable for most yards.
- Best for: Home orchards, consistent production, culinary use
- Fruit: Medium, dark green, minimal fiber, late fall through winter harvest
- Pairs with: Nabal, Zutano, or Sir Prize (Type B)
5. Avocado Tree Little Cado (Type A) — Best for Small Yards & Containers
Don't have a big yard? No problem. Little Cado is a compact, self-pollinating dwarf variety that's perfect for patios, small gardens, and container growing. It produces full-flavored, creamy avocados while staying a fraction of the size of standard trees. Low-maintenance and highly productive for its size.
- Best for: Patios, containers, small yards, indoor growing
- Fruit: Full-flavored, creamy, reliable production
- Self-pollinating: Yes — no second tree needed
Shop Little Cado Avocado Tree →
6. Avocado Tree 'Nabal' (Type B) — Large Fruit, Exceptional Quality
Nabal is a vigorous Type B cultivar renowned for producing large, pear-shaped fruit with rich, buttery flesh and superior oil content. It develops into a substantial tree with a dense canopy, so it needs adequate space — but rewards you with impressive harvests from late winter through spring. Its thick skin resists bruising, extending shelf life well beyond most varieties.
- Best for: Larger properties, premium fruit quality, late-season harvest
- Fruit: Large, pear-shaped, buttery, thick skin, late winter through spring harvest
- Pairs with: Mexicola, Mexicola Grande, Pinkerton, or Stewart (Type A)
7. Avocado Tree 'Zutano' (Type B) — Cold-Hardy Pollinator
Zutano is a cold-hardy Type B variety that doubles as an excellent pollinator for your Type A trees. It produces medium-sized, pear-shaped fruit with good flavor and lower oil content — making it a lighter, fresher-tasting option. A vigorous grower that adapts well to diverse climates and soil conditions.
- Best for: Cooler climates, pollinator pairing, fresh eating
- Fruit: Medium, pear-shaped, lower oil content, fresh flavor
- Pairs with: Mexicola, Mexicola Grande, Pinkerton, or Stewart (Type A)
8. Avocado Tree 'Sir Prize' (Type B) — Premium Fruit, Extended Harvest
Sir Prize lives up to its name — it produces large, creamy avocados with a superior flavor profile and dense flesh ideal for both home use and commercial growing. Disease-resistant and adaptable to diverse soil types, with a flowering pattern that perfectly complements Type A varieties. Begins fruiting within 3-4 years.
- Best for: Premium fruit quality, disease resistance, extended harvest season
- Fruit: Large, creamy, dense flesh, excellent flavor
- Pairs with: Mexicola, Mexicola Grande, Pinkerton, or Stewart (Type A)
9. Avocado Tree 'Stewart' (Semi-Deciduous, Type A) — Best for Temperature Fluctuations
Stewart is a unique semi-deciduous Type A variety that tolerates temperature fluctuations better than fully evergreen avocados — making it an excellent choice for transitional growing zones and areas with cooler winters. It produces medium to large avocados with rich, buttery flesh and excellent eating quality.
- Best for: Transitional climates, temperature fluctuations, residential landscapes
- Fruit: Medium to large, buttery, excellent eating quality
- Pairs with: Nabal, Zutano, or Sir Prize (Type B)
Which Avocado Tree Is Right for You?
| Variety | Type | Best For | Fruit Size | Cold Hardy? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hass | A | Classic flavor, everyday use | Medium | Moderate |
| Mexicola | A | Cold climates, containers | Small | Excellent |
| Mexicola Grande | A | Cold climates, larger yields | Medium | Excellent |
| Pinkerton | A | Consistent yields, culinary use | Medium | Good |
| Little Cado | A | Small yards, patios, containers | Small-Med | Good |
| Nabal | B | Large fruit, premium quality | Large | Good |
| Zutano | B | Cold climates, pollinator | Medium | Excellent |
| Sir Prize | B | Premium fruit, disease resistance | Large | Good |
| Stewart | A | Temperature fluctuations | Med-Large | Good |
Best Pollinator Pairings
For maximum fruit production, plant one Type A and one Type B together:
- Classic combo: Hass + Zutano
- Cold-hardy combo: Mexicola + Zutano
- Premium combo: Pinkerton + Sir Prize
- Large fruit combo: Mexicola Grande + Nabal
- Extended season combo: Stewart + Sir Prize
Tips for Growing Avocado Trees in California
- Full sun is essential — avocados need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Well-draining soil is non-negotiable — avocados are highly susceptible to root rot. Amend with our soils and amendments.
- Water deeply but infrequently — established trees prefer deep, infrequent irrigation. Check out our watering supplies.
- Mulch generously — keep 3-4 inches of mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
- Protect from frost — young trees are frost-sensitive. Cold-hardy varieties like Mexicola and Zutano are more forgiving.
- Be patient — most avocado trees begin fruiting within 3-5 years of planting.
Shop All Avocado Trees
Every avocado tree we sell is hand-selected for quality and delivered directly to your California home:
- Hass Avocado Tree
- Mexicola Avocado Tree (Type A)
- Mexicola Grande Avocado Tree (Type A)
- Pinkerton Avocado Tree (Type A)
- Little Cado Avocado Tree (Type A)
- Nabal Avocado Tree (Type B)
- Zutano Avocado Tree (Type B)
- Sir Prize Avocado Tree (Type B)
- Stewart Avocado Tree (Type A)
Also explore our full fruit trees collection and landscape trees for more California-ready trees delivered to your door.