How Much Water Does an Avocado Tree Need?

Ripe avocado

The subtropical avocado tree, which comes in Guatemalan, West Indian and Mexican varieties, grows 15 to 40 feet high in only the warmest states. These summer and fall bloomers produce the popular avocado fruit.

Conditions

Avoid over watering poorly draining soil

All avocado trees require good drainage. They not do well in areas that are prone to flooding, and over watering can cause root rot. During rainy periods, no additional water is required.

Young Trees

Young avocados need extra water.

Young avocado trees require extra water to become established. Generally two additional waterings a week during the first two to three months after planting meets the young tree's needs.

Established Trees

Mature trees need more water during fruit set.

Established avocado trees need regular watering to support the canopy and roots. Watering mature trees is critical during bloom time through fruit set.

Requirements

Gallons needed per tree vary.

Except for the four coldest months, mature avocados with up to a 20-foot canopy need 600 to 1100 gallons of water per month. During extremely dry periods, they require up to 1200 gallons of water. Young trees with up to a 4-foot canopy need 20 to 40 gallons of water per month and can take up to 50 gallons of water during the hottest months.

Method

Mulched mounds conserve water.

Current practice calls for planting avocados on a heavily-mulched mound. Water is applied to the mound according to climate conditions, season and the avocado tree's general requirements.

References

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Home Fruit Production, Avocado
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: Avocado Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
• Plants That Produce: Planting an Avocado Tree or Two
• California Rare Fruit Growers: Avocado
• Univ. of California Agriculture & Natural Resources: Calculating Water Application Rates

Resources

• California Avocado Society: The Care and Protection of Young Avocado Trees
• Purdue University Dept. of Horticulture: Avocado
• University of California Davis: Water and Soil
• Western Australia Dept. of Agriculture and Food: Avocado Culture in Western Australia, Irrigation pages 10-12
• Univ. of California Davis: Drip Irrigation Experiments with Avocados in San Diego