19 Best Persimmon Varieties for Your Garden

Persimmon trees are very easy to grow. You only need a location with full sun and rich, moist, well-drained soil. Refer to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone map to ensure you can grow your chosen persimmon variety in your regional climate. Asian persimmons need mild to warmer climates to survive the winter, while the American persimmon will grow further north.

Persimmon trees provide year-round interest. These trees are spring blooming, with small, fragrant flowers. Although the flowers aren’t particularly showy, they still attract pollinators. Your plant will take many months to grow and ripen its fruits. After months of waiting, the fruits finally turn orange in the fall, and you can start harvesting your tasty crop. A single mature persimmon tree can produce hundreds of fruits per year!

If you’re ready to dig into the delicious world of persimmon trees, keep reading to learn more about 19 of the best varieties of persimmon you can grow.

American vs. Asian Persimmons

There are two species of persimmon native to North America: the American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) and the Texas persimmon (Diospyros texana). The American persimmon is much more common and widespread throughout the central and eastern United States. The Texas persimmon is limited to Texas and northeastern Mexico.  

However, most of the persimmons commercially available for growing and eating are native to China and widely cultivated in Japan. The Asian persimmon, also commonly known as the Oriental persimmon, Chinese persimmon, or Japanese persimmon, is the species Diospyros kaki. From this species, many fabulous cultivars have been developed with varying fruit and tree characteristics.

Here are 19 lovely tree varieties for your orchard or landscape:

American Persimmon 

	botanical name Diospyros virginiana
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 30 – 80 feet
	hardiness zones 4 – 9

The American persimmon is native to the central and eastern United States. It typically grows as an understory tree in open woodlands or along sunny forest edges. While it can grow quite large, it typically remains a smaller tree. American persimmon is easy to grow and very attractive to wildlife, who will come to feast on the fall fruits.

These trees are generally dioecious, with separate male and female trees, although some trees can self-pollinate. The fruits measure two to three inches across and ripen in late fall. They are astringent until they are fully ripe and very soft. When they fall easily from the tree, they are at their sweetest. If you want to focus on native plants in your landscape, the American persimmon is a great option.

‘Chocolate’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Chocolate’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 25 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 10

In case you were wondering, this variety doesn’t taste like chocolate. ‘Chocolate’ is a cultivar of the popular Asian persimmon. This non-astringent variety is self-fertile, so you only need one tree to grow your own fruits. The oblong fruits vaguely resemble giant acorns.

Ripening in October, the fruit skin turns deep orange, and the flesh turns brownish. These persimmons are sweet and delicious and make an excellent fruit-producing tree for your yard. 

Date Plum Persimmon

	botanical name Diospyros lotus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 50 – 60 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 9

The date plum persimmon is an entirely separate species from most of the Asian varieties. This species is native to the Caucasus region of Eurasia. These deciduous trees can grow rather large but typically remain around 30 feet. They have both ornamental value and edible fruits. Date plum persimmon fruits are very small compared to most Asian persimmons and have a sweet, jelly-like flesh.

These trees can be easily started from seed; each fruit contains several hard seeds. Wait until the fruits are fully ripe and soft before harvesting. Otherwise, they will be too astringent to eat. 

‘Eureka’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Eureka’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15 – 20 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 10

Savoring a ‘Eureka’ persimmon is, indeed, a “Eureka!” experience. These fruits, when fully ripe, are smooth and creamy with a sweet, honey-like flavor. The slightly flattened fruits are firm and become bright orange at peak ripeness.

‘Eureka’ trees are self-pollinating, but like many fruit trees, you can expect the best harvest when another variety is growing nearby. Harvest your fruits in late fall and enjoy them fresh from the tree, but be warned, the fruits of this variety will likely contain some seeds.

‘Fuyu’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20 – 30 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 11

The ‘Fuyu’ persimmon may possibly be the most widely grown and popular cultivar available. Why is it so popular? ‘Fuyu’ is easy to grow, low-maintenance, bears delicious fruits, and produces a large yield. What’s not to like about that?

The delicious non-astringent fruits are medium-sized and ripen late in the season. These trees are also self-fertile, so you’ll only need to plant one to get a good crop. The fruits are generally seedless, although you will sometimes find a seed or two in the fruits.

‘Fuyu Jiro’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu Jiro’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 15 feet
	hardiness zones 6 – 9

‘Fuyu Jiro’ is a small variety with a graceful form. These ornamental trees will add not only appeal to your landscape but a hefty load of sweet orange fruits. This Asian persimmon variety is non-astringent, so you can enjoy eating them fresh from the tree when they’re a little crunchy, or wait until they are fully mature and soft.

The fully ripe flesh is sweetly delicious with a jelly-like consistency. The mid-season ripening means your fruits will be ready to eat at the peak of fall, but you can safely leave them on the tree for a while and just enjoy their showy color!

‘Giant Fuyu’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Giant Fuyu’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 20 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 10

The ‘Giant Fuyu’ tree just might produce the largest persimmons you’ll ever see. Each fruit can grow over three inches across. ‘Giant Fuyu’ fruits are non-astringent and very sweet and delicious. The large and rounded fruits are loaded with classic persimmon flavor.

This variety is self-fertile, and a mature tree can produce 50 pounds of fruit in a single season! You can pick and eat these fruits straight off the tree or use them for cooking and preserves. If you’re looking for the biggest persimmons possible, then ‘Giant Fuyu’ is your tree.

‘Giombo’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Giombo’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 15 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 9

‘Giombo’ is an early-season variety, but don’t expect to see persimmons in the spring. Early season for persimmons means your fruits will ripen in early to mid-fall. The large, oblong fruits are smooth-skinned and beautifully dark orange at peak ripeness.

Don’t pick them too soon. You’ll need to wait until they are completely ripe and soft because the fruits are astringent if picked too early. ‘Giombo’ fruits have a relatively thin skin and smooth, juicy, jelly-like flesh. 

‘Great Wall’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Great Wall’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15 – 20 feet
	hardiness zones 6 – 9

‘Great Wall’ is an early-season variety of Asian persimmon. These self-fertile trees will produce plenty of fruits alone but will have an even better crop when planted near another persimmon variety.

‘Great Wall’ is somewhat more cold-tolerant than many other Asian persimmons, so you may have some luck with this one down to zone 6. The medium-sized, astringent fruits develop a deliciously sweet flavor, turning reddish-orange when fully ripe.

‘Hachiya’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Hachiya’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 15 feet
	hardiness zones 8 – 11

If you have ever seen Asian persimmons for sale at your local grocery store, there’s a good chance you’ve seen ‘Hachiya’. ‘Hachiya’ trees are vigorous and productive, making them highly ornamental and fruit-heavy.

The extra large fruits grow somewhat cone-shaped, and are typically seedless with soft and creamy flesh. You’ll need to wait until late in the season when they are deep orange and fully ripe because the unripened ‘Hachiyas’ are astringent. However, it’s worth the wait for the extra sweet late fall harvest!

‘Izu’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Izu’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 15 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 10

‘Izu’ is an early-season variety of Asian persimmon with beautiful, medium-sized fruits. These trees are self-fertile, so you won’t need to worry about cross-pollination with another tree.

‘Izu’ is a smaller variety that may be a bit slow to grow, but don’t worry; even smaller trees will have a good crop of lovely, rounded, bright orange fruits. This variety is non-astringent and can be eaten any time they turn orange, even if they’re still a bit crunchy, like an apple. 

Japanese Persimmon

	botanical name Diospyros kaki
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20 – 30 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 10

The Japanese persimmon is the parent species that has given rise to most of the Asian persimmon cultivars. These trees are easy to grow and virtually trouble-free. They are attractive small trees with spectacular fruits and beautiful red fall foliage.

Grow a Japanese persimmon tree to turn your yard into an edible landscape with wildlife-friendly trees and plenty of curb appeal. The persimmons are round but slightly flattened and are generally astringent until they are fully ripe. When ripe and soft, they become immensely sweet and creamy. 

‘Maekawa Jiro’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Maekawa Jiro’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12 – 15 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 11

The ‘Maekawa Jiro’ variety produces flattened, round fruits in great abundance. They are large and sturdy with vibrant orange skin. These non-astringent fruits are sweet and mild. They are delicious when eaten still firm or fully soft and ripe. These ornamental trees are self-fertile and will provide an exceptional harvest on a single tree.

‘Matsumoto’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Matsumoto’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15 – 20 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 9

‘Matsumoto’ trees produce an abundance of non-astringent fruits. You can look forward to a heavy, mid-season production of large, slightly flattened, round fruits.

Your crop will be ready to harvest between mid and late fall. You can just leave the fruits on the tree until you are ready to eat them. Earlier harvests will be crunchier but still sweet, and later harvests will provide extra sweet, jelly-like fruits with vibrant, deep orange skin.

‘Morris Burton’

	botanical name Diospyros virginiana ‘Morris Burton’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 30 – 60 feet
	hardiness zones 5 – 9

‘Morris Burton’ is a cultivar of the native North American species. This medium-sized tree grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. It’s more cold-hardy than the Asian persimmon varieties and can be easily grown in a variety of landscapes.

‘Morris Burton’ produces an abundance of small, vibrantly orange fruits each fall. Leave these astringent fruits on the tree until they are completely soft, and then enjoy their sweet honey-like flavor fresh or as preserves and jams. 

‘Saijo’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Saijo’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15 – 20 feet
	hardiness zones 6 – 9

‘Saijo’ persimmons are both beautiful and very tasty. The oblong oval-shaped fruits are astringent until fully ripe. Then, harvest the fruits for a deliciously sweet and honey-like flavor that you can eat fresh, baked, or preserved.

Enjoy an early to mid-season harvest, and be prepared for many fruits. The vigorous ‘Saijo’ variety is self-pollinating and can bear heavy crops.

‘Tanenashi’

	botanical name Diospyros kaki ‘Tanenashi’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 15 – 20 feet
	hardiness zones 7 – 9

‘Tanenashi’ is a vigorous cultivar that makes a very ornamental landscaping tree. It is moderately productive and self-pollinating, able to produce plenty of beautifully colored fruits. These persimmons start out green, then become a beautiful yellow before finally fully ripening into a deep yellow-orange hue.

‘Tanenashi’ fruits are astringent, so you’ll need to wait until they become fully ripe and soft before harvesting. Since the rounded, conical fruits are long-lasting on the tree, you’ll have plenty of time to admire them before enjoying their rich, sweet flavor. 

‘Triumph’

	botanical name Diospyros virginiana ‘Triumph’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 10 – 15 feet
	hardiness zones 8 – 11

The ‘Triumph’ cultivar comes from the native North American species, but it was developed to grow in warmer climates. It is an excellent choice for hot and humid climates. These smaller trees are highly productive, producing a heavy crop of astringent fruits.

The persimmons are small and deep reddish-orange; they will look great remaining on the tree until they are fully ripe, soft, and sweet. The flesh will become pure orange and somewhat translucent at peak ripeness for a deliciously tasty treat.

‘Yates’

	botanical name Diospyros virginiana ‘Yates’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 20 – 25 feet
	hardiness zones 4 – 9

‘Yates’ is a wonderfully cold-tolerant cultivar of the native American species. These small to medium-sized trees are showy and produce an abundance of edible fruits. ‘Yates’ fruits are astringent, so allow them to ripen into sweet, dark orange perfection before trying to eat one.

These trees are self-fertile, so you won’t need to worry about growing another tree nearby, but you certainly can help increase production and add some variation to your edible landscape. ‘Yates’ produces somewhat small persimmons with glowing orange skin. 

Frequently Asked Questions