tree

American persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

American persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) — a tree, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermedium to high

↑ Gives back

Fruitedible fruit
Woodhardwood timber
Shademoderate to dense shade
Biomasshigh

Through the year

Emergence

Bud break and leaf emergence typically occur after the last spring frost and when air temperatures consistently rise above 100C.

Flowering

Flowering occurs approximately 30 days after leaf emergence, typically in late spring to early summer.

Fruiting

Fruit development begins after flowering and continues through summer, with ripening occurring in late summer to autumn.

Harvest

Fruits are best harvested after the first few light frosts, which improve their flavor and reduce astringency. Harvest can extend for several weeks.

Senescence

Leaves begin to change color and drop after the first autumn frosts and as day length shortens.

Dormancy

The tree enters full dormancy after leaf drop, triggered by cold temperatures and short days, lasting through winter.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained to moist
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatescalcium, potassium
Soil textureloam, sand, clay
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, root_cuttings, grafting
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~3 yr
Stratificationrequires 60-90 days of cold stratification at 1-50C
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionlate_winter_early_spring

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators, birds, mammals
Can host pestspersimmon psyllid, persimmon borer
Can host diseasespersimmon wilt