Persimmon

Plant Overview

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) is listed in the Ebenaceae family and categorized as a fruit with a perennial tree life cycle. This profile summarizes growing information for hardiness, light, soil, water, seed starting, maturity, and other available cultivation details. Difficulty is listed as Moderate.

Plant ID

PLT-0118

Family

Ebenaceae

Plant type

Fruit

Life cycle

Perennial tree

Growth habit

Deciduous fruit tree with an upright to rounded canopy

Mature height

Commonly about 15-30 feet, depending on cultivar, rootstock, climate, and pruning

Mature spread

Commonly about 15-25 feet, depending on training and growing conditions

Difficulty

Moderate

Growing Conditions

Persimmon is listed for full sun conditions. Water needs are listed as moderate; maintain consistent moisture during establishment and fruit development while avoiding waterlogged soil. The database soil reference is Deep, fertile, well-drained loam with good moisture retention. The listed soil pH range is 6.0-7.0, and the listed hardiness range is 7-10.

Hardiness zones

7-10

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil

Deep, fertile, well-drained loam with good moisture retention

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Water needs

Moderate; maintain consistent moisture during establishment and fruit development while avoiding waterlogged soil

Plant spacing

Allow roughly 15-25 feet between full-size trees, with closer spacing possible for smaller cultivars or managed plantings

Seed & Germination

For propagation, the database note is persimmon seeds generally require a period of moist cold stratification before germination; named fruiting cultivars are normally propagated by grafting or budding. Planting-depth guidance: For seed propagation, sow stratified persimmon seed about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in a moist, well-drained medium; named cultivars are normally established as grafted nursery trees. Maturity guidance: Grafted persimmon trees may begin bearing within a few years, while seed-grown trees generally take longer and may not reproduce the parent cultivar. Use these values as general reference points and adjust for local climate, seed source, and growing conditions.

Germination

Persimmon seeds generally require a period of moist cold stratification before germination; named fruiting cultivars are normally propagated by grafting or budding

Germination temperature

After cold stratification, persimmon seed germination is favored by mild to warm conditions with consistent moisture and good drainage

Seed depth

For seed propagation, sow stratified persimmon seed about 1/2 to 1 inch deep in a moist, well-drained medium; named cultivars are normally established as grafted nursery trees

Sowing method

Seed is mainly used for seedlings, breeding, or rootstock production, while named cultivars are normally established as grafted or budded nursery trees

Start indoors

Stratified persimmon seeds can be started in containers, but named fruiting cultivars are more commonly planted as grafted nursery trees

Transplanting

Plant dormant or container-grown nursery trees with roots protected from drying, set them at approximately their previous growing depth, and keep the graft or bud union above the final soil level

Harvest & Propagation

Days to maturity

Grafted persimmon trees may begin bearing within a few years, while seed-grown trees generally take longer and may not reproduce the parent cultivar

Harvest

Harvest when fruit has developed full cultivar color and appropriate softness or firmness; astringent types are generally eaten only after they become very soft or otherwise lose astringency

Propagation

Named persimmon cultivars are normally propagated by grafting or budding onto compatible rootstocks

Seed saving

Seeds can be collected from fully mature seeded persimmons, cleaned and cold-stratified before sowing, but seedlings are genetically variable and will not reliably reproduce the parent cultivar

Pollination

Pollination requirements vary by cultivar; some Japanese persimmons can set fruit without pollination, while others benefit from or require compatible pollen, and pollination can affect seed development and fruit characteristics

Garden Information

Common pests

Scale insects, persimmon psylla, aphids, mites, borers, leafrollers, stink bugs, and fruit-feeding insects

Common diseases

Leaf spot, anthracnose, cankers, root rots, fruit rots, and other fungal or bacterial diseases

Uses

Fresh fruit, drying, baking, desserts, preserves, jams, sauces, and edible landscapes