Persimmon is a long-term planting — a young tree typically takes about five years to bear its first real fruit, and then produces for years. It's hardy across USDA zones 4 through 9. Its late spring flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees, even though the fruit is the prize. It roots deep, which helps it reach moisture in a dry spell and open up tight soil as it establishes.
Zones
4-9
pH Range
5.8-8
Sun
Full Sun
To First Harvest
~5 yr
Score Persimmon on your exact land.
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What Persimmon is
Persimmon grows as a perennial and reaches around 55 feet at maturity. It blooms yellow in late spring.
How to grow Persimmon
Persimmon grows in USDA zones 4 through 9 and takes about five years to begin bearing. Persimmon does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.8 to 8, on well-drained ground. It needs around 2,500 growing degree days to mature, a growing season of at least 240 frost-free days, and about 600 hours of winter chill to set fruit, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
4-9
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.8 - 8
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
well (dry spells)
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost Tolerance
50°F
plant_species_v5.csv
To First Harvest
~5 years
American persimmon; native; seed needs cold strat 60-90d. ~5 yr from grafted (~7-10 yr from seed); dioecious.
USDA-NRCS
GDD Required
2500+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
55 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Chill Hours
600+
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
240+
plant_species_v5.csv
Plant it right
Set persimmon in full sun with well-drained soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.
Match the soil
Persimmon prefers pH 5.8 to 8 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Be patient, then harvest
Persimmon takes about five years to its first meaningful harvest (USDA-NRCS). Prune annually while it establishes, and the tree will then crop for years.
Good to know
One caution for pet owners — persimmon is toxic to dogs (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)
Persimmon offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Persimmon thrives
Persimmon is hardy across USDA zones 4 through 9. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 4–9·Where Persimmon growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Persimmon can grow in these states:
See if Persimmon will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether persimmon actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Persimmon in my zone?
Persimmon grows in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
How long until Persimmon bears fruit?
Persimmon typically takes about five years after planting to bear its first real crop, then produces for years (USDA-NRCS). Soil, climate, and rootstock all shift the timeline.
When should you plant Persimmon?
Set persimmon out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.
How much sun does Persimmon need?
Persimmon needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Persimmon need?
Persimmon prefers soil pH 5.8 to 8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Persimmon attract pollinators?
Yes — persimmon's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Persimmon safe for pets?
Persimmon is toxic to pets (dogs) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.