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Fruits, Nuts & Perennial Crop CalendarsPersimmon Calendar
Persimmons ripen late, long after most fruit is done, and the main trick is knowing which type you have. That decides when you pick and how you eat it.
Key points
- American types are hardier; Asian types suit milder climates.
- Know whether your fruit is astringent before tasting.
- Bloom is late, so frost damage is less common.
- Taste a fruit before the main harvest.
What are the main persimmon types?
American persimmons are native, hardy trees found across much of the eastern United States, with small, very sweet fruit when fully ripe. Asian persimmons, often called Oriental or Japanese, have larger fruit and are less cold hardy. UF/IFAS, Texas A&M and University of Arizona all publish notes on Asian types.
Pick the type that fits your winters. Asian persimmons suit milder regions, while American persimmons and some hybrids tolerate colder ones.
Many gardeners also grow persimmons for their fall color. The leaves turn bright shades before dropping, leaving orange fruit on bare branches in late autumn.
What does astringent versus non-astringent mean?
Astringent persimmons are puckery until fully soft and ripe, while non-astringent types can be eaten while still firm. The tannins that cause the pucker break down as the fruit softens, and some astringent varieties are treated or dried to be edible earlier.
Know which kind you have before tasting a firm fruit. Ask your nursery or extension office to confirm the variety's type.
If you are buying fruit to try before planting, ask the seller about the variety, so you can look up its type and requirements before committing space.
When does a persimmon tree bloom and bear?
Persimmons bloom in late spring, after most frost risk has passed in many areas, which makes them a relatively reliable crop in mild regions. Some varieties are self fruitful and others need a pollinator or have separate male and female trees. Check for your variety.
Fruit develops through summer and ripens in fall. Ask your nursery whether fruit drop is a known habit of the variety you chose. Variety notes from extension describe the habits of local choices.
A tree with male and female flowers on separate plants is called dioecious. If your tree is one of these, make sure at least one nearby tree provides pollen.
How should you plant and site a persimmon?
Persimmons like full sun and deep, well drained soil. Planting is usually done while the tree is dormant, or in spring after hard freezes. Deep taproots mean trees resent being moved later, so choose the final spot carefully.
Hardiness zones describe winter minimums only, so check local frost dates too. A young tree may need protection through its first winter in a cold area.
Persimmons are tolerant of a range of soils, but heavy wet clay causes trouble. Amend or raise the planting area if drainage is poor, guided by a soil test.
- Choose full sun
- Pick the final spot carefully, as taproots resent moving
- Protect young trees in cold winters
How and when should you prune?
Prune lightly during the dormant season to open the center and remove dead or crossing wood. Persimmons fruit on new growth from last year's wood, so heavy pruning can reduce the crop. Remove shoots that crowd the center and keep the tree to a size you can pick.
Thin heavy fruit sets to avoid limb breakage and alternate bearing, where a heavy year is followed by a light one.
Because persimmons ripen late, harvest crews and storage space are often not an issue. A small tree will give a steady supply over a few weeks.
When are persimmons ready to pick?
Fruit color deepens to orange or red, depending on variety. Non-astringent types are often picked when fully colored but still firm, while astringent types are picked soft or allowed to ripen fully.
Taste a single fruit before the main pick. Snip fruit with a short piece of stem to avoid tearing the skin. Store according to your extension guidance.
Dried persimmons are popular, but drying has food safety guidelines. Use tested procedures from the National Center for Home Food Preservation or extension.
- Know your type before picking
- Taste one fruit first
- Snip with a short piece of stem
What pests and problems should you expect?
Persimmons are fairly free of serious problems in many regions, but fruit drop, leaf spots, scale insects and wildlife can appear. Healthy, well watered trees handle most stress well.
This guide offers no product names or rates. Consult your extension office for the current guide, follow label directions, observe pre-harvest intervals and protect pollinators. For drying or preserving persimmons, use tested procedures from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Keep fallen fruit cleaned up in the weeks after harvest, because it attracts insects and wildlife.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 2026. Educational information, ranges only. Confirm timing with your county extension office.