Persimmon named newest Texas Superstar plant Low-maintenanc

Oriental persimmon, Diospyros kaki, is also known as Japanese persimmon. Trees grown in Texas are typically grafted onto rootstock from common American persimmon, Diospyros virginiana, a species native to the eastern U.S. that produces a far smaller fruit than its oriental counterpart.

Larry Stein, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, Uvalde, ranked persimmons among the most consistent, low-maintenance fruit tree for Texans. Aside from its super-sweet fruit, trees also present a strong accent feature in landscapes.

For Texas gardeners looking for a fruit tree that pulls its own weight — low maintenance, pest resistant and good-looking through every season, Stein said Oriental persimmons check every box.

“Persimmons are a great addition around the home,” he said. “They don’t require a lot of attention. Their glossy, dark green foliage provides some contrast in landscapes, and the super-sweet fruit is like icing on the cake for home gardeners.”

Get to know the Oriental persimmon

Stein said gardeners can choose from a number of persimmon options.

Oriental persimmon varieties fall into two categories: astringent and non-astringent. Astringent types that perform well in Texas include Eureka, Hachiya, Tani-nashi and Tamopan. These varieties must fully ripen — usually helped along by a stretch of cooler weather — before they’re palatable.

Non-astringent varieties, such as Fuyu, can be eaten as soon as they change color, without waiting for the fruit to soften.

Stein said gardeners sometimes confuse the oriental persimmon with the Texas persimmon, Diospyros texana. The native species produces a small purple fruit that’s edible but doesn’t compare to the size or quality of Oriental varieties. Improved varieties are not graft compatible with Diospyros texana.

Growing Oriental persimmon trees

The tree performs best in full sun, which produces the most fruit. It tolerates most soil types if the soil drains well and doesn’t hold standing water for more than about 12 hours.

Generally, a small tree, oriental persimmons reach 10-15 feet tall but can grow up to 40 feet depending on the variety and rootstock.

Fall to winter is the best time to plant, Stein said. Trees should be spaced 12-15 feet apart.

A low-maintenance edible landscape standout

Beyond its fruit, the Oriental persimmon earns its keep as an accent plant in the landscape. Dark, glossy green foliage sets off clusters of bright orange fruit each fall, giving the tree strong seasonal appeal even in situations where it isn’t grown primarily for harvest.

Its most outstanding trait, though, may be its resilience across Texas, Stein said. Oriental persimmon is largely free of major insect and disease problems, making it one of the lower-maintenance fruit trees Texas gardeners can add to a landscape.

“I’d say they’re more suited to Texas soil and weather conditions than any other fruit,” he said. “They tolerate locations you wouldn’t expect them to grow. Once they’re established, you can pretty much ignore them, and they’ll fruit.”

A nutritious and sweet treat for gardeners

Stein said Oriental persimmon varieties, especially astringent varieties, are incredibly sweet. Brix counts – the sugar content measurement in fruit – for non-astringent varieties routinely reach 15-18, while astringent varieties can reach 18-25 Brix. For context, watermelons that reach 11-12 Brix are considered extra sweet.

So, along with its ornamental value, persimmon fruit provides big, rich flavor and is high in vitamin A. This gives gardeners a tasty, nutritional payoff to pair with the tree’s good looks and easy care.

What makes a Texas Superstar?

The Texas Superstar designation is reserved for plants that have proven they can perform reliably under Texas growing conditions. Potential selections undergo years of field trials conducted by Texas A&M AgriLife Research and AgriLife Extension. Plants are evaluated for appearance, reliability and their ability to handle the widely varying soils, temperatures and growing conditions found across the state.

Texas Superstar is a registered trademark owned by AgriLife Research. Plants are designated by the Texas Superstar executive board, which comprises nine horticulture faculty and professionals from AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension, the Department of Horticultural Sciences and Texas Tech University in Lubbock.