Also known as Persimmon · 78 saves
Diospyros
Diospyros, the genus most gardeners know as persimmon. We track 5 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 5 most-saved Diospyros varieties
Species of Diospyros
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Diospyros in Sow
Save the Diospyros you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Diospyros
Whats common across all Diospyros varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them.
The Diospyros year
- PlantFebruary, March, October and November100% of varieties
Plant bare-root trees in late winter/early spring or container stock in fall.
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Prune while dormant to shape the canopy and thin branches for better fruit set.
- HarvestSeptember–November100% of varieties
Harvest fruit when fully colored and slightly soft, before hard frost.
- FertilizeMarch80% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring before bud break.
- MulchMarch60% of varieties
Refresh mulch layer in spring, keeping it away from the trunk.
Do
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 🌱
- Prune to maintain shape and remove dead branches
- Fertilize annually in early spring
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Monitor regularly for pests and diseases
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not prune excessively during the growing season
- Avoid planting in poorly drained soils
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Diospyros
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky honeydew and sooty mold on leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Aphids | Curled or distorted leaves with sticky residue | Use insecticidal soap or introduce natural predators |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing, speckled leaves | Use miticides or increase humidity |
| Scale Insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil organically, or use horticultural oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves, mushy roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering frequency |
| Leaf spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Root Rot | Wilting and browning of leaves | Improve drainage and avoid overwatering; use fungicides if necessary |
Making more Diospyros
Grafting
- Choose a healthy rootstock and scion, 6 weeks before planting.
- Make a clean cut on both scion and rootstock.
- Join the cambium layers and secure with grafting tape.
- Keep in a warm, humid environment for 4-6 weeks until healed.
Seeds
- Extract seeds from ripe fruit and clean thoroughly.
- Stratify seeds in moist soil for 8-12 weeks at 4°C.
- Plant in pots with well-draining soil in spring.
- Water regularly and provide full sun.
Diospyros questions
How many types of Diospyros are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Diospyros varieties. The most popular — ranked by 78 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Diospyros grow in?
Across its varieties, Diospyros covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Diospyros bloom?
Most Diospyros varieties bloom in late spring, mid-spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Diospyros should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.