Also known as Persimmon · 46 gardener saves
Diospyros: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Diospyros, the genus most gardeners know as persimmon. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Diospyros varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedAmerican Persimmon
Diospyros virginiana
#2 most savedFuyu Persimmon
Diospyros kaki 'Fuyu Imoto'
#3 most savedJapanese Persimmon
Diospyros kaki
Izu Persimmon
Diospyros kaki 'Izu'
Hachiya Persimmon
Diospyros kaki 'Hachiya'
How to grow Diospyros
What the Diospyros varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
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 46 real gardener saves — 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.
Keep exploring
Design with Diospyros in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
