How to Grow Avocado Bacon

Avocado Bacon

Persea americana 'Bacon'

tree

Avocado Bacon is a medium-sized avocado cultivar known for its smaller fruit, higher oil content, and ability to set fruit with less intense heat requirements than Hass. The tree is more cold-hardy and produces reliable yields of creamy, flavorful avocados with thin, pliable skin.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours minimum daily; more sun promotes better flowering and fruit set

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Water: Deep watering 1-2 times per week in growing season; reduce in winter. Avoid waterlogging. Soil should dry slightly between waterings. Mature trees are moderately drought-tolerant but produce better with consistent moisture.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 1080-1440 days (3-4 years from transplant to first significant harvest)

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Planting depth: Plant at same depth as root ball; top of root ball should be level with or slightly above soil surface

Soil

Type: Well-draining, sandy loam or loamy soil; excellent drainage is critical

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention Perlite or coarse sand for drainage Compost for organic matter Avoid heavy clay soils

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 8b-10b; more cold-tolerant than many avocado varieties, surviving temperatures down to 15-18°F

8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Nursery/Young Tree

6-12 months

Newly planted sapling with thin stems, minimal branching, and small leaves; tree is establishing root system

Stake for wind protection. Water regularly to establish roots. Fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer. Prune lightly to encourage branching.

Vegetative Growth

1-2 years

Tree develops multiple branches and a fuller canopy; rapid stem and leaf expansion with dark green foliage

Continue regular watering and feeding. Apply mulch around base (3-4 inches, keeping away from trunk). Prune to shape form and remove crossing branches. Monitor for pests.

Flowering

4-8 weeks

Small, inconspicuous greenish-yellow flowers appear in clusters; flowering typically occurs in spring (Feb-April in Southern California)

Maintain consistent watering during bloom. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer to encourage fruit set over vegetative growth. Provide adequate pollinator access. Bacon is a Type B flowering tree (afternoon flowers).

Fruit Development

6-8 months

Small green fruits emerge and gradually enlarge over 6-8 months; skin remains dark green and pliable even when ripe

Thin fruit to 1 fruit per 10-15 inches of branch to promote larger individual fruits. Continue consistent watering. Apply potassium-rich fertilizer to support fruit quality.

Harvest

Variable; harvest throughout season

Mature avocados reach 5-6 ounces; skin yields slightly to pressure when fully ripe. Fruit may remain on tree for extended period

Harvest by cutting fruit with 1-2 inches of stem attached. Fruit ripens off-tree in 3-5 days at room temperature. Store in cool place to delay ripening.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Alliums (onions, garlic, chives) Nasturtiums Marigolds Borage Comfrey Legumes (nitrogen-fixing)

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (juglone toxicity) Eucalyptus Fennel Dill Other avocado varieties requiring cross-pollination in same location without adequate space

Common Pests

Spray with horticultural oil or neem oil in early morning. Encourage natural predators. Remove heavily infested leaves.
Increase humidity and water misting. Apply sulfur spray or miticide if severe. Regular monitoring of leaf undersides.
Prune infested branch tips. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use sticky traps to monitor populations.
Prune heavily infested branches. Apply horticultural oil in dormant season. Introduce natural enemies like ladybugs.
Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering. Improve soil aeration. Remove affected roots. Consider fungicide treatment in severe cases.

Uses

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Fresh eating and spreads

Culinary

Bacon avocados have creamy, rich flesh ideal for guacamole, avocado toast, salads, and sandwiches. Their higher oil content provides exceptional flavor and smooth texture compared to other varieties. [source]

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Oil production

Culinary

The high oil content (15-17% by weight) makes Bacon avocados suitable for cold-pressing into gourmet avocado oil for culinary applications. [source]

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Heart-healthy fats and nutrients

Medicinal

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, potassium, and vitamin E, supporting cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation. The fruit contains bioactive compounds like lutein that support eye health. [source]

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Natural skincare

Household

Avocado flesh can be mashed and used in homemade face masks and moisturizing treatments due to its high fat and vitamin content. [source]

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Seed and pit uses

Household

Avocado pits can be dried, ground, and used in composting or natural dye production. The pit contains compounds with potential antimicrobial properties. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Avocado Bacon fruits mature November through March in California (harvest season varies by location). Pick fruit when it separates easily from branch with gentle twist or by cutting. Fruit does not ripen on tree; harvest when mature and allow to ripen indoors at room temperature for 3-5 days. Test ripeness by gentle pressure—flesh should yield slightly. Can leave fruit on tree for weeks if needed, extending harvest window.

Fun Facts

🌱 Avocado Bacon was developed at UC Riverside and is named after its crispy-like texture when ripe, not the inclusion of actual bacon.
🌱 Unlike the Hass variety, Bacon avocados have thin, tender skin that does not require protective peeling, making them easier to eat.
🌱 Avocado Bacon is a Type B flowering variety, meaning its flowers open in the afternoon; pairing with a Type A variety (like Fuerte) improves cross-pollination and fruit set.

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