Troubleshooting
Hass Avocado problems — and how to fix them
Hass Avocado (Persea americana 'Hass') is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Phytophthora root rot
The leading cause of avocado decline, driven by poor drainage and overwatering. Prevent with very free-draining soil, controlled watering and resistant rootstocks; once established it is hard to reverse.
Poor fruit set
'Hass' is type-A; a nearby type-B cultivar (e.g. 'Fuerte' or 'Bacon') and warm, calm weather at bloom greatly improve pollination and yield.
Leaf-tip burn from salts
Chloride and salt accumulation scorches leaf tips. Use low-salt water, leach pots periodically, and avoid letting the mix dry out completely.
Cold and frost damage
Tender below about -1 to -2°C; frost kills young growth and can damage the tree. Protect or bring under cover when temperatures fall.
Prevent hass avocado problems before they start
Most hass avocado issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for hass avocado in general rather than its problems? Read the full hass avocado care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Hass Avocado problems — FAQ
Why is my hass avocado phytophthora root rot?
The leading cause of avocado decline, driven by poor drainage and overwatering. Prevent with very free-draining soil, controlled watering and resistant rootstocks; once established it is hard to reverse.
Why is my hass avocado poor fruit set?
'Hass' is type-A; a nearby type-B cultivar (e.g. 'Fuerte' or 'Bacon') and warm, calm weather at bloom greatly improve pollination and yield.
Why is my hass avocado leaf-tip burn from salts?
Chloride and salt accumulation scorches leaf tips. Use low-salt water, leach pots periodically, and avoid letting the mix dry out completely.
Why is my hass avocado cold and frost damage?
Tender below about -1 to -2°C; frost kills young growth and can damage the tree. Protect or bring under cover when temperatures fall.