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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🥑 ‘Mexicola Grande’ Avocado (Persea americana) — Edible Skin, High Oil, Cold-Hardy Classic 🌿
A beloved Mexican-race avocado with paper-thin, edible skin and rich, nutty flavor. ‘Mexicola Grande’ is a larger selection of ‘Mexicola’—about 15–25% bigger fruit—and one of the hardiest avocados you can grow. Perfect for gardeners pushing the avocado line into cooler edges of the South and Gulf Coast.
SHIPS AS A 3-GALLON PLANT
🌟 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Persea americana (Mexican race), ‘Mexicola Grande’ |
| Plant Type | Evergreen fruit tree (grafted) |
| Sale Size | 3-gallon container |
| Mature Size | 25–30 ft unpruned; maintain 12–15 ft with pruning |
| USDA Zones | 8b–11 (protect young trees in 8b/9a) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun (6–8+ hrs daily) |
| Cold Hardiness | Tolerates ~18°F when mature (among the hardiest avocados) |
| Growth Habit | Upright to spreading, medium vigor; evergreen (older leaves shed before spring flush) |
| Spacing Requirements | 18–25 ft from other trees or buildings |
| Flower Type | Type A (self-fertile; higher yield with nearby Type-B variety) |
| Leaf Trait | Anise-scented, glossy deep-green leaves (classic Mexican-race signature), striking even in cut bouquets |
| Propagation Use | Excellent top-working or grafting stock due to vigorous growth and cold-hardy root system |
🍐 Fruit & Harvest Details
- Size & Appearance: Large, purple-black fruit with a paper-thin, edible skin — no peeling required.
- Flavor & Texture: Silky, rich, and nutty with high oil content and smooth flesh.
- Yield & Quality: Consistent annual producer; fruit ripens evenly and resists bruising.
- Season (by region):
- Texas / Warm Gulf: July–August
- Florida (Central/South): August–October
- California (Coastal/Inland): September–December
- Culinary Appeal: The thin edible skin and creamy texture make this cultivar perfect for salads, guacamole, avocado toast, and gourmet plating.
🌿 Why Grow ‘Mexicola Grande’?
- Cold-Hardy Powerhouse: Withstands brief dips to 18°F, making it ideal for growers in Zones 8b–9b.
- Edible Skin: Smooth, paper-thin, and flavorful — adds texture and color to dishes.
- High Oil Content: Rich, nutty flavor for that authentic “avocado butter” taste.
- Fragrant Foliage: Subtle anise aroma and deep-green leaves add ornamental and aromatic value.
- Versatile Use: Upright, vigorous structure makes it great for top-working and grafting projects.
- Beautiful Landscape Tree: Glossy evergreen foliage contrasts beautifully in tropical or Mediterranean-style plantings.
📍 Where to Plant
- Best Location: Full sun and well-drained soil are essential.
- Avoid: Standing water, heavy clay, or deep shade.
- In Florida or humid climates: Plant on a 2–3 ft mound to improve root aeration and reduce disease risk.
- Wind Protection: Young trees benefit from a sheltered microclimate during establishment.
🌱 GreenDreams “High & Tight” Planting Method
1️⃣ Set the root flare (where the trunk meets roots) at or slightly above ground level.
2️⃣ Backfill with native soil, tamping it tight to remove air pockets.
3️⃣ Water deeply to settle roots.
4️⃣ Apply 2–4 inches of mulch around the drip line — but keep mulch off the trunk to prevent crown rot.
5️⃣ Top-dress with compost, biochar, and azomite for organic mineral balance.
▶️ Watch our planting video: GreenDreams “High & Tight” Tree Planting Tutorial
Why This Matters: Avocado roots require oxygen and can’t tolerate waterlogging. Planting high ensures excellent drainage and prevents crown or root rot, the #1 killer of young avocado trees.
💧 Watering, Feeding & Pruning
- Watering: Daily for 1 week → every 2–3 days for 1 month → deep weekly thereafter.
- Fertilizing: Light, frequent feedings with organic tropical fruit fertilizer 3–4 times per year. Avoid synthetic fertilizers that burn roots.
- Pruning: Maintain 12–15 ft for manageable size; prune after harvest to promote branching.
- Winter Care: Water before cold events, mulch generously, and cover young trees during frosts.
🪴 Container Growing
- Ideal for marginal zones (8b/9a): Start in a 15–25 gal pot using a mix of compost, pine bark fines, and coarse sand.
- Sunlight: Keep in full sun outdoors; bring under protection if hard freezes threaten.
- Maintenance: Annual pruning keeps it compact (8–12 ft).
- Transitioning: Once the rootball fills the container and holds moisture evenly, transplant to ground using “High & Tight” principles.
🌼 Companion & Support Guild Plants (Available at GreenDreams!)
- Nitrogen-Fixers: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan), Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata), Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea).
- Pollinator Plants: Firebush (Hamelia patens), Porterweed (Stachytarpheta spp.), African Blue Basil.
- Aesthetic Companions: Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Gingers, and Fakahatchee Grass (Tripsacum dactyloides) for a lush, tropical look.
Culinary Uses
- Skin-On Slices: The edible skin adds color and fiber to dishes.
- Guacamole & Dips: Naturally creamy, rich, and flavorful.
- Salads & Bowls: Enhances texture and presentation.
- Smoothies & Spreads: Add healthy fats for richness and depth.
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Likely Cause | 🌿 Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Yellowing Leaves | 💦 Overwatering or poor drainage | Replant “High & Tight”; allow drying between deep waterings. |
| 🪲 Bronzed or Speckled Leaves | 🐛 Avocado lace bug | Use organic insecticidal soap; encourage beneficials like ladybugs. |
| ❄️ Leaf or Branch Burn | 🌬️ Wind or cold exposure | Water before cold events; protect with frost cloth. |
| 🍃 Fruit Drop | 🐝 Low pollination or cool bloom temps | Add a Type-B avocado nearby (like ‘Brogdon’) to boost fruit set. |
| 💀 Root Rot | 💦 Standing water or deep planting | Plant high; ensure fast drainage and no mulch on trunk. |
⚠️ Cautions
- Do not bury the trunk — causes crown rot and decline.
- Avoid overwatering; ensure soil dries slightly between waterings.
- Protect young trees from hard frost until well established.
- Thin-skinned fruits bruise easily — handle gently when harvesting.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Growers in Zones 8b–11
- Anyone seeking an edible-skin avocado with exceptional flavor
- Gardeners wanting a cold-tolerant, high-oil variety
- Container growers in cooler regions
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Heavy clay or waterlogged soils
- Areas below Zone 8b without frost protection
- Low-light indoor spaces
🚚 Shipping & Handling
- Best for Shipping: Florida, Southeast & Texas.
- Nationwide shipping available, but plants sent to northern/western states may need recovery time after transit.
- Shipping Schedule: Mondays via UPS Ground from Florida.
- Weather Advisory: Buyer discretion recommended during temperature extremes. GreenDreams is not responsible for heat or freeze damage during transit.
Local Pickup
🚜 GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
🌾 18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | 🌞 Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Stop by our regenerative nursery to see what’s blooming this week! 🌸
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
We don’t just grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🚜 Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soils
- 🌾 Wholesale & regenerative solutions
Let our team help you create your thriving edible paradise — starting with ‘Mexicola Grande’ Avocado!
🌿 Choose the Right Avocado for Your Climate, Taste & Space
From the cold-hardy ‘Brogdon’ to the tropical giants like ‘Monroe’ and ‘Choquette’, GreenDreams offers cultivars for every grower.
Use the chart below to find your perfect match — based on cold tolerance, flavor, harvest season, and growth habit.
| 🌳 Cultivar | 🔤 Type | ❄️ Cold Tolerance | 🍽️ Flavor / Texture | 🗓️ Harvest Window (FL) | 📏 Growth Habit | 🌟 Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟣 Brogdon | Type B | 🧊 22°F | 🥑 Nutty, creamy | Jul–Sep | 🌳 20–25 ft | Purple skin, cold-hardy Florida heirloom |
| 🌿 Day | Type A | ❄️ 24°F | 🧈 Mild, buttery | Jul–Aug | 🌿 12–18 ft | Compact, early harvest, great for containers |
| ⚫ Mexicola | Type A | 🧊 18°F | 🌰 High-oil, edible skin | Aug–Sep | 🌳 10–15 ft | Most cold-hardy; edible black skin |
| 🟢 Lula | Type A | ❄️ 26°F | 🧈 Buttery, high-oil | Nov–Jan | 🌳 25–30 ft | Late-season, great pollinator |
| 💚 Monroe | Type B | ❄️ 26°F | 🥑 Creamy, mild | Nov–Feb | 🌲 30+ ft | Vigorous, late harvest, heavy yield |
| 💧 Choquette | Type A | ❄️ 28°F | 🥗 Mild, smooth | Oct–Dec | 🌲 30+ ft | Huge fruit, great for slicing & salads |
| 🖤 Florida Hass | Type A | ❄️ 25°F | 🥑 Classic Hass flavor | Sep–Nov | 🌳 Medium | “Hass look,” adapted for Florida |
| 🌱 Wurtz (Little Cado) | Type A | ❄️ 26°F | 🧈 Creamy, mild | May–Sep | 🌿 8–10 ft | Dwarf size, perfect for pots |
| 🟤 Joey | Type B | 🧊 15–18°F | 🌰 Rich, nutty | Aug–Oct | 🌳 Compact | Ultra-cold-hardy Texas selection |
| 🟡 Fantastic | Type A | 🧊 15°F | 🧈 Smooth, buttery | Jul–Aug | 🌿 Small | Coldest-hardy variety, reliable producer |
| 🟢 Brazos Belle | Type B | ❄️ 20°F | 🥑 Rich, nutty | Aug–Oct | 🌳 Medium | Cold-hardy Texas selection |
| 🌴 Kampong | Type A | ❄️ 28°F | 🍐 Mild, low-oil | Oct–Dec | 🌲 Vigorous | Rare tropical collector’s tree |
| 🌞 Catalina | Type A | ❄️ 26°F | 🧈 Buttery, light | Jul–Aug | 🌳 Medium | Early-season Cuban classic |
| 🌿 Donnie | Type A | ❄️ 28°F | 🥗 Mild, light | May–Jun | 🌲 Large | Very early fruiter, light flavor |
| 🟤 Bacon | Type B | ❄️ 24°F | 🥑 Mild, pleasant | Nov–Jan | 🌳 Medium | Excellent pollinator, winter fruit |
| 🎃 Marcus Pumpkin | Type B | ❄️ 24°F | 🧈 Creamy, mild | Nov–Feb | 🌳 Medium | Unique round fruit; showy shape |
| ⚫ Maria Black | Type A | ❄️ 25°F | 🥑 Creamy, rich | Aug–Oct | 🌳 Medium | Dark skin, balanced flavor |
| 🌿 Talpeno | Type B | 🧊 23°F | 🧈 Buttery, high-oil | Aug–Sep | 🌳 Medium | Cold-hardy hybrid, reliable yields |
| ❤️ Thompson Red | Type A | ❄️ 26°F | 🌰 Nutty, smooth | Sep–Nov | 🌳 Medium | Red blush skin, ornamental appeal |
| 💚 Victoria | Type A | ❄️ 24°F | 🧈 Smooth, buttery | Jul–Sep | 🌳 Medium | Heat-tolerant, compact, productive |
🌎 Regional Recommendations
🧊 Best for Cold Climates (Zones 8b–9a):
‘Brogdon’ • ‘Mexicola’ • ‘Day’ • ‘Fantastic’ • ‘Joey’ • ‘Brazos Belle’
🌞 Best for Warm & Tropical Zones (9b–11):
‘Lula’ • ‘Monroe’ • ‘Choquette’ • ‘Marcus Pumpkin’ • ‘Florida Hass’ • ‘Kampong’
🪴 Best for Containers & Small Spaces:
‘Wurtz (Little Cado)’ • ‘Day’ • ‘Mexicola’
🥑 Harvest Calendar by Season (Florida)
| 🗓️ Season | 🌾 Early | 🌿 Mid | 🍂 Late |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (May–Jun) | Donnie | – | – |
| Summer (Jul–Sep) | Day • Brogdon • Mexicola • Talpeno • Victoria | Florida Hass | – |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | Maria Black • Choquette | Monroe | Thompson Red |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Lula • Marcus Pumpkin • Bacon | – | – |
🌱 Pollination Pairing Guide
| 🅰️ Type A Varieties | 🅱️ Type B Varieties | 🌼 Suggested Pairs |
|---|---|---|
| Day, Lula, Choquette, Florida Hass, Wurtz, Mexicola, Victoria, Florida Hass | Brogdon, Monroe, Bacon, Talpeno, Marcus Pumpkin, Joey, Brazos Belle | Brogdon × Day / Monroe × Lula / Talpeno × Florida Hass |
✅ Tip: Plant one Type A and one Type B avocado within 20–30 feet to boost pollination and overall fruit yield.
💚 Pro Tip from GreenDreams
Want fresh avocados year-round?
Plant a trio for staggered harvests:
🌱 Early: ‘Day’ or ‘Donnie’
🥑 Mid: ‘Brogdon’ or ‘Florida Hass’
🍂 Late: ‘Monroe’ or ‘Lula’
With smart selection, your backyard can supply creamy, Florida-grown avocados for 8+ months every year! 🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
