Description
Sweet Fuyu is a non-astringent Asian persimmon (Diospyros kaki) known for setting the standard for firm-eating persimmons. Unlike soft-ripe types, Fuyu can be harvested and enjoyed while still crisp, offering dependable sweetness without any astringency.
“Sweet” is a supplier branding term rather than a separate cultivar—this is the classic Fuyu persimmon growers know and trust. Its flattened, tomato-shaped fruit ripens mid-season and appeals to a wide range of tastes, making it one of the most approachable persimmons for home orchards.
Overview
- Non-astringent Asian persimmon (firm-eating).
- Mid-season ripening.
- Sweet, mild flavor with crisp texture.
- Flattened, tomato-shaped fruit.
- Self-fertile.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Diospyros kaki ‘Fuyu’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Rootstock: 1-gallon trees on American persimmon seedling; larger sizes on Diospyros lotus
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 7
Chill Hours: Approximately 200 hours
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 10–15 ft tall and wide; easily maintained smaller with routine pruning
Bloom Time: Late spring
Ripening Time: Mid-season
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pests & Diseases: Generally low-pressure; good airflow and drainage reduce issues
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Fuyu is the reference point for firm-eating persimmons—many newer varieties are judged by how they compare to it.
- Regional Insight: Performs well in regions with warm summers and moderate winters, where fruit can fully color and sweeten before fall cool-down.
- This is a firm-eating persimmon: fruit can be enjoyed crisp, or allowed to soften slightly for a milder texture.
- Explore more Asian persimmons in our collection: Asian Persimmons
