🍊 Persimmon Tree
Diospyros virginiana / kaki
Tree
☀️ Sun
Full sun (6+ hours)
💧 Water
Low to moderate; very drought-tolerant once established
🗺️ Zones
4–11 (American); 7–10 (Asian/Japanese)
📏 Spacing
15–20 ft (Asian); 30–50 ft (American)
📐 Height
12–20 ft (Asian); 35–50 ft (American)
🧪 Soil pH
6.5–7.5
⏱️ Maturity
3–5 years (Asian grafted); 6–10 years (American seedling)
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (9)
🤝 Clover
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Clover grow well together.
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Borage grow well together.
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Marigold grow well together.
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Calendula grow well together.
🤝 Mint
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Mint grow well together.
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Chives grow well together.
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Comfrey grow well together.
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Yarrow grow well together.
🤝 Another Persimmon (pollinator)
Good companion — Persimmon Tree and Another Persimmon (pollinator) grow well together.
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Grass (turf)
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
⚠️ Walnut
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
⚠️ Invasive grasses
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
📝 Growing Notes
Persimmons are remarkably low-maintenance trees that benefit from nitrogen-fixing clovers and pollinator-attracting herbs in their guild. Most Japanese varieties need both a male and female tree (ratio 1:8) for good fruit set. American persimmons are native woodland-edge trees that integrate beautifully into multi-strata food forests.