🌰 Pistachio Tree
Pistacia vera
Tree
☀️ Sun
Full sun (8+ hours)
💧 Water
Low; very drought-tolerant; excessive moisture causes root rot
🗺️ Zones
7–11
📏 Spacing
25–30 ft
📐 Height
20–30 ft
🧪 Soil pH
6.0–7.5
⏱️ Maturity
5–7 years to first production; full crops at 15–20 years
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (6)
🤝 Clover
Good companion — Pistachio Tree and Clover grow well together.
Good companion — Pistachio Tree and Marigold grow well together.
Good companion — Pistachio Tree and Lavender grow well together.
Good companion — Pistachio Tree and Yarrow grow well together.
Good companion — Pistachio Tree and Comfrey grow well together.
🤝 Another Pistachio (male pollinator)
Good companion — Pistachio Tree and Another Pistachio (male pollinator) grow well together.
⚠️ Keep Apart (3)
⚠️ Competitive grass
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
⚠️ Walnut
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
⚠️ Poorly drained soils
Keep apart — these plants do not grow well together.
📝 Growing Notes
Pistachios require hot, dry summers and cold winters for proper vernalization and are among the most drought-tolerant of all nut trees. One male tree can pollinate 8–12 female trees via wind. Lavender and marigold companions attract pollinators and help repel soil nematodes, reducing the need for intervention.