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Common Persimmon

Diospyros virginiana

Last reviewed: October 2026

Common persimmon is a medium to large deciduous tree that blooms in May and June and does well in full sun across the warm, humid summers typical of the eastern and southeastern United States.

Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
Photo: no rights reserved

Toxicity unknown

Common Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Common Persimmon as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

180"–960" H × 240"–420" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 22 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, moths

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersEdwards PlateauTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontWestern Corn Belt PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

American persimmon is a medium to large native tree that produces edible orange fruits in fall. It has attractive glossy green leaves that turn yellow-orange in autumn and develops interesting blocky bark with age.

Growing Common Persimmon

Grow Common Persimmon in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 180 to 960 inches tall and spread 240 to 420 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Common Persimmon takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Fruit drop creates mess and attracts wildlife
  • Can sucker and spread aggressively
  • Very large mature size may overwhelm typical residential lots

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles, while the sweet fruits are highly valued by wildlife including birds, raccoons, and deer. The tree provides good nesting habitat and shade.

Common questions

How much sun does common persimmon need?
Common persimmon grows best in full sun but can also tolerate part sun to part shade, particularly while young.
How much water does common persimmon need?
This tree does well with medium moisture but handles dry spells once its root system is established.
When does common persimmon bloom?
Common persimmon flowers open in May and June, with small, fragrant blossoms appearing before the fruit develops.
What pollinates common persimmon flowers?
Bees and beetles visit common persimmon flowers and are its main pollinators.
What kind of growth habit does common persimmon have?
Common persimmon grows as a single trunked tree, often reaching medium to tall heights at maturity in open, sunny sites.
Is Common Persimmon toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Common Persimmon as toxic to livestock.
Is Common Persimmon HOA-friendly?
Common Persimmon takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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