In avocado cultivation, Hass is a Type A flowering variety, so it benefits from being planted near a Type B avocado variety to improve cross-pollination and potentially increase fruit set. Although Hass can self-pollinate, many growers report higher yields when a compatible Type B variety is nearby, especially where bee activity is good.
1. Fuerte
- Flower type: B
- Origin: Mexico × Guatemala hybrid
- Fruit: Pear-shaped, green skin that stays green when ripe
- Flavor: Rich, creamy, slightly nutty
- Best for: Excellent pollinizer for Hass
- Climate: Mild subtropical; tolerates cooler temperatures than Hass
2. Bacon
- Flower type: B
- Fruit: Medium-sized with smooth green skin
- Flavor: Mild and buttery
- Advantages:
- Cold hardy (down to about -4°C to -5°C / 23–25°F for mature trees)
- Produces abundant pollen
- Commonly used as a pollinizer in commercial orchards.
3. Zutano
- Flower type: B
- Fruit: Glossy green skin, lower oil content
- Flavor: Light and less creamy than Hass
- Advantages:
- Vigorous grower
- Excellent pollen producer
- Widely planted as a pollinizer
4. Sir Prize
- Flower type: B
- Fruit: Similar appearance to Hass but larger
- Flavor: Rich and creamy
- Advantages:
- Good pollination partner
- Better cold tolerance than Hass
- High-quality fruit
5. Ettinger
- Flower type: B
- Origin: Israel
- Fruit: Green, smooth skin
- Flavor: Mild and creamy
- Less common outside the Middle East and Europe.
6. Sharwil
- Flower type: B
- Origin: Australia
- Fruit: Green, rough skin
- Flavor: Exceptionally rich and buttery
- Considered one of the highest-quality tasting avocados.
Flowering Types Explained
| Type A (Hass) | Type B |
|---|---|
| Female in the morning | Female in the afternoon |
| Male in the afternoon (next day) | Male in the morning (next day) |
This complementary flowering pattern increases the chance of pollen transfer between trees.
Best Pollinizers for Hass
For home gardens, the best Type B companions are:
- Fuerte ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Sir Prize ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Bacon ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
- Zutano ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
The tropical climate means avocado flowers often do not follow the classic Type A/Type B timing as precisely because warm temperatures can cause male and female flower phases to overlap. As a result:
- Hass can often produce fruit without a Type B partner.
- However, planting a Type B variety can still improve fruit set in many locations.
- Local avocado cultivars that bloom at the same time as Hass may also serve as effective pollen sources, even if their flowering type has not been formally documented.
For Philippine conditions, Fuerte is generally considered the most suitable Type B companion to Hass because it adapts well to many subtropical and tropical highland environments and has a long history of use as a pollinizer.