Saijo Persimmon (Diospyros kaki ‘Saijo’)
Saijo is one of those fruit trees that feels almost “too good to be true” once you’ve tasted it at peak ripeness. The tree itself is calm and beautiful—an easy, deciduous shape with clean leaves and a tidy habit—but in fall it becomes a lantern-maker, hanging fruit like warm orange ornaments just as the season starts to cool.
This is an astringent persimmon type, which means the fruit needs to fully ripen (soften) before it becomes sweet. When it’s ready, Saijo turns silky and honeyed, with that deep persimmon richness that makes people fall in love with Diospyros kaki. It’s also a favorite for drying (think “hoshigaki”-style) because the sugars concentrate into something that tastes like dessert.
In Florida planting zone 9, persimmons can be a very satisfying food forest fruit: give them sun, decent drainage, and a mulch-and-compost routine, and they’ll usually reward you with reliable production once established.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Diospyros kaki ‘Saijo’ |
|---|---|
| Family Name: | Ebenaceae (Ebony family) |
| Common Name(s): | Saijo Persimmon, Japanese Persimmon, Caqui (persimmon) |
| Size: | Typically 10–20 ft tall (often kept smaller with pruning); similar spread |
| Plant Type: | Deciduous fruit tree (perennial) |
| Florida Status: | Florida Friendly (commonly grown fruit tree; not Florida native) |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Species is native to East Asia; ‘Saijo’ is a cultivated selection grown in warm-temperate to subtropical regions |
| Native to: | East Asia (species origin) |
| Planted range in the USA: | Home orchards across the Southeast, Gulf states, parts of Texas, and milder West Coast areas |
| Conservation Status: | Not applicable (cultivated fruit tree) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Plant in late winter through spring so roots establish before peak summer heat; choose a well-drained site |
|---|---|
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun (best fruiting); tolerates light partial shade with reduced production |
| Soil Type: | Loam to sandy loam with good drainage; avoid waterlogged spots (raised planting can help) |
| Soil pH: | 6.0 to 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate; consistent moisture helps fruit sizing, but avoid soggy soil (especially in summer rains) |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Moderate; focus on building soil with compost and mulch. Use a balanced fertilizer lightly if growth is weak—too much nitrogen can push leafy growth at the expense of fruit. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Light to moderate; shape young trees for structure, remove crossing branches, and keep height manageable for harvesting |
| Growth Rate: | Medium (about 12–24 inches per year once established, depending on water, fertility, and rootstock) |
| Companion Planting: | Pairs well with living mulches and nitrogen-fixers that feed the soil and reduce weed pressure under the canopy |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Moderate once established; drought can reduce fruit size and increase drop—mulch helps a lot |
|---|---|
| Frost Tolerance: | Moderate to high once established; many Diospyros kaki cultivars tolerate roughly 0°F to 10°F (−18°C to −12°C) with variability by rootstock, tree age, and freeze duration |
| Heat Tolerance: | High; can handle hot summers. With irrigation and mulch, it can tolerate 100°F (38°C) and sometimes higher short-term |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; protect young trees from strong wind and stake if needed until roots anchor |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low; avoid direct coastal salt spray and saline soils |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Typically 7–10 (often grown in warm microclimates and protected sites) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Persimmon (fleshy berry-like fruit) |
|---|---|
| Harvest Time: |
Fall (often Oct–Nov in Florida zone 9). Harvest when fruit is fully colored and begins to soften; Saijo is best when very soft/jelly-like (or harvested colored and then allowed to soften indoors).
“Ready” test: the fruit should yield easily to gentle pressure and lose its mouth-drying astringency. For drying, harvest fully colored fruit that is still firm enough to peel.
|
| Fruit Description: | Orange, astringent type; intensely sweet when fully ripe/soft. Excellent fresh at full softness or dried for concentrated sweetness |
| Edible Plant: | Yes (fruit) |
| Edible Parts: | Fruit flesh (peel is sometimes eaten when fully ripe, but many prefer peeled fruit) |
| Medicinal: | Not a primary medicinal plant; fruit is valued as a nutrient-dense food (traditional uses vary) |
| Flower Color: | Creamy-white to pale yellow |
| Flower Shape: | Small, bell-like blossoms |
| Fragrance: | Mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | Spring (typically March–May depending on weather) |
| Bloom Duration: | Several weeks |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Often sets fruit without pollination (seedless fruit possible). Some trees/cultivars benefit from cross-pollination for heavier sets or seeded fruit—results vary by cultivar and site |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees during bloom; birds and other wildlife may target ripe fruit late in the season |
|---|---|
| Pollinators: | Bees and small native pollinators |
| Problematic Pest: | Typically moderate pest pressure, but can see scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, stink bugs, and fruit-feeding wildlife depending on location. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic |
|---|---|
| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; unripe astringent fruit can be extremely unpleasant to eat |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not typically toxic; monitor pets around fallen fruit if they tend to overeat |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Leaf spots, anthracnose/fruit rots in humid conditions, and root issues in poorly drained sites—prioritize airflow, sanitation, and drainage |
Companion Planting
For Diospyros kaki ‘Saijo’ (Saijo Persimmon), the best companions are plants that (1) protect the soil, (2) add fertility and organic matter, and (3) attract beneficial insects—without crowding the trunk. Think: living mulch beyond the trunk ring, biomass producers for chop-and-drop, and pollinator plants around the dripline.
Florida Native: Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing groundcover; supports pollinators and helps fill sunny gaps under and around young trees.
Use: Use as a living mulch outside the trunk’s clear ring to build soil and reduce weeds.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Excellent pollinator support and weed suppression; helps reduce soil splash that can spread disease.
Use: Let it run in paths and orchard edges near persimmon rows (edge for a cleaner look).
Florida Native: American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Zone Range: 6–10
Benefits: Adds biodiversity and beneficial insect habitat; can serve as a soft “orchard edge” shrub.
Use: Plant on the perimeter where it won’t shade the persimmon canopy heavily.
Florida Friendly: Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Living mulch + nitrogen-fixer; reduces mowing and builds a healthier soil floor over time.
Use: Plant from the dripline outward; keep a clear mulch ring right at the trunk.
Florida Friendly: Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan)
Zone Range: 9–11 (often grown as an annual in cooler zones)
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixer and biomass machine for chop-and-drop; can provide light wind buffering early on.
Use: Plant near (not on top of) the tree and prune hard to prevent shading while feeding mulch to the root zone.
Florida Friendly: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Provides mulch material and a tidy border; clumps help define beds and reduce weed intrusion.
Use: Plant as a border line around the guild and harvest regularly to keep it from crowding.
Keep the trunk area clear (no groundcover touching bark). Mulch wide, water deeply during establishment, and use nitrogen-fixers as “support plants” you can prune back for free mulch. In humid weather, prioritize airflow— it’s one of the best disease-prevention tools you have.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS Extension (Solutions for Your Life) — Florida-oriented home fruit and landscape best practices (watering, establishment, pruning principles).
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for general fruit-tree care, pests, and diseases in Florida conditions.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — sustainable, water-wise landscaping guidance that pairs well with food forest guild design.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework for planting suitability.
- USDA PLANTS Database — taxonomy and naming reference for verifying scientific names.
- NC State Extension (content library) — general temperate fruit guidance (training/pruning and orchard care concepts that translate well to persimmons).