How to grow Nashi in New Zealand
Nashi, the Asian pear, grows throughout New Zealand and gives crisp, juicy fruit that ripens on the tree in March and April. Plant two varieties that flower together, or a double grafted tree, keep the blossom away from late frosts, and thin the fruit hard for good size.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Nashi (Asian Pear) in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | June to August | |
| Auckland | June to August | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | June to August | |
| Central North Island | June to August | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | June to August | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | June to August | |
| Canterbury | June to August | |
| Otago & Southland | June to August | |
| Central Otago | June to August | Plant bare rooted trees Jun to Aug, away from frost hollows. Late spring frosts can blacken the blossom and cost the crop. |
Not to be confused with: European pears such as Taylors Gold and Doyenne du Comice, which are picked firm and ripened indoors. See our Pear guide.
Where to plant
New Zealand nurseries such as Wairere describe Hosui and Nijisseiki as suited to growing throughout the country. Give the tree full sun on a well drained, sheltered site. The tree itself is frost hardy, but late spring frosts damage the blossom and reduce the crop, so avoid frost hollows, which matters most in Central Otago and inland Canterbury.
Fire blight is present in New Zealand and attacks pears, including nashi, in warm, wet weather at blossom time. Buy healthy trees from a reputable nursery and watch for it each spring.
- Northland and Auckland: grows well; choose Hosui and Nijisseiki, which are widely sold.
- Central Otago and inland Canterbury: plant away from frost hollows to protect the blossom.
Choosing a variety
- Hosui: large golden brown fruit, sweet and juicy with a good acid balance and fine texture, ripe in March and April. It sets some fruit alone, but Nijisseiki alongside gives much better crops.
- Nijisseiki: medium greenish yellow fruit with very juicy, crisp white flesh, ripe in March and April, and the usual partner for Hosui.
- A double grafted tree, with two varieties on one trunk, pollinates itself and suits small gardens.
How to plant
- Plant bare rooted trees in winter while dormant, after soaking the roots for an hour.
- Dig a hole wider than the roots and set the tree at the depth it grew in the nursery, graft union above the soil.
- Backfill, firm and water in well. Space standard trees about 4 m apart.
- Stake young trees on exposed sites and mulch the root zone, keeping mulch off the trunk.
Watering and feeding
Water young trees through their first two summers. Water established trees deeply in dry spells while the fruit swells, as drought gives small fruit.
Feed in late winter or early spring with compost and a balanced fruit tree fertiliser; too much nitrogen gives soft growth that fire blight attacks easily.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune in winter to build a strong framework and keep the tree open to light. Nashi fruit on long lived spurs, so keep healthy spurs.
- Thin the fruit soon after it sets to one per cluster, about 15 to 20 cm apart, for good sized fruit.
- In spring, watch for blackened, scorched looking blossoms and shoots, the sign of fire blight, and cut them out well below the damage into healthy wood, cleaning the blades between cuts.
- Net against birds as the fruit colours.
Harvesting
Hosui and Nijisseiki ripen in March and April. Nashi ripen on the tree, so pick when the skin reaches its full colour and the fruit lifts off with a gentle twist, then eat them crisp.
They keep for several weeks in the fridge, longer than most tree fruit.
Growing in pots
Grow a double grafted dwarf tree in a pot at least 50 cm wide, in quality potting mix, and water often in summer.
Using it
Eat nashi fresh and crisp, slice them into salads, or grate them into Korean style marinades for beef. They also poach well.
Companion planting
Keep grass back from the trunk; flowering groundcovers under the canopy bring in bees at blossom time.
Good companions
- Nasturtium A groundcover that shades the soil and feeds bees.
- Chives Flowers bring in bees.
- Comfrey Its leaves make a mineral rich mulch.
- Marigold Brings hoverflies and other helpful insects.
- Garlic
Keep apart
Avoid planting these close to nashi.
- Walnut Walnut roots and leaves release juglone, which harms many plants nearby.
Pests and diseases
Fire blight is the most serious problem in warm, wet springs. Codling moth and leafroller damage the fruit.
Pests to watch for
- Codling moth A grub tunnels to the core, leaving a hole with brown frass.
- Leafroller Small caterpillars that web leaves to the fruit and graze the skin.
- Pear slug Small, dark, slimy larvae that skeletonise the leaves in summer.
- Birds Pecked fruit as it colours.
Diseases to watch for
- Fire blight Blossoms and shoot tips wilt and turn black as if scorched, with shoot tips bent like a shepherd's crook.
Common questions
Do nashi need a pollinator in New Zealand?
They crop far better with one. Plant Hosui with Nijisseiki, or buy a double grafted tree with both varieties on one trunk.
When are nashi ripe?
Hosui and Nijisseiki ripen in March and April. Pick when the skin reaches full colour and the fruit lifts off easily, and eat them crisp.
Will nashi grow in the North Island?
Yes. Hosui and Nijisseiki are sold as suited to the whole country, Northland included.
Why did my nashi blossom turn black?
A late frost or fire blight. Frost browns the open flowers overnight; fire blight blackens blossoms and shoot tips over days in warm, wet weather and should be cut out.
Why is my nashi fruit small?
Usually too many fruit. Thin to one fruit per cluster soon after fruit set, and water well while the fruit swells.
Sources we checked: Wairere Nursery: Nashi; The Plant Company: Nashi Hosui.