There are 3 main species grown for fruit, Diospyros kaki - Persimmon, Diospyros lotus - Date Plum and Diospyros virginiana - American Persimmon

In general the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. When fully ripe the fruit has an exquisitely rich flavour something like apricot and mango, with 25% sugars. The fruit can range from 1.5cm diameter to about 7.5cm in diameter.

Prefers a good deep loamy soil in sun or light shade but succeeds in most soils. Dislikes very acid or wet and poorly drained soils. Requires a sheltered position. Dormant plants are quite hardy in Britain. A warm sunny location improves the chance of producing ripe fruit. Fruits are frequently produced outdoors at Kew. The young trees require some winter protection for their first winter or two.