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Avocados are a delicious fruit and an ingredient in many dishes, including guacamole. Avocados are unique and come with a variety of health benefits, like lowering your cholesterol and improving your triglyceride levels. [1] X Research source Amazingly, you can grow this fantastic food with the seed that you would usually just discard. Avocados thrive in warm and humid climates and grow in zones 8 through 10. While a typical avocado tree can take a decade to mature, sprouting an avocado tree at home is pretty easy if you follow the right steps.
Steps
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Remove and clean an avocado seed. Cut your avocado in half, so it exposes the oval shaped seed in the middle. Use a utensil like a knife or a fork to extract the seed out of the avocado. Once the seed is removed, rinse it under warm water to remove all of the avocado fruit from it. [2] X Research source
- Do not remove the brown skin or "seed cover" from the seed. [3] X Research source
- Read Cut-an-Avocado if you're unsure how to cut an avocado.
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Determine the top and bottom ends of your seed. The top of the seed is the pointed end, while the lower part of the seed is rounded. It's important that you're able to identify the top and the bottom of your seed. The roots will grow out of the bottom and your tree will sprout from the top of the seed. [4] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Insert three toothpicks into the seed. Insert three toothpicks on a slight downward angle in the middle of the seed. The toothpicks will enable you to suspend your seed so that the roots can get enough water while the top of the seed stays dry. [5] X Research source
- The toothpicks should be an equal distance apart from one another.
- Make sure that each toothpick is inserted firmly but not too far.
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Place your seed on the brim of a cup filled with water. Use the toothpicks to balance the seed on the brim of a cup, ensuring that the bottom half of the seed is under water. The other half of the seed should be above the water's surface. Place the glass in a warm spot where it can get some sun. [6] X Research source
- Remember to replace the water as it evaporates.
- Change your water once a week to prevent mold from growing in your glass. [7] X Research source
- Use room temperature water for your avocado tree.
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Wait for your avocado tree to sprout. In two to six weeks, you should see your avocado tree start to sprout. [8] X Research source You'll notice that the seed will crack and roots will begin to grow from the bottom of the seed. [9] X Research source
- If your avocado tree does not sprout in eight weeks, consider starting over with a new seed.
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Transfer your plant to a pot with soil. Once your plant grows to 6 - 7 inches (15 - 17.7 centimeters), you should move it to a pot with soil. Remove the toothpicks from your seed and place it in a 8 - 10 inch (20.3 - 25.4 centimeter) deep pot filled with humus soil or a multi-purpose potting soil. [10] X Research source [11] X Research source The seed should be half exposed on top of the soil.
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Remove and clean an avocado seed. You can use a paper towel or run your seed under water. Remove all of the avocado pulp from the seed before you continue. If your seed is giving you issues during cleaning, you can submerge it under water for one to two minutes to loosen some of the stuck on avocado.
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Carefully remove the brown seed cover from your seed. Once you've extracted your avocado seed, you'll need to peel back the brown layer over the seed, sometimes referred to as the "seed cover." Use a sharp knife and cut away at the brown cover to reveal the tan seed under it.
- Light scratches on the seed will not prevent growth but avoid puncturing or cracking the seed while you remove the cover. [14] X Research source
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Fill a pot with moist soil. Fill a pot with loose soil that has good drainage. Some options include sandy loam or humus. You can find these specialty potting soils online or at a home and garden store. Good drainage is essential for growth. [15] X Research source
- A healthy pH level for your soil is between 6.0 and 7.0. [16] X Research source
- If you're using soil from your garden, make sure you sift through it and remove any weeds or roots are in it.
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Bury your avocado seed into the soil. Bury your avocado seed so that the fat rounded end is under the soil while the pointed end is exposed. An avocado grown this way may take up to two months to sprout. [17] X Research source Return to the soil daily to make sure that it's wet enough to promote growth. It's important that your soil doesn't dry out during this period.
- The best times to plant your avocado tree are March through June.
- Planting your avocado tree during the hottest parts of the summer increases the risk of sun damage for your tree. [18] X Research source
- Burying more than one seed may increase your chances of a tree sprouting.
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Wait for your avocado tree to grow. Avocado trees can take 2-8 weeks to sprout. Once your taproot begins to grow, you'll know you're on the right track. The taproot will be thicker than your tree's other roots. After your avocado tree sprouts, it can take anywhere from 5-13 years for it to bear fruit. [19] X Research source
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Trim the tree to promote growth. Once your avocado tree grows to be about 6 - 7 inches (15 - 17.7 centimeters), cut it back about 3 inches (7.6 centimeters). Cutting the top of the stem will promote more horizontal growth on your plant. [20] X Research source Trim the tree when using both the toothpick and potting method. Regular pruning after the first year of growth should be limited but is useful for maintaining a healthy avocado tree in some cases.You can prune smaller branches as your tree matures to limit its growth or to balance the tree. [21] X Research source
- The best times to prune your tree is in the late winter or early spring.
- If you don't cut your avocado plant, the stem may grow too long.
- Do not cut the roots on the bottom.
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Water your tree every two to three days. Watering your tree too much can hurt the plant. A good indication of overwatering is if the plant's leaves become a light green or translucent color. Check the soil every couple of days to make sure that it isn't dried out. You can do this by pressing a finger into the soil about an inch (2.5 centimeters) deep.
- A fully matured avocado tree will need about 20 gallons (75.7 liters) of water per day during the irrigation period. [22] X Research source
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Bring your avocado tree in for the winter. If you live a place where the temperature doesn't dip below 24 degrees Celsius, (75.2 degrees Fahrenheit) then you can keep your tree outdoors all year round. However, if you live in a place where it gets cold, you'll need to bring it indoors, or it will die. [23] X Research source
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Make sure your tree can be pollinated. For your avocado to grow fruit, it must be pollinated by insects. If you have had your plant for a long time and it hasn't grown fruit, consider moving it to an outside garden or keeping a window open so that bees and other insects can pollinate it. [24] X Research source
- You will have to maintain your tree for many years before it starts to produce fruit, and in the end, it may never produce fruit.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat should I do when my avocado plant is 7 inches tall?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.If you are growing in water it’s time to plant your tree in a pot with soil. The pot needs to be at least 8-10in deep. Use a well draining soil with high organic matter. Plant the tree with half of the seed sticking out of the soil
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QuestionHow long before it fruits?Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.Your avocado tree needs to flower and be pollinated before it can bear fruit. It can take 3 to 15 years for your tree to mature and fruit, if at all. Some may never produce fruit.
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QuestionWhy is my avocado tree growing so fast?This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.wikiHow Staff EditorStaff AnswerA fast growing avocado tree is likely a sign that the tree is getting the right amount of everything––fertilizer, water, light and suitable soil. If this is the case, then it's a happy tree! Also, avocado trees are naturally fast growing, with an average of around 36 inches per year of growth. If this presents a problem for your garden, you might like to consider switching to dwarf avocado plants, which will still grow as fast but won't grow as tall as a standard avocado tree.
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Warnings
- Feeding avocados to your pets is bad for them. [25] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to sourceThanks
- Your avocado tree may never bear fruit and if it does, there is a chance it will not be edible. [26] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado#1
- ↑ https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree-from-an-avocado-pit/
- ↑ https://www.homestolove.com.au/outdoor-gardening/gardening/grow-an-avocado-from-seed-10585/
- ↑ http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/youth/avocado.shtml
- ↑ https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree-from-an-avocado-pit/
- ↑ http://www.fruitexpert.co.uk/growingavocados.html
- ↑ https://www.avoseedo.com/grow-an-avocado-tree/
- ↑ http://www.californiaavocado.com/how-tos/your-own-avocado-tree
- ↑ https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree-from-an-avocado-pit/
- ↑ http://gardening.stackexchange.com/questions/1375/what-is-the-best-type-of-soil-for-growing-an-indoor-avocado-plant
- ↑ https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree-from-an-avocado-pit/
- ↑ http://compostguide.com/using-humus-to-improve-soil-organically/
- ↑ http://www.tropicamango.com/avocado.html
- ↑ https://dengarden.com/gardening/An-Almost-Foolproof-Way-to-Grow-an-Avocado-from-a-Seed
- ↑ https://www.avoseedo.com/successfully-growing-avocados-in-a-pot/
- ↑ http://www.thegardenhelper.com/avocado.html
- ↑ https://dengarden.com/gardening/An-Almost-Foolproof-Way-to-Grow-an-Avocado-from-a-Seed
- ↑ http://www.californiaavocado.com/how-tos/your-own-avocado-tree
- ↑ http://ucavo.ucr.edu/General/Answers.html#anchor417098
- ↑ https://www.homestolove.com.au/outdoor-gardening/gardening/grow-an-avocado-from-seed-10585/
- ↑ http://lee.ifas.ufl.edu/AgNatRes/Pubs/Pruning_Avocado_trees.pdf
- ↑ http://www.californiaavocado.com/how-tos/your-own-avocado-tree
- ↑ https://www.homestolove.com.au/outdoor-gardening/gardening/grow-an-avocado-from-seed-10585/
- ↑ http://www.fruitexpert.co.uk/growingavocados.html
- ↑ http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/avocado
- ↑ http://ceventura.ucanr.edu/Gardening/Garden_Info/avocado_questions/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To grow an avocado tree from an avocado seed, insert 3 toothpicks into the middle of the clean seed. Use the toothpicks to balance the seed on the brim of a cup filled with water, making sure the bottom half of the seed is immersed. In a few weeks, your tree should start to sprout. When that happens, remove the toothpicks and bury the bottom half of the seed in a pot with soil, keeping the top half exposed. Once your tree is about 6 inches tall, trim 3 inches to encourage growth. Make sure to water your avocado tree and keep it indoors during colder months. For more tips from our Horticulturist reviewer, including how to start your avocado tree in dirt instead, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "The article clearly explains step by step, leaving the reader with total clarity. I particularly found the information about the leaves, the sugar and texture of the fruit very helpful, as well as the information about watering in the last week." ..." more
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"The article clearly explains step by step, leaving the reader with total clarity. I particularly found the information about the leaves, the sugar and texture of the fruit very helpful, as well as the information about watering in the last week."
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"It was very educational in that I had no idea how long it took to grow and bear fruit or that it may never bear fruit. I think it will be a very attractive addition to my Atrium/plant entryway regardless."
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"I remember growing an avocado plant as a kid, but couldn't remember how. This article helped me with the steps. I'm now going to cut open an avocado and give it a try. Can't wait to see what happens."
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"Great demonstration, good to see the progression, now I am more confident my plant will grow. It is 4 inches tall and has four leaves on it. Good video, clear narration."
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"I followed instructions on how to grow an avocado tree, and now I have one. My plant grew long and tall, it's time to prune it to have a strong tree."
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