Are you looking for your next fun and rewarding DIY project? Try growing avocados from seed and put your kitchen scraps to good use. Plus, you get a free houseplant from the supermarket. Keep reading to learn how to grow avocados from seed and discover several different techniques for transforming an avocado pit into a beautiful houseplant.
Planting avocados from seed is a fascinating process. You get to watch each stage of the growth process up close, beginning when the roots emerge from the seed through your baby avocado seedling turning into a tree. No matter if you’re a seasoned green thumb or a budding houseplant enthusiast, growing your own avocado tree is a worthwhile endeavor.
There are a variety of approaches to growing avocados from pits. Let’s find out all about how to plant avocado seeds and grow them into gorgeous houseplants.
Best Tips and Tricks to Grow Avocados from Seed
Rest assured that growing an avocado seed isn’t as complicated as it might seem. Start by choosing a fully ripe avocado from the grocery store. Growers usually have more success planting avocado seeds when the fruit feels soft to the touch.
Avocado trees originated in south-central Mexico. They were first grown in Florida in 1833, but California currently produces the most US-grown avocados. The terms “California avocado” and “Hass avocado” refer to the large, dark green avocado variety developed by California grower Rudolph Hass in 1935.
Avocados need to be indoor plants unless you live in a semi-tropical climate. If desired, keep your avocado plant outside during the summer and bring it in when the weather turns cold.
The optimal temperature range for growing avocado trees is 60-85℉. Well-established avocado trees that are several years old can withstand temperatures down to 28℉. However, temperatures below freezing will kill an avocado seedling.
There are several methods for germinating an avocado pit. Which one to use depends on your available materials and growing climate. Begin by cleaning and drying the pit. Take care not to damage the seed when removing it.
Avocado Seed Starting Supplies
- Clean avocado seed
- Drinking glass, mason jar, plastic bag, or plastic bottle
- Dishrag or paper towels
- Distilled water at room temperature
- Toothpicks
Germinating Avocado Seeds in Water
One of the most well-known ways to germinate an avocado pit is by suspending the seed over a glass or jar of water using toothpicks. First, determine which end of the seed is the bottom. Avocado seeds are usually teardrop-shaped. The bottom is wider and has a round, scaly marking.
Fill a mason jar or drinking glass with distilled water. Carefully insert three toothpicks into the sides of your avocado seed to suspend it in the water with the bottom half submerged.
Another approach is to cut the top third off of a plastic bottle. Fill the bottom part halfway with water. Then, place the avocado pit inside the bottle’s top with the bottom of the seed facing the cap opening and suspend the seed in the water.
Find a warm location with bright, indirect light. Avocado seeds will split open and start sprouting roots and a stem in two to six weeks. Change the water every few days.
Your avocado is ready to get transplanted when the roots are at least three inches long. Fill a well-draining container halfway with nutrient-rich potting soil. Make a slight indentation in the soil surface and place the avocado pit in the pot. Take care to avoid damaging the fragile roots. Gently fill in around the seed, leaving its top inch or so exposed.
If you haven’t seen any changes to your avocado seed within eight weeks, start again with a new one. Not all avocados from the grocery store will have viable seeds.
How to Grow Avocados from Seed in the Kitchen Cupboard
Another method of sprouting avocado seeds is placing them in a ventilated plastic bag with a moistened cloth or paper towel. This approach is ideal for humid climates where an avocado pit may rot if suspended in water.
Keep it in a dark, warm location such as your pantry or kitchen cupboard. Maintain a consistent moisture level with the cloth or paper towel, and ensure the avocado pit has adequate air circulation to prevent problems with rot and mildew.
Grow Avocados from Seed in Potting Soil
The simplest way to grow avocados from seed is by germinating them directly in a pot. Although this practice takes the longest, it also requires minimal effort.
Avocado plants prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH level between 6 and 6.5. Plant avocado seeds in rich humus soil that drains well and is fortified with organic compost or fertilizer.
Lightly press the avocado seed’s bottom half into the soil, leaving at least an inch uncovered. Germination normally takes two to eight weeks.
To successfully grow avocados from seed, it’s critical to keep the potting soil consistently moist. However, be careful to avoid overwatering. It should have a similar consistency to a wrung-out sponge. Give your avocado plant distilled water at room temperature whenever the top few inches of soil start to dry out.
Avocado Plant Care
Avocados grow best in warm, humid conditions. Mature avocado trees thrive in full sun. However, young seedlings under three years old are quite sensitive to the elements and need bright but indirect light.
Find a sunny spot that’s free from cold drafts. It’s helpful to rotate the pot a quarter-turn every week or two. Doing so promotes even growth and prevents the tree from leaning in one direction toward its light source.
It’s also beneficial to stake avocado trees to keep the main stem stable. When the plant grows to six or seven inches tall, prune the new leaves at the top to encourage branching.
If the stem becomes overly long and spindly, the plant needs more light. If you don’t have a sunny location available, it’s best to use a grow light.
Avocado trees aren’t especially heavy feeders and don’t need much fertilizer. Apply an organic, slow-release fertilizer three or four times per year.
Repotting an Avocado Tree
Another key to success in your efforts to grow avocados from seed is using the right size pot. When you first transplant the seedling, use a six to eight-inch container with drainage holes at the bottom.
It’s time for transplanting when the roots reach the edges of the container. The new pot should have around an inch or two of extra space. Having a lot of excess soil that the root system doesn’t touch increases the risk of fungal disease and rot.
Repot your avocado tree every 12-14 months for the first three years. After that, it can stay in the same pot for three to five years before needing an upgrade. The best time for repotting an avocado tree is mid to late spring.
Repotting houseplants is easiest when the soil is dry. After removing the root ball from the old pot, trim away any dead or rotting roots if necessary. Healthy roots should have a creamy white color. Be sure to sanitize your tools between uses.
Pour a couple inches of potting soil into your new pot, then carefully place the root ball inside so its top is about an inch from the rim. Keep it centered while you fill in with more soil around the edges. Finally, water it in thoroughly.
Will My Avocado Tree Eventually Bear Fruit?
Let’s have a quick dose of reality before you go crazy looking up fresh guacamole recipes. Many indoor-grown avocado trees will never produce fruit. Most avocado orchard trees come from a grafted rootstock, which provides faster growth and more reliable genetics.
Avocado trees planted from seed may take 10+ years to flower, and some never do. In contrast, grafted trees produce avocado fruit within two to four years. Two different avocado varieties are necessary for successful pollination and fruit production.
Solutions for Common Avocado Growing Problems
If your avocado pit develops mold while germinating, it may be possible to save it. Take it out of the water or plastic bag and carefully peel back the dark brown seed coating to see if the mold has gotten through to the inner tissue. If not, completely remove the seed coating and rinse the seed in cool water. Then, disinfect the container, replace the distilled water or damp towel, and continue the germination process.
Avocado trees are highly sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature levels. When these changes occur, a common stress response is for a few leaves to turn brown and crispy, then fall off. It isn’t a cause for concern unless more than half of the leaves drop at once.
Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering. Or, your avocado plant isn’t receiving enough light or nutrients. Crispy, brown leaf edges may indicate overfertilization or drought stress.
Growing avocados from seed is an enjoyable and gratifying home gardening experiment. You get a front-row seat for the entire process of a seed sprouting and growing into a baby plant. Although container-grown avocado trees may never bear fruit, they’re still lovely houseplants. The most important skill for planting avocado seeds is patience.
Do you have any questions or recommendations about planting avocado seeds? Please share them in the comments! If you enjoyed learning about how to grow avocados from seed, please feel free to share this post with your fellow plant geeks.