Avocados are one of the world’s most popular fruits. They are used in many dishes and are a staple in many households.
This article will teach you how to grow avocados from seed, as well as provide you with some tips to make the process easier. Growing an avocado from seed is not difficult, but it does require certain knowledge, patience, and sometimes a little bit of luck.
With proper care, you can have a beautiful avocado seedling in as little as a couple of weeks. After that, you can either keep it as a houseplant or you can plant it outside in your garden and have a beautiful avocado tree in a couple of years.
Want to grow your own avocado from seed? Here’s how you can do it at home.
Growing Avocados From Seeds – The Toothpick Method
There are many ways to germinate avocado seeds, but the best-known way is to partly submerge them in water and place them on a warm, sunny windowsill. The toothpick method is an extremely popular way to grow an avocado from seed. All you need is a jar of water, toothpicks, and the seed of an avocado.
Although this is a common technique, the results are not always perfect. Sometimes the seed will start to rot before roots form, meaning it’s time to throw it away. If successful, the seed takes quite a bit of time to sprout.
Nonetheless, it is a fun method and it is interesting to watch the roots and leaves growing from the seed. It is a cool project that your kids may love. But if you actually want to grow a strong tree from the seed, I would recommend using other methods.
Anyway, for those interested here is a step-by-step guide for growing avocados from seeds using the toothpick method.
Things you will need:
- Toothpicks
- A jar or glass of water – some people like to use a plastic bottle cut in half
- An avocado seed (kind of obvious, I know :-))
Step-by-step guide:
- Cut the avocado in half making sure you don’t damage the seed.
- Remove the seed from the flesh and wash it thoroughly. If you don’t remove all the fleshy bits from the seed, it will very likely start molding within a couple of days causing the seed to die.
- Stick three toothpicks at the top half of the seed. The top end of the seed is the one that is slightly pointy. The distance between all the toothpicks should be about equal. Some larger seeds may require more than three toothpicks.
- Place the seed on the top of the jar or glass. The toothpicks will prevent the seed from falling inside the jar.
- Fill the jar with water so that the bottom half of the avocado pit is submerged in the water.
- Now you just have to wait (and pray).
Sounds simple right? And it really is. The problem with this method is that it is not reliable and the pit is about as likely to rot as it is to sprout. I’ve used it a lot and I haven’t got much success with it so far.
Out in the wild, the seeds don’t germinate while being submerged in water so it’s no wonder this method has a low success rate.
So are there better methods? Of course, there are!
How to Grow Avocados from Seeds In A Pot?
Avocado trees grow best in warm, wet climates. But, if you live in a cold climate and want to grow an avocado tree indoors, you can grow one in a pot. It is possible to grow avocado in a pot from seed or you can plant a sapling. As you may have guessed, we will discuss the seed method.
From the perspective of the steps required, this method is even easier than the toothpick method. You will just have to get your hands a bit dirty.
Things you will need:
- A pot – the size does not really matter as you can re-plant the avocado once it starts forming leaves. You will be fine with a smallish pot.
- Potting soil
- Avocado seed. It may be wise to plant multiple seeds at once. In that case, either choose a bigger pot or get multiple smaller pots.
Step-by-step guide:
- Gather your avocado seeds. If you plan to plant multiple seeds at once, you don’t necessarily have to eat ten avocados at once. You can simply store the seeds for later use. It’s perfectly fine if they slightly dry out.
- Fill the pot with potting soil slightly below the top edge of the pot. Make sure you don’t overfill the pot with soil, it’ll just make when watering more difficult.
- Water the soil thoroughly.
- Take your avocado seed and press it into the center of the soil so that the top, slightly pointy half of the pit is above the soil. Make sure the correct half is sticking out because otherwise, the avocado won’t grow.
Now you will have to wait for a couple of weeks for the tree to start growing. As you wait, make sure you keep the soil moist. Do not overwater it though as that can cause mold to start forming and also the new tiny roots may rot.
The success rate of this method is much better than the toothpicks method as it imitates how the avocado trees grow naturally.
The Easiest Way to Germinate Avocado Seeds
Although the previous method is very easy and is usually successful, there is another method that is even easier. Avocado seeds require humidity and warm temperatures to germinate. We are going to provide that by placing the seed in a plastic bag.
Things you will need:
- A plastic bag. A Ziploc bag works best but pretty much any clear plastic bag will do.
- Paper towels.
- Avocado seed(s)
Step-by-step guide:
- Take a couple of paper towels and stack them so that there are multiple layers of paper on top of each other.
- Moisten the paper towels with water.
- Take your avocado seed and place it in the middle of the paper towel stack.
- Fold the paper towels over the seed forming a small “package”.
- Place the bundle into the plastic bag and close it. Make sure the bag is not closed tight as there needs to be some airflow going.
- Store the bag in a dark place and wait. Keep checking the contents regularly and re-moisten the paper towels if they start drying out.
- Once you see the seed has started sprouting, you can plant it in a pot.
This method is simple and has a very good success rate. Are there any downsides? Sure there are. The one thing is that it is very easy to forget about the seed as it is usually stored out of your sight. That often ends up with dry paper towels and a dead seedling.
Another downside is that mold loves humidity just like the seeds do and it often starts forming inside the bag killing the seed in the process. If you see any sign of mold during your regular checks of the bag, you may try to replace the bag and papers. It does not always help but it is worth trying anyway.
Caring for Avocado Trees Growing in a Container
If you have limited space in your garden and are looking for a fruit tree that won’t take up too much space, then growing avocados in a pot is a good option. Avocados growing outside are large trees and take up a lot of space. In general planting avocado trees in a pot is not widely recommended. However, with proper care, potted avocados will grow just fine. Just don’t expect them to grow very large and produce a lot of fruit.
Let’s take a look at the most important requirements that must be met in order to have a healthy indoor avocado tree.
How Much Sunlight Does a Potted Avocado Tree Need?
Potted Avocado trees need a lot of sunlight all year long, so they should be situated in a bright, warm spot. That means placing the pot near south-facing windows is required. In fact, it’s best to reserve the best spot in your house for your avocados.
If you have no windows oriented towards the south (or north if you are in the southern hemisphere), or at least southeast or southwest, you should probably reconsider growing avocados indoors. The tree will struggle with enough lights and will most likely end up being extremely leggy.
During the summer, avocados love to be placed outside. Of course, that’s only an option if you live in a climate where it does not get too cold during the night. For most avocado varieties it’s good if the temperature does not dip below 50 Fahrenheit or approximately 10 degrees Celsius during the night.
If you are planning to place your potted avocado trees outside during the summer, make sure you are not immediately placing them in the direct sunlight as that may burn the leaves. Instead, place them in a lightly shaded spot and move them to a sunny spot after a couple of days. This way, the plants will have a chance to get used to the increased levels of sunlight.
What Temperature Does an Avocado Tree Need?
Avocado trees are subtropical plants native to Central America. Therefore they need warm temperatures to thrive. They grow best at temperatures between 65 to 85 Fahrenheit which is approximately 15 to 30 Celsius.
A lot of avocados are grown in California and Florida because these states have the right temperature for an avocado tree.
Some cool hardy varieties can survive temperature dips down to 20 F or -6 degrees Celsius. A potted avocado would most likely not survive such a low temperature. Therefore, unless you are living in a really warm zone, you should bring the potted avocado tree indoors.
What Kind of Soil Does an Avocado Tree Need?
The avocado tree requires well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The best type of soil for avocados to grow in is a sandy loam with a pH range of 6 to 6.5. Avocado trees have a shallow root system and they do not tolerate wet or poorly drained soils. Therefore, when planting outside, it’s important to avoid planting them near areas where water pools or drains poorly, such as low spots or on the north side of a house.
When grown in a container a good choice of soil is the one labeled as a cactus mix. Alternatively, you can mix your own avocado potting mix. To do this, combine 1 part sand, 1 part pumice, 1 ½ part peat moss, and 1/2 part perlite. You can also place a layer of rocks at the bottom of the container or a pot. This will improve the drainage and ensure the roots are not sitting water pooled at the bottom of the container.
How Often Should You Water an Avocado Tree in A Pot?
A potted avocado tree needs to be watered at least once or twice a week. Make sure you are not overwatering the tree because avocados are prone to root rot. The soil should not be soaking wet but it also should not be thoroughly dry.
If you followed our advice above, you have your avocado planted in light, well-drained soil. This type of soil tends to dry quite a bit quicker than your standard potting mix. Therefore, you should check the moisture levels more frequently.
If the temperature is high, you may need to water the plant more often. That is especially the case when you move the potted avocado tree outside during summer.
If you see the tips of the leaves turning brown, then you should water your avocado tree more. Are the leaves of your avocado tree turning yellow? Your tree is most likely getting too much water and needs a break. Wait a few days without watering the pot to allow it to dry out a bit.
Does an Avocado Tree in a Pot Need a Fertilizer?
Avocado trees in pots need more care and attention than trees grown outside. One of the most important things to remember is that they need to be fertilized. The tree needs nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc to thrive. The first three are elements that are present in the standard NPK fertilizers used for most houseplants. Check if the fertilizer also contains zinc. If not, then consider adding zinc separately.
In terms of frequency, there is really no consensus in the indoor gardening community. Some prefer fertilizing their avocados once every three months. Others claim it is necessary to do it every month. I personally had good results using a water-soluble fertilizer every three months.
Avocado trees typically need very little fertilization during the first few months of development.
Citrus fertilizers are also a good choice for avocado trees.
How Often Does an Avocado Tree Need Repotting?
Avocado trees are commonly grown as a houseplant. One of the reasons why they are so popular is because they grow very quickly. Quick growth also means that you will be transplanting your avocado tree fairly frequently. In the early stages, the tree will need to be transplanted into a larger pot almost every year.
The best time to repot your avocado is during springtime. Just like with most other plants, the new pot should be only slightly bigger than the old one. Avoid repotting your plant friend into a pot twice the original size. Houseplants generally do not respond well to such moves. apart from the size, it is also important to choose a pot that has drainage holes.
While you are repotting your avocado, check the roots and make sure to clip away any roots that show signs of rotting.
Can You Prune Your Potted Avocado Tree?
Yes, you can prune an avocado tree. In fact, if you are growing your avocado in a pot as a house plant, you probably should prune it. Otherwise, the young plant has the tendency to grow a very long trunk without any major branches.
Most plant-growers don’t like leggy plants and prefer bushy-looking house plants. To promote branching, it is essential to start pruning early. It is often recommended to start pruning when the plant is between 8 to 12 inches tall.
Unfortunately, young avocado trees do not like to produce multiple branches. So after the first pruning, there is a high chance that only one new branch will grow from the trunk. Some tricks will be needed to encourage branching such as pinching the growing tips of each new branch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avocado Trees
Will my potted avocado tree bear fruit?
Avocado trees need a lot of time before they start producing fruit. When grown outside, it usually takes at least 7 years before the trees yield fruit. Indoor avocado might take even more time. And even if it started to produce fruit, you cannot expect it to taste exactly the same as store-bought avocados. That’s because commercially grown trees are almost never grown from seeds. They are grafted onto rootstocks.
How long does avocado grow from seed?
Avocado seeds take anywhere between two to six weeks to germinate and start growing. The exact time it takes depends on many variables such as the variety of the avocado, temperature, humidity, sunlight, and of course the chosen germination method.
Where are avocados grown in the world?
The largest producer of avocados in the world is Mexico and by a huge margin. Approximately one-third of the world’s avocado production comes from Mexico. But Mexico is of course not the sole producer. Avocados are grown in many subtropical and tropical countries. Among the top producers of avocados are Dominican Republic, Peru, Indonesia, Brazil, and Kenya. Avocados are also grown in the US, especially in Florida and California.
Does eating avocados make you gain weight?
If eaten in moderation and as a part of a balanced healthy diet, avocados by themselves will not make you gain weight.
How many avocado varieties are there?
There are over 500 varieties of avocados. All with varying taste, texture, size, shape, and even color. Although the number of varieties is huge, the most popular variety is the Hass avocado.
References:
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/FRUIT/CULTURAL/citruswatering.html
https://fsi.colostate.edu/avocados/
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