Ever whipped up the ultimate breakfast spread only to realize your avocado isn't ripe, or worse yet, missing from the picture overall? There's a way to ensure your breakfast burrito is never without the creamy green fruit again: by growing your own avocados at home!
If that sounds tempting, why not save the seed next time you cut open an avocado? It'll be the start of your avocado tree journey—which, by the way, is much easier to embark on than you might think. Not only is it a fun project for you and the kids, but it's also a sustainable way to transform trash into treasure (or at least a low-maintenance houseplant). All you need are the avocado pit, a few toothpicks, and a glass of water to get started. No gardening experience required! Just keep in mind that they won't ripen while still on the plant, so you'll need to know how to ripen avocados before you make your favorite avocado recipes.
But before you get ahead of yourself, here's everything you need to know about how to grow an avocado tree from the seed including tips from the California Avocado Commission.
How to plant an avocado tree?
While there are several different kinds of avocados available at the supermarket, the most common are Hass—loved for their silky texture and high fat content. However, you can grow an avocado plant from any type of avocado seed.
What You'll Need
- Avocado pit
- Glass jar
- Toothpicks
- Potting soil
- 10-inch pot
Carefully cut it open, making sure not to damage the pit, rinse the seed, and you’re ready to grow your tree!
- Put your avocado seed in water. Stick three toothpicks into the sides of the pit, broad end facing down, so that it balances on top of a small glass or Mason jar filled with water. The bottom of the pit should be submersed about an inch in the water.
- Keep the jar in bright light. Put the glass in a warm place in bright light, but out of direct sunlight. Change the water occasionally so it doesn't get cloudy. Roots and a stem should begin to sprout in about two to six weeks. If nothing happens in about a month or so, toss it and try a new seed.
- Plant the seed in soil. When the stem is about six inches long, cut it back to three inches. (It seems counter-intuitive, but you’re trying to boost the root system.) When the roots are thicker and the stem has leaves again, plant your seed in a pot with all-purpose potting soil. Leave it sticking up out of the soil just like it was in the glass. Place the pot in bright, indirect light.
- Water carefully. The soil should stay moist, but not sopping wet. You'll know you're over-watering if the leaves start to yellow and drop. If this happens, stop watering and let it dry out a bit before giving it another drink.
- Prune your plant. Periodically trim your plant to promote fullness. You should prune it about every six inches or so for best results.
What are some tips for caring for an avocado plant?
Once you planted your pit, there's still a few more things to keep in mind to yield the ripe avocados of your dreams.
Give your avocado plant lots of light. Avocados thrive with at least six hours of bright, indirect light per day. Make sure to mimic the sunny locales they'd grow naturally by placing your plant adjacent to a bright, south-facing window or sunny patch.
Pinch the stem to accelerate growth. Once your avocado plant has started to sprout lots of leaves and is at least six to eight inches tall, gently pinch off the very tip of the main stem, just above a set of leaves or nodes. This will cause the tree to grow bushier and more bountiful.
Water your plant consistently. Drain the soil well, ensuring it's moist but not soggy. You'll know it's time to give your avocado plant a sprinkle of water when the surface of the soil is dry.
Can my avocado be planted outside?
In cold climates, you can put your tree outside on the patio once the risk of frost has passed, but don't put it in full sun right away or it will become sunburned; gradually introduce how much sun it receives each day. Bring it in again when temperatures drop into the fifties at night.
Because avocados are tropical plants, your avocado tree can be planted outdoors in climates where it does not freeze (typically, southern California, Florida, and Hawaii). However you'll want to make sure to choose a spot that's sheltered from windy conditions. For optimal growth, plant them in fertile, well-draining soil, ensuring they receive full sunlight and moderate to high humidity. Aim to plant them between March and June for best results. Avocados are shallow-rooted trees that don't like being disturbed once established, so find a spot and keep it there. Mulch it with coarse bark, and water regularly so your tree doesn't totally dry out the first year or so.
Will my avocado tree bear fruit?
Maybe, but it takes a long time! If you're growing from seed, it can take from five to 13 years before a tree can set fruit. And if you live in a northern climate, it's less likely you'll ever see fruit. That said, it shouldn't stop you from enjoying the fun of growing this plant from seed.
Arricca Elin SanSone is a writer, editor, and content creator who specializes in lifestyle and gardening. With a background in health reporting, she applies these same research skills when writing about the science of growing things. She trials new plants in her expansive garden, and her houseplant collection consists of 60+ varieties. Arricca has written thousands of articles for publications such as Country Living, House Beautiful, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, VERANDA, Southern Living, and more. She’s happiest when digging in the dirt, baking, or spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
