Growing an avocado tree from a seed is a fun and rewarding project that turns kitchen scraps into thriving plants. This provides an excellent opportunity to learn about plant propagation and care. While many guides highlight the simplicity of this endeavor, it’s important to be aware of the unique challenges and uncertainties involved in growing avocados from seeds.
This guide not only covers the basic steps but also provides insights into what nobody tells you about seed-grown avocados, including the variability in fruit quality, the significant growth potential of the trees, and the extended time it takes for them to bear fruit.
By following this comprehensive guide, you can successfully navigate these complexities and enjoy the journey of growing your own avocado tree from a seed, whether as a large indoor plant or eventually as an outdoor fruit-bearing tree.
Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Avocado Tree from Seed
Materials Needed:
- A ripe avocado
- Knife
- Four toothpicks
- A glass or jar
- Water
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Extract the Pit:
- Carefully cut the avocado in half without damaging the pit. Twist the halves to separate them.
- Gently remove the pit from the flesh. Rinse the pit under lukewarm water to remove any remaining avocado flesh. Be careful not to remove the brown skin on the pit, as it helps protect the seed during germination.
- Identify the Top and Bottom:
- The top of the pit is slightly pointed, while the bottom is flat and often has a small, round mark. The bottom is where the roots will emerge, so it’s important to orient the pit correctly.
- Insert Toothpicks:
- Insert four toothpicks into the sides of the pit at a slight downward angle, about 6 mm (¼ inch) deep. Space them evenly around the circumference of the pit. These toothpicks will act as support, allowing you to suspend the pit in water.
- Suspend the Pit in Water:
- Fill a glass or jar with water, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
- Place the pit over the glass so that the toothpicks rest on the rim and the bottom half of the pit is submerged in water.
- Choose the Right Location:
- Place the glass in a warm, sunny spot, such as a windowsill. Avocado pits need warmth and light to germinate.
- Change the Water Regularly:
- Change the water every few days to prevent mold, bacteria growth, and to keep it fresh. Ensure the bottom of the pit remains submerged in water.
- Wait for Germination:
- Germination can take anywhere from 2 to 8 weeks. During this time, you will notice the pit splitting open and a root emerging from the bottom. A shoot will eventually sprout from the top.
- Planting the Pit:
- Once the root is about 5-7 cm (2-3 in) long and a shoot has grown with several leaves, it’s time to plant the pit in soil.
- Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with a rich potting mix. Make a small hole in the center of the potting mix, and plant the pit with the roots facing down, leaving the top half of the pit exposed above the soil.
- Watering and Care:
- Water the soil thoroughly after planting and keep it consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Place the pot in a sunny location. Avocado plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
- As the plant grows, water it regularly, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot.
- Transplanting Outdoors:
- If you live in a suitable climate such as a warm temperate, subtropical or tropical area (USDA zones 9-11), you can transplant your avocado tree outdoors once it has grown large enough and the weather is warm. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil.
- Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball of your avocado plant. Gently remove the plant from its pot, place it in the hole, and backfill with soil.
- Water thoroughly and add a layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture.
Note: Avocado trees require well-drained soil to thrive, as they are highly sensitive to waterlogged conditions. They prefer loose, sandy, or loamy soils with good aeration and a slightly acidic to neutral pH (around 6-7). Heavy clay soils can cause poor drainage, leading to root rot and other issues. In such conditions, it is recommended to plant avocado trees on a mound, raised bed, or slope to improve drainage and prevent water accumulation around the roots. This ensures the roots receive adequate oxygen and reduces the risk of diseases associated with poor soil drainage.
By following these detailed steps, you can successfully grow an avocado tree from a pit. While the process requires patience and care, the result is a beautiful plant that can eventually produce its own fruit. Enjoy the journey of nurturing your avocado tree from a simple pit to a thriving tree!
How to Grow a Seed-Grown Avocado as an Indoor Plant
Seed-grown avocado trees can be used as large indoor plants. With proper pruning and care, you can keep them relatively small. Here are some tips:
Initial Pruning for Branching:
Regularly trimming the top and side branches helps maintain a manageable size, encouraging the plant to grow more bushy and compact.
- First Pruning: When your avocado tree reaches about 30 cm (12 in) in height, prune the top 5-7 cm (2-3 in) to encourage branching. This helps the tree develop a fuller, bushier shape rather than growing tall and spindly.
Container Size:
Growing the avocado tree in a pot restricts its root growth, which in turn limits its overall size.
- Initial Container: Start with a pot that is about 20-25 cm (8-10 ins) in diameter. This gives the young tree enough space to grow without overwhelming it.
- Larger Containers: As the tree grows, transplant it to larger pots. A mature indoor avocado tree can be kept in a pot that is 38-50 cm (15-20 in) in diameter.
Watering:
When watering an avocado tree in a pot, keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry to the touch.
Avoiding Root Rot:
Avocados are subtropical plants that dislike “wet feet,” meaning they do not tolerate having their roots sitting in water or excessive moisture caused by poor soil drainage.
- Drainage: Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom.
- Watering: Place the pot on a saucer to catch excess water, but never let the pot sit in water. Empty the saucer after watering, or raise the bottom of the pot above the base of the saucer by placing pot feet beneath it.
- Soil: Use a high quality, well-draining potting mix to further reduce the risk of root rot.
Ongoing Pruning Schedule:
- Regular Pruning: After the initial pruning, continue to trim the top and side branches every few months to maintain the desired size and shape.
- Pruning Time: The best times to prune are in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. Avoid heavy pruning in the autumn and winter when growth slows down.
General Care:
- Light: Ensure the plant gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight, which is essential for its growth. Placing the plant against a window that receives harsh, hot afternoon sun may burn its leaves. If natural light is insufficient, consider using a grow light.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to provide the necessary nutrients without promoting excessive growth. Apply fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce feeding in the winter.
- Pests and Diseases: Watch out for common pests such as spider mites and aphids. Treat any infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow a seed-grown avocado tree indoors, keeping it healthy and at a manageable height of about 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters), or even shorter with diligent pruning.
What Nobody Tells You About Seed Grown Avocados
Taste: Avocados (Persea americana) do not grow true to seed, meaning that the fruit produced by a seed-grown tree will not be identical to the parent tree. This is due to the genetic variability in seed propagation, which results in offspring that can exhibit a wide range of characteristics. As a result, the fruit from a seed-grown avocado tree can vary significantly in taste, texture, and quality. It might be excellent, mediocre, or even unpalatable.
Size: Seedling-grown avocado trees tend to grow much larger than grafted commercial varieties. These trees can take anywhere from 8 to 12 years to bear fruit, during which time their size can become substantial. A seedling avocado tree can grow up to 12-18 meters (40-60 feet) high and 6-12 meters (20-40 feet) wide, which is larger than most small to medium sized backyards. This significant growth can be problematic for home gardeners, as they may end up with a massive tree that produces fruit of uncertain quality.
Years to Start Fruiting: Avocado trees grown from seeds can take around 8 to 12 years to bear fruit. This lengthy timeframe makes them less desirable for commercial production. In contrast, grafted avocado trees, which are created by attaching a scion (a cutting from a desired variety) to a rootstock, begin producing fruit much sooner, typically within 3 to 4 years. For reliable fruit production, grafted avocado trees are the better choice, as they they maintain the genetic characteristics of the parent tree, ensuring consistent fruit quality, and are more manageable in size compared to seed-grown trees.
In conclusion, growing an avocado tree from a seed can be an interesting experiment, which can be both fascinating and challenging. The fruits may not taste or look like those of the parent tree, the seed-grown trees can grow quite large, and fruiting can take several years. Despite these challenges, nurturing an avocado tree from a seed is immensely rewarding. By following this guide, you can successfully navigate these complexities and enjoy the satisfaction of watching your avocado tree flourish, whether as a large indoor plant or eventually as a fruit-bearing tree.
References
- University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Extension – Kitchen Scrap Gardening: Regrow Your Fruits and Vegetables!, by Brittnay Haag, March 27, 2020
- Smithsonian Gardens – Don’t Pitch It, Plant It!