How to Grow an Avocado From Seed

Avocados flourish best in warm environments. To grow them indoors using water instead, clean an avocado pit and use toothpicks to suspend it broad end down over a glass filled with enough water to cover half its seed, according to Missouri Botanical Garden recommendations.

Within several weeks, a stem should erupt from the flat end of your seed. Water regularly and place it in a sunny location for optimal growth.

Prepare the Soil

Prior to sowing an avocado seed, it is necessary to prepare the soil. You will need to dig a hole that is twice wider and slightly deeper than its intended root ball and clear out any rocks or debris from within it.

Avocado pits are typically oval or round in shape with one end being pointed and the other being flatter, making this end the “top,” while its counterpart, known as the “bottom,” represents dormancy. To assist the pit in awakening from dormancy more quickly and evenly around its circumference, insert toothpicks at a downward angle into each seed in an even pattern around its circumference to act as scaffolding for submersion of half its depth in water. This should break dormancy quicker.

Once your roots reach 3 inches in length, transfer them into a large container filled with porous houseplant potting mix or cactus soil. Place near a window for optimal conditions, and water often but don’t overdo it – once every month add general houseplant fertilizer as an addition.

Place the Pit in Water

No matter whether you’re cultivating avocados as houseplants or to add them to a fruit garden, starting them in soil is always recommended for optimal success and yields stronger stems as well as additional leaves on your plant.

Clean your pit thoroughly before suspending it with toothpicks broad end down over a glass filled with just below-the-bottom water in a warm spot away from direct sunlight and changing regularly to prevent mould, bacteria or fungus growth.

Seeds will germinate within two to six weeks and sprout roots and shoots, which you can trim back for additional leaves. When ready, place them into porous soil pots with regular irrigation in order to maintain moist conditions without overwatering – the pH range for such soil should be between 6.0 and 6.5 for best results; over-watering could result in roots becoming waterlogged or even rotting, so keep track of when to water your seeds!

Place the Pit in the Soil

An avocado pit contains energy reserves that have the power to create new plants; all it needs to flourish are suitable conditions such as warm temperatures and high humidity. To unleash its potential, warm temperatures and consistent high humidity must exist for an avocado tree to flourish successfully.

Start by giving the pit a thorough wash, taking care to remove any bits of flesh that could attract bacteria. Next, puncture it using toothpicks at even intervals; place its narrow end over a container filled with water while leaving 1″ of its broad end submerged; this should provide for even penetration of toothpicks into its core.

Rest the toothpicks inside the container so the pit remains suspended in water, then place in a warm location with indirect sunlight (not direct). Change out the water regularly.

Within weeks, roots should begin growing through the crack in the bottom of your avocado pit and you should witness a small shoot emerging from its pointed end. When this shoot reaches 8 cm long, plant it into rich humus soil for best results.

Keep the Pit in Water

As soon as the crack in the pit starts to widen, this indicates that your avocado plant is beginning to expand its roots and focus its energy towards root development. At this point, watering should begin, with each change taking place every five days until an avocado seed sprouts from its pod.

Once your seed germinates, it’s time to plant it in soil. Make sure the pot you choose has drainage holes and fill it with quick-draining soil such as cactus mix; place in a warm area away from direct sunlight and water thoroughly.

Once roots reach several inches in depth, cut back their growth to promote new development and create a bushier tree. You may wish to transfer seed into larger container of cacti soil and continue following same growth guidelines – you may add general fertilizer once seedling has emerged from soil surface.