Avocado, with its creamy texture and unique flavor, is a beloved fruit that has gained immense popularity in recent years. But have you ever thought about growing your very own avocado tree from a seed? While it may seem like a challenging task, it’s a rewarding endeavor with the right techniques. In this guide, we’ll explore two methods for growing avocado seeds – in water and in soil – and provide you with essential tips to ensure your avocado plants thrive.

Plant Overview

Avocado seeds require specific care to grow successfully. You can choose between two methods: immersing the seeds in water or planting them directly in the ground. Whichever method you opt for, the process requires patience, but the results are worth it. Avocado trees can be grown both indoors and outdoors, making them a versatile addition to your garden or indoor space.

What You Need

After taking the seeds from the fruit, you can nurture it in two ways. You can immerse the seeds in water or plant in the ground.

To grow avocado seeds, you’ll need the following materials and tools:

For Growing in Water:

  • Avocado seeds
  • Toothpicks
  • A jar or glass
  • Water

For Planting in Soil:

  • Avocado seeds
  • Well-draining, porous soil
  • A pot with good drainage
  • Proper temperature (60 to 70 degrees)
  • Consistent soil moisture

How to Plant

Grown in Water:

  1. Take the seeds from the avocado fruit.
  2. Use three toothpicks to make holes in the side of the seed.
  3. Submerge the seed halfway in a jar or glass with the pointy side up and the flat side in the water.
  4. Within a few weeks, leaves and roots will start to appear.
  5. Once the seedling has developed, transfer it to potting soil to continue its growth.

Planting in Soil:

  1. Choose a pot with good drainage and fill it with well-draining, porous soil.
  2. Plant the avocado seed and maintain consistent soil moisture.
  3. Place the pot in an environment with an ideal temperature range of 60 to 70 degrees.
  4. In a few weeks, you’ll see leaves sprouting.

Tips for Successful Growth

  • Prune the seedling back to 6 or 8 inches when it reaches a length of 12 inches to encourage a rounder plant shape.
  • Avocado plants thrive with lots of sunshine, so position them near a bright window in a cool room.
  • Maintain a pH level of 7 in the soil, and use loamy soil for best results.
  • Repot the plant when the roots outgrow their pot, usually in spring.
  • Apply liquid fertilizer every one to two weeks during the growing season, increasing the frequency during summer and reducing it in winter.

Harvesting Techniques

Growing avocado seeds is mainly for aesthetic purposes, as it can take up to a decade before they bear fruit. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty of your avocado tree and look forward to the future harvest.

The Avocado Tree

A space of 20 feet is usually given for the avocado tree. Its roots are so vast that it will just strangle other smaller plants around it. But it’s possible to grow three trees in a single area.

Feed a year-old tree four times a year with fertilizer. When the trees get old, give it nitrogen-rich fertilizer during the summer and winter. Lack of fertilizers will cause the leaves to turn yellow.