How To Grow Avocado At Home: A Complete Guide

Growing a plant from seed takes time and effort, more than that it needs proper care. Avocado is a native of tropical America. It originated in Mexico and Central America. The avocado tree bears fruit with a leathery peel, often consumed raw or added to other dishes. Even though it contains one of the highest fat contents of any fruit, the fats are good. Moreover, it contains fibre, potassium, folate, vitamin C, and vitamin E.

However, growing an avocado tree from a pit indoors is not only fun but easy. There are 2 ways to grow avocado from seed: in soil or water.

But do you think that they can be easily grown indoors in any hardiness zone, which makes them great low-maintenance houseplants? Here is how to get started, plus the best-growing conditions for avocado plants.

Method 1: Plant Avocado Seed In Soil

Planting an avocado seed in soil is the less popular method, but it is just as effective as growing the pit in water. The only con to this method is that you do not get to see the roots emerge. 

However, you will be able to skip a step since the seed is already in the soil, and you do not need to use toothpicks to support the seed as it breaks dormancy. Here is how to get started.

Image Credit: Freepik

Remove And Wash The Pit

To grow an avocado plant, you will first need to extract the seed from the fruit. Remove the flesh around the seed without damaging it. Wash off any of the flesh still attached. It is ok if some of the brown skin on the pit comes off.

Prepare The Soil

Avocados grow best in slightly acidic soil (pH of 6–6.5) with good drainage. Fill a 6- to 8-inch pot with a drainage hole with a cactus/succulent indoor container mix. This mix is formulated to be loose, fertile, and quick-draining for plants preferring drier soil conditions for avocados. Add enough water to moisten the soil but do not make it too soggy.

Image Credit: Freepik

Plant The Pit

Depending on the variety, avocado pits can be oblong or sphere-shaped. Regardless of shape, all pits have a top and bottom. The top is the slightly pointier end and is where the plant stem will emerge. The flatter end is the bottom, where the roots will emerge. It is essential to place the pit with its bottom end down into the soil.

Gently press the bottom of the seed into the ground so that only half of it is still visible above the soil line. Keep the pot in an area with temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees where it will receive indirect, bright light for at least six hours.

Water Often Until It Sprouts

The soil needs to remain moist but not soggy for the seed to break dormancy. Check the plant daily to ensure the soil is still damp. It can take two to eight weeks for the pit to sprout. 

Method 2: Grow An Avocado Seed In Water

Sprouting an avocado seed in water is the most popular method for growing avocados. It is fun to watch the seed's long taproot emerge from the pit, and it is reassuring to see the seed growing. Eventually, you will need to move the budding plant to the soil. Here is what you need to do:

Image Credit: Freepik

Remove And Wash The Pit

Remove the pit from an avocado and wash off any remaining flesh. Do not worry if some of the brown skin comes off, but try not to damage the pit.

Identify The Root End

The avocado pit will either be oblong or round, depending on the variety. The slightly pointier end is the top of the pit, and the flatter end is the bottom. The bottom is the root end and is the part that will be in the water.

Image Credit: Freepik

Prep The Pit With Toothpicks

Insert four toothpicks at a downward angle into the pit, spaced evenly around the circumference of the avocado seed. The toothpicks will help hold the seed half out of the water while the bottom half (the root end) is submerged. The toothpicks need to be long enough to extend past the circumference of the glass jar or container.

Also Read: 10 Delicious Avocado Breakfast Recipes

Place The Seed In Water

Place the seed on top of a jar or glass of water. Although you can use any water-tight container, clear glass works best because you can easily see when roots start to grow and when you need to add water. Place the jar in a sunny, warm spot that gets at least six hours of indirect light.

When the water begins to look murky, change it. You will need to change the water every five days to a week to prevent mould, bacteria, and fungus growth. The seed will crack when the roots and seedlings emerge. Keep the water topped off because the taproot will need to remain submerged at all times.

Image Credit: Freepik

Plant The Rooted Pit In The Soil

You can grow your avocado in water for a little while, but you will need to pot it in a soil mixture to accelerate the growth once there is a visible root system. Fill a container with a cactus/succulent mix. Next, spread the avocado's roots out and gently pack soil around the pit. Leave the top half of the seed above the soil line.

Water the Plant Regularly

Water gently until water runs from the drainage holes and place the pot on a drainage dish. Set it in a south or west-facing window, out of direct sunlight. Once the plant is established, continue to water once the soil has dried out and follow the care conditions below.