How to Grow an Avocado Plant from a Seed

 

I've had several requests for information on how to grow an avocado plant from a seed. You should see how many Youtube posts there are on this subject! Inquiring minds want to know.

Basically what I've found is that if you try to grow a plant from a seed, it will take 7 to 10 years before you get fruit. That's a long time to wait. But, if you want to hurry things along, you need to graft a fruiting branch onto your plant (which has been grown from the seed) and you'll have fruit in 2 - 3 years. Or if you just want the plant as some greenery in your house, then starting it from a seed is an ideal solution.

None of the Youtube posts were great. Some were too long, some weren't too informative. This is the best of the bunch:

Here's some more info:

!. Water should cover about half an inch of pit.

2. Add lukewarm water as needed, maintaining the same level.

3. Keep glass in a warm spot out of direct sunlight.

4. When the pit starts to crack, it's ready to sprout roots (2 - 3 weeks)

5. If seed doesn't sprout after 2 months, give up. It was probably an immature pit.

6. When the main stem reaches 6 - 7 inches, cut it back midway between the pit and tip to prevent the plant from producing a straight, spindly stalk.

7. When the roots are thick and the steam has leafed out, it's time to transfer the plant to a 7 - 9" pot with a saucer underneath.

8. Fill pot with about 4" of hummus-type soil. Transfer the plant from the glass to dirt. Distribute soil around the plant, leaving half the pit exposed at the top.

9. Don't pack the dirt down. Pour lukewarm water over the soil and let the water settle in.

10. Place the plant where it will get several hours of sunlight or artificial light a day. Keep the soil moist.

This will give you a pretty plant (if you're lucky), but no avocados. I'll let you know in a future post, how to graft your plant in case you want a real crop.

In the meantime, stab your pit and dunk it in some water and see what happens.