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A firm, ripe avocado is great for everyone, but it’s even better when it comes from your own tree. Avocados grow well outside in very warm hardiness zones. You might want to grow an avocado plant inside if you live in a cooler area or don’t have enough room for a home orchard.
Avocado trees most likely originated in Southern Mexico and were cultivated for centuries before North America was colonized. The pear-shaped fruits are rich and tasty, and they make a great addition to your diet on their own or as a topping.
The trees are warm season plants, easily damaged by cold and frost. Avocado trees can reach 80 feet (24+ m. ) in height. Most plants do poorly in regions where freezing temperatures occur. Gardeners in USDA zones 8 and lower should opt for an avocado tree that can grow indoors.
Growing avocado trees in containers is a great way to enjoy these tasty fruits even if you don’t have space for a full-size tree. With the right techniques you can have a productive avocado tree in a pot on your patio or balcony.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about container growing avocados, from choosing the right variety and pot size to proper care Let’s get started!
Choosing the Right Avocado Variety
The first step is selecting a dwarf or semi-dwarf avocado variety suited to container growing. Full-size avocado trees can reach 60 feet tall and are not a good fit for pots.
Instead, look for compact varieties like ‘Little Cado’, ‘Joey’, or ‘Carmen’ that only grow 10-15 feet tall Other good patio avocado varieties include ‘Mexicola Grande’, ‘holiday’, ‘Nabal’ and ‘Wurtz’.
I recommend ‘Little Cado’ in particular because it’s extra compact at just 5-10 feet tall and cold hardy. It’s perfect for containers and bears tasty medium-sized green fruit.
Selecting the Right Container
Avocado trees need large pots, at least 15-25 gallons. This gives their long taproots ample room to spread out. Small pots will restrict root growth and result in a stunted tree.
Choose a container that’s about 2 feet deep and wide. Terra cotta, wood, plastic, and metal pots all work well, just be sure there are drainage holes. You can also plant in a half wine barrel or whiskey barrel.
For drainage, place your pot on pot feet or bricks. This prevents waterlogging.
The Best Potting Mix
Avocados need a loose, well-draining soil. Regular garden soil stays too wet. The best potting mix contains:
- Coarse sand or perlite for drainage
- Peat moss or coconut coir to retain moisture
- Compost, bark, or wood chips for nutrients
- A small amount of soil for micronutrients
You can make your own mix or use a commercial cactus/citrus soil blend. Mix in worm castings or organic fertilizer to enrich it.
How to Plant Your Avocado Tree
Once you’ve chosen a variety and have your container and soil prepared, it’s time for planting:
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Fill the container about halfway with soil mix. Form a mound.
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Remove the avocado seedling from its nursery pot, gently loosen the roots, and place atop the mound.
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Fill in around the roots with more soil, leaving just a bit of the trunk exposed.
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Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.
Use this same planting technique when repotting into a larger container. Repot every 1-2 years as needed.
Caring for Container Avocados
Growing avocados in pots requires attentive care:
Sun: Avocados need 8-10 hours of full sun daily. Move pots to follow the sunlight.
Water: Check soil moisture frequently and water when the top few inches become dry. Don’t let pots completely dry out.
Fertilizer: Feed with organic citrus fertilizer or compost tea every 2-3 months during spring and summer.
Temperature: Bring pots indoors or protect with blankets if temperatures drop below 40°F.
Pruning: Prune in early spring to shape and thin out the canopy. Remove inward-facing branches and dense growth.
Repotting: Repot in a larger container when roots fill the current pot. Do this in early spring every 2 years or so.
With excellent care, you can keep a container avocado tree healthy and productive for years! Just be vigilant about its needs.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Growing avocados in containers has its challenges. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:
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Yellow leaves: This indicates overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out further between waterings.
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Drooping leaves: Underwatering is the issue. Check soil and water more frequently.
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Slow growth: May be caused by too little sun, overwatering, or rootbound plant.
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Leaf drop: Can result from overwatering, underwatering, or cold weather.
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White crusty deposits on leaves: Hard water or salt buildup. Leach the soil by watering heavily to wash out salts.
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Failed fruit set: This happens if temperatures are too cold when the plant blooms. Not much can be done except protect it from cold next winter.
Harvesting Avocados from Container Trees
You can begin harvesting avocados from your container tree in 2-4 years. Test for ripeness by gently squeezing fruits.
Harvest when they feel slightly soft, before they fully soften on the tree. The skin will turn glossy black when ripe.
Snip fruits off the tree, leaving their stems attached. Allow to ripen indoors for a couple weeks until ready to eat.
Enjoy your homegrown avocados! With excellent care and the right variety, you can absolutely grow these trees in containers and harvest abundant fruits.
Container Growing FAQs
Here are answers to some common questions about growing avocado trees in pots:
How big of a pot does an avocado tree need?
Use a 15-25 gallon container, at minimum. Bigger is better to accommodate their long taproots.
What soil mix should I use?
Avoid regular garden soil. Use a loose potting mix made for cacti and citrus instead.
How much sun does a container avocado need?
At least 8-10 hours of direct sunlight per day. Move it to follow the sun.
Should I fertilize my potted avocado?
Yes, feed with organic citrus fertilizer or compost tea 2-3 times during spring and summer.
How often do I need to water?
Check soil frequently, water when the top few inches become dry. Don’t let it totally dry out.
Can I grow an avocado indoors?
It’s challenging but possible if you can provide excellent light, humidity, heat, and care.
How long until I get fruit?
Expect your first small harvest in 2-4 years. Production increases as the tree matures.
What causes yellow leaves?
Usually a sign of overwatering. Allow the soil to dry out more between waterings.
Why do the leaves droop?
Drooping leaves indicate the plant needs more frequent watering.
When should I repot?
Repot in early spring every 2 years or so when roots fill the current container.
Final Tips for Success
Growing productive avocado trees in pots is very rewarding, but does require commitment. Follow these last tips to ensure success:
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Select a compact variety suited to containers
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Use the largest pot size possible
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Provide excellent drainage and porous soil
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Place in full sun
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Water thoroughly but allow soil to dry out between waterings
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Fertilize regularly to support growth
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Bring indoors or protect from cold weather
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Be prepared to hand pollinate flowers for good fruit set
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Expect just a few fruits in the first years as the tree establishes
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Harvest promptly when fruits reach maturity
Problems, Pests & Diseases
One benefit of growing avocado indoors is the lack of insect pests that bother the plant. You might see mealybugs, but all the other pests that attack outdoor trees are usually not seen indoors. Other problems – like root rot or scorching – arise from improper cultural care.
Soil & Fertilizer Needs
Sandy soil is best for indoor avocado trees since good drainage is very important. Fertilize the tree with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season. Pick one with more phosphorus than nitrogen or potassium, like 7-9-5. Alternatively, top dress the soil with a slow release fertilizer in springtime. Turn the tree frequently to promote even growth. You can also fertilize with fish emulsion every month for the first year.
If you want your indoor avocado plant to fruit, you’ll have to provide it with lower nighttime temperatures. The tree has trouble when moved from a cool, humid location outdoors to a warm area without humidity. Ideally, the air temperature and humidity levels will be similar.