If you’ve been using toothpicks to hold avocado seeds over a glass of water to help them grow roots, there is an easier way. I’ll show you a no-fuss way to root avocado pits to create new houseplants.
This method is great because it’s easy to use and lets you see which seeds will grow before you plant them in pots.
Forget the toothpicks and water! Also, don’t use the Amazon plastic gadget that holds the seed in the water. This method (below) works better. With just a few household supplies you can make your avocado seeds sprout.
These simple steps have been tried on many avocados from the store, and they work pretty well.
There are some problems with the toothpick method that make it less reliable. It’s also more work than it’s worth.
There’s also a chance that the avocado seeds won’t sprout if you put them in wet potting mix.
Using the following method, you can find out ahead of time if the seed will grow before you plant it.
Most likely, your avocado plant won’t bear fruit. If it does, it might not be very good fruit and it will take a long time to bear.
It takes the most time and is the least likely to produce true fruit (the same as the parent) when grown from seeds.
Grafting is a way for commercial growers to make sure the quality and quantity of their fruit, but home growers can’t really do it.
But, starting a plant from the seed/pit is an easy way to grow a free houseplant. If it does fruit, it could take as long as 8-20 years. Grafted avocados produce fruit in 2-3 years.
The actual pollination process in rather unusual and intriguing and worth further reading if you are interested.
I’ll show you how to sprout your seed, plant your seed, and care for it as a houseplant.
Growing an avocado tree from the seed inside the fruit is an enjoyable gardening project. With a few simple supplies and a bit of patience you can grow an avocado houseplant to enjoy for years to come. While the most common method is to balance the pit over water with toothpicks, there’s an easier way to do it that focuses on the top of the seed.
Why Grow from the Seed?
Avocados have a large central seed surrounded by the soft, tasty flesh we eat. This seed is able to sprout and grow into a new tree. Many people enjoy the challenge of sprouting their grocery store avocado pits and nurturing the seedlings into attractive houseplants.
While trees grown from seeds take a long time to produce fruit (at least 10 years), they make lovely, fast-growing houseplants with glossy green leaves And caring for them is a fun way to engage children in gardening The satisfaction of growing a tree from a seed you would have otherwise thrown away is hard to beat!
Choosing the Right Seed
The top of the avocado seed is pointed and tapered, while the bottom is broader and flat. To sprout it, you’ll need to orient it correctly in water so the roots emerge from the bottom of the pit.
Select a seed from a fresh, ripe avocado fruit. Avoid old, dried-out pits from guacamole prep, as they have a lower success rate. Gently remove the large brown pit from the ripe fruit, taking care not to cut or slice the seed coat.
Rinse off any clinging avocado flesh under warm water. Be careful not to damage the seed coat surrounding the pit. This seed coat helps protect the seed and aids in moisture absorption.
Inspect the seed and identify the top (pointy) and bottom (flat) ends. Knowing how to discern the top from the bottom will ensure you orient it correctly for sprouting.
Rooting the Seed
Now that you have a viable seed properly oriented, it’s time to encourage roots to emerge from the bottom of the pit. Here’s a simple method focused on the top of the avocado seed:
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Wrap the cleaned seed in a damp paper towel or tea towel. The goal is moist but not sopping wet.
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Place it in a plastic bag, leaving the bag unzipped or open. This creates a humid greenhouse environment.
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Store the bagged seed in a warm, dark place like a kitchen cupboard or drawer.
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Check on it every 3-4 days. Refold the towel if needed to keep it moist.
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Look for a crack forming on the top of the seed and a taproot emerging from the bottom end. This can take 2-8 weeks.
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Once the taproot grows to about 3 inches long, it’s ready to be planted.
This method avoids the hassle of toothpicks and suspended water glasses. It lets you sprout multiple seeds at once with minimal effort. The humid bag encourages healthy root growth focused on the top of the avocado pit.
Potting the Sprouted Seed
Now comes the fun part – planting your sprouted seed! Select a pot at least 6 inches wide with drainage holes. An 8-10 inch pot allows room for root development.
Partly fill the pot with a rich, well-draining potting mix suitable for houseplants. Gently place the sprouted seed in the soil with its taproot facing down. The top half of the seed should sit above the soil line.
Backfill soil around the seed, taking care not to break the tender emerging root. Water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes. Place in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.
As your seedling grows, pinch off the top few leaves to encourage bushy growth. When it reaches 6-7 inches tall, snip the stem in half with clean shears. This stimulates branching and a fuller plant.
Caring for Your Seedling
Caring for your new avocado houseplant is easy. Keep it in a bright location, but avoid direct hot sunlight which can scorch leaves. Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out, and mist frequently to boost humidity.
Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer. Repot in a larger container as needed when roots fill the pot. Prune back top-heavy growth to keep it bushy.
While it likely won’t produce edible avocados, you’ll enjoy watching your pit transform into an attractive, fast-growing houseplant. And you’ll gain the satisfaction of growing a new tree from a humble seed that normally gets tossed in the trash!
With a little luck and the right care focused on the top of the seed, you’ll be enjoying your homegrown avocado tree for years to come. It makes a great – and delicious – gardening project to try with kids.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Seed isn’t sprouting
Patience is key. It can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks for roots and sprouts to emerge. Make sure your seed coat is intact and the pit is kept moist. Discard and try again if mold develops.
Seedling is leggy and weak
Increase light exposure and pinch off top leaves to encourage bushy growth. Insufficient light causes seedlings to stretch and flop over.
Leaves turning brown
This is usually caused by inconsistent watering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Provide moderate humidity via misting.
White crusty deposits on leaves
Scale insects are common on avocado trees. Wipe leaves with a diluted neem oil solution to suffocate these tiny sap-sucking pests.
Sprouting an avocado pit is an enjoyable gardening project for green thumbs of all ages. Focus your efforts on the top of the seed, looking for a crack and emerging taproot. With proper care, your pit will transform into a handsome avocado houseplant. Though it likely won’t bear edible fruit, you’ll have the satisfaction of growing a tree from a seed destined for the trash.
How to Plant a Sprouted Avocado Seed
- Sprouted avocado seed
- 8-inch flower pot with holes in the bottom for drainage (for a 2-inch avocado seed)
- Indoor potting mix for houseplants
You can also add perlite or sand to the potting mix if you’d like. Avocados like it when the soil drainage is good.
Can you tell the top of your seed from the bottom? The top is (usually) tapered or pointy. The bottom is often broader and flat with a round, scaly marking. The roots will (usually) grow out the bottom but not always. We plant the sprouted seed with the bottom and roots aiming down into the pot.
Easy Way to Grow an Avocado Seed
It takes 4-6 weeks for avocado seeds to be rooted and ready for planting.
You will need one ripe avocado fruit, paper towel, and a plastic food bag.
Remove the seed (pit) from a fresh, ripe avocado. Avoid using a knife where it might damage the seed.
Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the seed gently under running warm water, making sure to get rid of all the flesh.
Wrap the seed in a sheet of damp (not dripping wet) paper towel or a tea towel.
Do not zip the food bag shut. Put it in a dark cabinet and keep it there at room temperature (about 70°F/21°C).
Check on your seed every 4 days or so. I put a reminder in my phone calendar so I don’t forget. At first you just need to ensure the paper towel stays damp. After a few weeks you’ll start to notice signs of germination.
As the seed starts to grow, it will slowly crack open, showing a deep split. Eventually, a root or roots will grow from deep inside the seed. Do not break the seed apart. The seed body feeds the roots, and the roots are fragile, so be careful not to break them.
The next photo shows avocado seeds after a month in the damp paper towel.
Notice how they germinate at different rates.
Some are just getting started. Two are doing well. One is refusing to budge.
I will give these ones another few weeks and then plant the strongest ones.
It’s helpful to know that no two sprouted avocado seeds look exactly alike. There are many crazy variations!
If the roots are growing in all different directions, don’t worry. The plant will sort things out later.
You can plant your seed in a flower pot when the root is 3 inches long. There may be more than one root.
Keep reading for tips on how to plant the sprouted seed.