Don’t toss that avocado pit — with a little patience, you can sprout the seed to plant and grow an avocado tree. It’ll make a lovely houseplant that may someday pay you back with fruit. Follow these simple steps to sprout an avocado seed and (hopefully) grow an avocado tree.
Materials You’ll Need:
Ripe avocado fruit
A knife
Toothpicks
A glass or jar
Potting soil
A small pot or container
Instructions:
Choose a Ripe Avocado: Select a ripe avocado and cut it in half. Remove the pit from the fruit and clean it thoroughly to remove any flesh.
Locate the Top and Bottom: The avocado pit is slightly oblong, with one end being broader than the other. Identify the top (narrower end) and the bottom (broader end) of the pit.
Insert Toothpicks: Carefully stick three or four toothpicks into the sides of the pit, evenly spaced, about halfway down from the top. The toothpicks will help suspend the pit in water.
Place in Water: Fill a glass or jar with water. Position the avocado pit with the broader end submerged in the water and the top end above the waterline. The toothpicks should support the pit in place. The water level should be just touching the bottom of the pit.
Change Water: Change the water in the glass regularly (every few days) to prevent mold growth and ensure a fresh water supply for the developing roots.
Observe Root Growth: After a few weeks to a few months, you should notice roots emerging from the bottom of the pit. The top may start to crack and split as the stem begins to grow.
Transplant into Soil: Once the stem has grown to about 6 inches (15 cm) and has a few leaves, it’s time to transplant the avocado into a pot with potting soil. Plant it with the top half exposed above the soil. Choose a pot with good drainage.
Care for Your Avocado Tree: Place the potted avocado tree in a sunny location. Water it regularly but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Avocado trees need plenty of sunlight and prefer warm temperatures. As it grows, you may need to transplant it into larger pots.
Remember that it can take several years for an avocado tree grown from a pit to produce fruit. Avocado trees make great houseplants, and even if they don’t bear fruit, they are lovely to have around. Enjoy the process and watch your avocado tree grow!
