It’s hard to think of a crop that complements other foods better than the creamy flesh of a ripe avocado. These strange fruits have become a unique sensation over the past few decades because of their earthy flavor and high nutritional value. Humans love them so much that they have even started learning how to grow an avocado tree from a pit.
Can you grow an avocado tree from a pit at home? Growing avocado trees from pits isn’t the easiest task. Some people succeed with it, but others fail time and time again.
The great thing about the avacado pit is that, even if they don’t often reach the size of a full tree, they can still be kept as indoor plants until they’re large enough to transplant outside.
Can You Grow an Avocado Tree from a Pit?
Growing an avocado isn’t a fast process. It takes a lot of time and dedication to follow the way to grow avocados indoors or outside.
Whether doing it for yourself or as a fun project with the kids, raising your own avocado tree as a houseplant teaches you a lot about how to garden with these tasty crops.
In addition, avocado fruits from the grocery store more than likely won’t produce fruit at all because some of the trees from California and Florida may be sterile.
To learn how to grow an avocado tree from a pit, follow the advice we provide in this detailed guide.
Necessary Supplies for Growing Avocado Trees from Pits
Can you grow an avocado tree from a pit? Only if you have all of the right items to grow an avocado in water. Moisture is the key to germinating a seed.
If trying to complete this task with other family members, we recommend creating a DIY avocado growing kit for everyone involved. so you each get to focus on your own plant, and the chances of success increase.
Where to Purchase Avocado Pits
The avocado seed is the most critical part of the entire process. It is best to purchase all veggies that you’re using to produce fruit from a nursery whenever possible.
Although avocados are one of the best fruits to grow in pots, you may need your pits special ordered. However, if doing it just for fun, some people succeed, though not as much, when using avocados purchased from the grocery store.
If your only way of obtaining an avocado pit is from the store, try to choose a seed that is optimal for sprouting. Avocado pits coming from under ripe fruits might not sprout at all.
Most types of avocados have dark green skin to indicate they’re ripe. It should also have a little bit of give to the flesh when you gently squeeze it. If the stem is still attached, remove it and look for vibrant green colors to indicate it is ripe.
To remove the fruit’s pit, cut the avocado in half and use a spoon to scoop the seed from the flesh. Wash away any green parts stuck to the pit and get ready for propagation.
How to Grow an Avocado Tree from a Pit
Trees usually have several different propagation methods that make them more likely to bear fruit.
Unfortunately, because avocado trees are temperamental, it takes a lot of troubleshooting throughout the process to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Look at your avocado pit and notice how the top half of the seed is more pointy than the other. The bottom also seems to have a lighter seed coat.
Use a sharp knife to remove a sliver from the bottom of the pit to encourage new leaves as it sprouts. Hold the seed with the tapered end facing up and the cut end facing down.
Grab three toothpicks and carefully insert them into the middle of the seed at three evenly distanced points. Grab a glass of water and set the toothpicks on the opening.
When growing avocados from seed in water, the pit must have the bottom end sticking in the water. If it doesn’t, adjust the toothpicks. Allow your avocado pit to sit in the jar of cool water so that about one inch of the seed is submerged.
Set your glass in direct sunlight at room temperature. A sunny windowsill or another sunny spot in your house is a perfect place.
Check the water daily to ensure that the broad end stays submerged. Over time, the pit begins to crack, and you’ll start to see the avocado sprouting.
It takes anywhere between one and six weeks for avocado pits to germinate. You might have to start again if you go over six weeks with no signs of life. Over time, the sprout shoots up into the air, and roots grow into the water.
How to Transplant Avocado Seedlings
Your specific avocado types are ready to plant once the roots are about two or three inches long and your first sets of leaves are starting to grow.
Those living in hardiness zones eight through eleven might consider transplanting them outdoors instead of into a container.
Avocado trees may be grown as houseplants, but they reach over 20 feet high and might not be suitable for smaller houses. Growing them indoors also reduces the chance of pollination and makes them less likely to bear fruit.
Transplant avocado seedlings into a ten-inch-diameter pot with plenty of drainage holes.
Consider using an even larger container when you plant an avocado tree in a pot if you want to avoid transplanting the tree multiple times. Younger plants still require at least 20 inches of depth to spread out.
For a potted fruit tree of the avocado variety, fill your chosen container with either one part potting soil and one part perlite or with one part peat moss and one part coconut coir. Fill the pot three-quarters full, set the plant in, and pour in the rest of the remaining soil.
Thoroughly water your avocado plant and try to keep the soil moist at all times. The plant might even benefit from an occasional deep soak during hotter parts of the year. However, refrain from overwatering.
Give avocado trees at least eight hours of direct sunlight every day. New leaves should emerge within a couple of weeks, with additional sets of leaves continuing to grow as time passes.
Prune the tree regularly as it grows by cutting off older growth and leaving the top leaves.
Planting Avocados Outdoors
Avocados love light and warmth and do much better when they grow outside in the proper hardiness zones. Those who grow them outside should only sow seeds in loose, healthy soil with lots of drainage.
Do not plant the tall trees in a location where they may run into obstacles like eaves and power lines since they could reach heights of up to 60 feet.
When you transplant your seedlings, dig a hole at least twice as wide and deep as the existing root system. Always be gentle when handling the roots. Place the seedling in the hole and gently backfill it with dirt.
Once transplanted, water the area and check on your new tree regularly. Don’t expect to see your first fruit until the plants are at least three or four years old. Some take as long as 13 years to set fruit.
It is entirely possible that your avocado plant doesn’t thrive in your location like you thought it would or you may experience avocado tree problems. Some people in this situation try to create a grafted tree using a part of their avocado stem.
Grafting is accomplished by connecting a branch with the rootstock of a different tree until they grow together. While it isn’t always successful, it is another fun experiment to try with your family.
How to Harvest Avocados
Those lucky enough to have trees that produce fruit must also take the time to learn how to harvest them.
When you notice that your fruits are flourishing, cut one or two of the largest fruits from the tree and have them sit at room temperature for about one week.
If they are ready to harvest, the avocados ripen as usual and become soft and ready to eat. Our first recipe would be to turn all of our hard work into the most delicious guacamole recipe possible.
Peel your avocados, remove the pits, and lightly mash the flesh in a large bowl. Add the lime juice and salt, and gently stir in your diced onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and fresh garlic.
Refrigerate your guacamole for one hour before serving for the best flavor.
Can you grow an avocado tree from a pit? Though most of us don’t live in warm enough locations to have avocado trees growing in our backyard, it is still possible to nurture these trees and keep them as beautiful houseplants.
Some even prefer to use them as a fun project for the kids. Regardless of your intentions, know that growing avocado trees from pits is possible no matter what part of the country you reside in.
If this article teaching you how to grow an avocado tree from a pit has helped you become more interested in indoor gardening, share this guide for growing avocado trees from pits on Facebook and Pinterest.