How to Grow an Avocado Tree from a Seed.

The seed in the middle of an Avocado isn't just there to annoy you, you can use it to grow a tree too! This article will explain the process with great detail, and helpful images.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One avocado (Yes, you can eat if first!)
• Small container to hold water
• Water
• 3 tooth picks
• Some potting soil

1. 

   Eat the avocado. Be careful when removing the seed so that you do no put any cuts in the seed.
   
   From my experience, it doesn't matter what type of avocado you go for. I bought the one I used the first time at Safeway!

2. Wash all of the avocado remnants from the seed.

3. 

   Poke three toothpicks into the side of the seed so that it can perch, halfway immersed in water, on the rim of your container.
   
   Set the seed with its base (the wider portion) down.

4. 

   The seed will germinate within a few months (or sooner if you live in a warm climate).
   
   The water should be changed at least every couple of weeks, before it gets dirty and depleted of oxygen

5. 

   Pot your tree into a container with soil.
   
   When you have substantial roots, and the tree has started growing out of the top of the seed, you should replant the seed into soil.
   
   Just get some ordinary potting soil and a relatively large container. A pot with 8-12" diameter should do the trick.

6. 

   Plant the tree. Plant the seed so that about half of it is underground.

7. 

   Harvest your Crop! (*note - may take a few years :)

Tips & Warnings

• One way to speed germination in soil is to remove the parchment like seed coat and slice a thin layer from both the top and the bottom of the seed before planting.
• Keep the Avocado Tree in a Sunny spot.
• When soil is dry, water. Feed regularly with houseplant food once or twice a month.
• If the leaves turn yellow, you’re watering it too much. If leaves turn brown, you’re not watering enough. If tree looks sickly, make sure you’re feeding it.
• If you want a bushy tree, pinch the leaves after it grows every 6 inches.
• Can be left outside during the summer months.
• Once you have a 6 inch stem with a couple leaves (this will take several weeks), cut the stem down to 3 inches.
• Do not let the water get dirty and oxygen depleted. The roots need oxygen to grow.
• If the leaves get dusty, clean them off with a damp cloth. Dusty leaves restrict the plant's breathing.
• Don't plant your tree to deep in the soil.

[marykutz]

on 8/1/2009 i have 10 10 year old avacaado tree and it is my pride and joy, however it is developing white spots on it that look to me as a fungus. can anyone help?

[marykutz]

on 8/1/2009 I have a 10 year old avacado tree gtowing in my house and is beautiful. However it is developing white dots on it that I think may be a pest of fungus. Does anyone have any advice for me?

[msrice]

on 6/30/2009 Out of all the Avocado seeds I've tried to grow, I finally have one started (YEA!). It now has a 9" stalk with 3 leaves. I will be planting it in a pot but I am a little afraid to cut it down to 3". I finally got one to grow and now I have to cut it down? :-(

[thesearcher]

on 5/5/2009 ok, great article for growing an avocado tree from seed.I appreciate which way to put it in the pot, as opposed to narrow versus wide, thank-you for that point. Just not sure about your first tip. Wouldn't that damage the tree, slicing a thing layer ? 5* and rec

[terigrantham8]

on 10/6/2008 I have a lemon tree that is 5 feet tall but is more like a stalk! Should I top it out or let it grow?