How to Grow Avocado in a Pot

One of the easiest trees to grow from seed is the avocado. You can even grow it in a flowerpot. Given proper exposure to sunlight, you can keep it as a houseplant. Here's how.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Avocado seed
• Glass container
• Toothpicks
• Potting Soil
• Flowerpot

1. Save the seed. When you cut open a ripe avocado, scoop out the seed carefully, rinse off the slippery coating and pat dry. Do not remove the brown seed cover.

2. 
   Mount the seed in water.

   Mount the seed in water. Prepare a glass container where you will mount the seed until it grows roots. Punch the sides of the seed with three to four toothpicks that will hold the seed up so that it doesn't sink into the water. Rest the seed on the mouth of the container with the pointed end on top. Pour enough water into the container to submerge the bottom side of the seed.

3. 
   Monitor the water.

   Monitor the water. Check the water level everyday. Be sure the bottom of the seed is submerged. Change the water two to three times a week to prevent molds.

4. 
   Let the seedling grow.

   Let the seedling grow. Leave the seed in the water container until it grows big, strong roots and a healthy shoot with several leaves. This will take several weeks.

5. 
   Transplant to a flowerpot.

   Transplant the seedling into a flowerpot. Choose a medium-sized flowerpot and good quality potting soil. Plant the seedling so that the top of the seed is somewhat exposed. This ensures that the base of the seedling trunk doesn't rot under the soil.

6. Provide full sun and water when the soil becomes dry. Fertilize during the growing period (spring and summer).

7. 
   Prune for an excellent houseplant.

   Prune as desired. Nip off the tips of shooting branches to encourage side growths, leading to a short but lush tree and an excellent houseplant.

Tips & Warnings

• Place the seed-growing container in a bright location, like the kitchen window, to encourage healthy growth.
• Put the avocado seed in water immediately. If you wait a few days, the seed will dry out and die.
• It is important to change the water in the seed-growing container because fresh water replenishes the oxygen in the water that the seed needs to grow. Without oxygen, the seed will rot.
• Plant the seedling in soil when the shoot has three to five leaves. If you wait longer, the seedling will wither and die.

Resources

• The GardenHelper: Growing Avocado Seeds into Trees
• UNL Extension: Garden Activities for Youth: Start Avocado Trees

[janlooks]

on 4/18/2009 CAN YOU GROW ANOTHER PLANT FROM THE BRANCH YOU CUT OFF

[natlog]

on 11/24/2008 I have found that the avocado seed rots where the toothpicks pierce it. I have had good luck placing it in old aquarium filter charcoal or aquarium gravel, which both keeps it upright and fertilizes it at the same time.

[ladydrummond]

on 10/16/2008 There is a much easier method to rooting the seed than putting it in a glass with toothpicks and monitoring the water level each day. I did that for years. Finally I put the seed in a zip lock bag, added water to about half the level of the seed size, zipped it almost close and put it in a sunny window. The water remains for weeks and the seed grows roots and a shoot within a month! Wa La! Give it a try!

[dreamteller]

on 10/15/2008 I've grow an avocado before, but it became one long stem. Now that I have your tips for pruning I can't wait to try again.

[Upstatemom]

on 9/23/2008 Thanks! I see what I've been doing wrong now. Great article.