How to grow your own avocado tree
Watch your leftover seed grow from pit to plant
1. Gather your equipment
Extract the seed and clean it. Make sure the seed’s brown skin remains intact. To begin the growing process you will also need four toothpicks, one drinking glass, a 25-centimetre pot and some potting soil.
2. Pierce the seed
Hold the seed with the pointier end at the top. Making sure they are evenly spaced, insert your toothpicks firmly halfway up the side of the avocado seed and pointing slightly downwards into it.
3. Add the water
Balance the seed on the glass, using your toothpicks to suspend it. Fill the glass with water until only the bottom third of the seed is submerged. This water will need to be changed regularly and checked to keep the surface level constant.
4. Watch it sprout
The best place to leave the seed to sprout is somewhere warm. The time it will take to root and sprout can vary, but is usually between two and eight weeks. You will notice the seed beginning to crack at the bottom before this occurs.
5. Monitor growth
Measure the height of the avocado sprout as it grows. When it reaches 15 centimetres, cut it back down to half the size. Doing this will encourage root growth. It will soon return to the same height again, so don’t worry about this impacting growth. Once it’s taller again, it’s ready to be moved.
6. New home
Plant the growing sprout into your pot, filled with potting soil. It will now have more space and nutrients to grow into a larger tree and needs access to sunlight. Remember to water your tree frequently to keep the soil moist, but not soaked. Occasional pruning will help produce a full and healthy tree.
Summary
Avocado trees make great houseplants, with the added bonus of them potentially producing new fruit. Some trees will bear fruit within three years, while others can take up to ten. Avocado trees thrive in warm weather, so the warmer the climate is, the more likely this will be. If you notice yellowing leaves, this is a sign you have overwatered the tree and should leave it to dry for a few days.
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