How To Grow Avocado Trees From A Seed

A few months ago I read an article on how to grow and avocado tree from a seed and thought I'd give it a go. I'm an avid gardener, an although I live in an apartment, I grow vegetables and other plants all year long. An example below is a shallot I grew from planting the bottom of a shop bought one. I have since planted the seeds from this shallot and they are now starting to germinate.

I can't get enough of nature and making my home like a jungle.

HOW TO GROW AN AVOCADO TREE FROM SEED

• Remove the pit (seed) from a ripe, fresh avocado. Wherever possible, avoid using a knife to avoid damaging the seed. This process can take a bit of time.

• Gently clean the seed under warm, flowing water, ensuring that all flesh is gone using a soft brush or cloth.

• Wrap the seed in a damp paper towel but make sure it is not dripping wet!

• When the seed germinates, it gradually cracks open, revealing a deep split, and a root (or roots) emerges from deep within the seed. As you can see from the hero shot in this post, my first seed only has one root, and the second one (photo below) has a few. Once I placed it in the water the seed sprouted a trunk and leaves.

• Place the seed in the glass container when the roots have emerged from the seed.

• The seed body nourishes the root growth, and the roots are sensitive, so handle with care.

• Place in a plastic food bag and store at room temperature. My seeds are on my kitchen bench and get quite warm so I am not sure if that's the secret, as a few people have told me they haven't been successful in sprouting an avocado seed.

• Keep an eye out for potential growth and check every few days to see if it has germinated. Mine took around 2-3 weeks. I first started to notice the seed cracking.

• You can grow your tree in a glass container like I have. Just make sure the roots are always in water. Eventually you will have to plant it in the garden or a pot.

Avocado Plant Care

• Keep your avocado plant in a warm, sunny location.

• Water frequently with an occasional deep soak. Keep plant moist but not overly saturated. As with most plants, make sure the soil drains well.

• Pinch the stem back every time your plant grows another six inches or so to encourage a bushier appearance.

• If you live in a warm enough climate, plant your tree outside once it is big enough. It is unlikely that your tree will produce fruit, but I guess miracles do happen!