My fascination with growing avocado trees took root in 2019 when I embarked on a home experiment using the seeds from the avocados I enjoyed each morning. The thought of discarding those seeds troubled me, and what began as a mere experiment blossomed into a passion. Nowadays, I have avocado trees at home and encourage people around me to grow avocado trees from seeds 🙂 Perhaps the idea of germinating a seed that can grow into a huge tree encourages people to do it and discover hidden gardeners within them.
Avocado trees offer more than just delectable fruits; they can add lush greenery to your living space as ornamental additions. Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, growing an avocado tree purely for its aesthetic appeal is a delightful project.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Growing Avocado Trees from Seeds at Home
Over the years, I’ve had many avocado trees, and their behaviour depends on the seed and care. People praise my gardening skills, but I confess I kill plants, including thriving avocado trees. Nevertheless, I’m passionate about gardening and experimentation. Since childhood, I’ve had a strong connection with nature, growing up with fruit-bearing trees like mango, guava, and papaya, which makes me feel lucky to have had that experience.
I always start my avocado tree as a hydroponic tree, then after some months, I take the strongest ones and pot them up with soil. When I started years ago, I put the avocado inside a bag with water, and that way, it always took longer, sometimes almost two months, to germinate. Then, I discovered that adding hydrogen peroxide to the bag with water would speed up the process of having roots in only 11 days. Of course, it will always depend on the seed type you’re using.
You will need only five things to have your own avocado tree:
Avocado seed peeled (peel under the tap, and it will be faster)
One pot with a lid or reusable bag
One paper towel
Water
A few drops of hydrogen peroxide, I use this one.
Germinate the Seed
Peel off the seed gently, place it into the pot or bag wrapped in a wet paper towel, add the hydrogen peroxide, and place it in a warm and dark room, usually under the sink or where your boiler is. Be sure to look every week to see if you need to add more water. The seed must always be wet.
One very important thing:
Write down the date the process began.
In about 2-6 weeks, you should see roots emerging from the bottom, so it’s time to plant or transfer to a container your germinated seed. I have a process where I start with a small glass, such as tequila glass – like the picture above – or a reed diffuser glass, and then I continue transferring once the root is too big for the container; I always save whiskey and tequila bottles as they have large necks. I don’t use toothpicks as it’s too awful.
Plant Your Seedling in the soil
Select a Pot: Choose a well-draining pot and fill it with a potting mix.
Transplant: Carefully remove the seedling from the water, not damaging the roots.
Plant at Depth: Plant the seedling with the top half exposed above the soil.
Water: Give it a thorough drink and place it in a sunny spot, ideally with 6-8 hours of sunlight.
Care
In water
Change the water every couple of days, and never let the water run out (the growing root needs to be submerged, always)! After 2-3 weeks, the tree part will be large. From there, you can move to a vase with a good height but a small neck. Finally, the stem begins to grow, but remember that it is a process that depends on the type of seed you are using and the weather. Change the water weekly.
In Soil
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avocado trees are sensitive to overwatering. Ensure your tree gets plenty of sunlight by placing it near a sunny window or using grow lights. Use a balanced fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer). Look for common pests like aphids and scale insects, and take prompt action if you spot any.
Patience Pays Off
Growing avocado trees from seed is a labour of love that requires patience. Your avocado tree can become a beautiful home garden with proper care and attention. Lately, I’ve been trying to create an avocado bonsai. Let’s see if it will work….
In a nutshell, growing your own avocado tree is a piece of cake. Follow these steps with love and patience, and you’ll watch it transform into a beautiful, green statement piece in your home.
Happy gardening! 🌿💚