How to grow an avocado from a seed at home

Growing an avocado from a seed can be an exciting project that allows you to observe the entire growth process of this exotic plant. The process can be lengthy and laborious, but patience and effort will surely be rewarded.

Buying an avocado fruit from the store

Choosing the right avocado at the store is the first important step in the process of growing an avocado from a seed. It's essential to pick a fruit that is already fully ripe, as the seed inside such a fruit will be ready for germination.

When selecting the fruit, pay attention to its appearance. A ripe avocado typically has a dark green or almost black skin that is slightly firm when pressed. Avoid fruits with soft spots or other signs of damage, as they may indicate that the fruit is already starting to spoil.

Once you have chosen the right fruit, you can proceed to the next step - germinating the avocado seed.

Germinating the avocado seed

After you have eaten the avocado fruit, you will be left with a seed that needs to be carefully cleaned of any flesh. Try not to damage the seed during the cleaning process. Once the seed is cleaned, you should remove the thin brown skin from it.

The prepared avocado seed should be placed in water. To do this, make small indentations in the top part of the seed and insert toothpicks into them. These toothpicks will serve as support, allowing the seed to partially immerse in the water.

This position will provide the avocado seed with optimal conditions for germination: the water will moisten the bottom part of the seed, while the top part will be in contact with the air.

Place the glass with the seed in a warm, well-lit location, but away from direct sunlight. The water in the glass should be clean, so it is recommended to change it every 2-3 days.

The process of avocado seed germination can take from 2 to 6 weeks. The first signs of germination will be cracks in the seed and the appearance of a small root. Over time, the root will elongate, and a stem will start to grow from the top part of the seed.

Planting the seed in the soil

After a few weeks, your avocado's roots will reach a length of 5-6 cm, and young shoots will appear on the seed. Now it's time to transplant it into a pot. Choose a pot with a diameter of about 20 cm with good drainage. Use a mixture of compost soil and sand for planting the seed. Bury the seed in the soil so that the top half remains above the surface.

Growing conditions for avocado

Growing avocado at home requires specific conditions. Avocado loves bright but indirect light, so choose a spot near a window without direct sunlight. Avocado also prefers a warm temperature and high humidity. In hot summer days, you can place it outdoors, but during other times of the year, it's best to keep it indoors.

The place for avocado

The optimal place for avocado is a brightly lit window, but without direct sunlight. A relatively humid place will be better for avocado growth, but it's not mandatory if you provide regular watering and spraying.

Necessary air temperature

Avocado prefers warm temperatures from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius. However, the plant can survive at lower temperatures, but its growth will be slower. Avoid placing the pot with avocado near heating radiators or air conditioners, as this can cause dry air and temperature fluctuations.

Necessary air humidity

The optimal air humidity for avocado is 60-70%. This is quite a high level of humidity, which can be challenging to achieve in home conditions, especially in winter. However, you can use air humidifiers or regularly spray the plant with water to maintain the necessary humidity.

Caring for avocado

Caring for avocado includes proper watering, fertilization, transplantation, pruning, and pest control. Regular and proper care will help your avocado to grow and thrive.

Watering avocado

Water the avocado when the top layer of soil becomes dry. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.

Fertilizing avocado

During the active growth period (spring-summer), you can fertilize the avocado every two weeks with special indoor plant fertilizer.

Transplanting avocado

Avocado is usually transplanted every two years. However, if the plant grows very fast, you can transplant it annually. When transplanting, choose a pot that is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one.

Pruning avocado

Pruning helps shape a beautiful and neat avocado tree. When the plant reaches 30 cm in height, you can trim the top part to stimulate lateral growth. It is also recommended to trim dead or diseased branches.

Diseases, pests, and other issues

Among the most common problems that can arise when growing avocado are soil overmoistening, which can lead to root rot, and pests such as spider mites. If you notice signs of disease or pests, seek advice from specialists.

So, growing an avocado from a seed at home is an interesting and captivating process. By following all the recommendations mentioned above, you will be able to grow a beautiful and healthy plant.