Can you grow avocado indoors from seed? 6 easy steps from pit to holy moly guacamole!
It is much easier to grow an indoor avocado plant from seed than most people might think. The Australian climate is mostly avocado-friendly.
To be completely honest with you, patience is key for your avocado plant to grow into a fully mature tree, but a baby avocado plant with beautiful foliage is surprisingly fast and rewarding. They look good as indoor plants too!
Below is the list of what is needed and the steps you should follow.
Cleaned avocado seeds
(hint, success rates are not always 100% so get as many avocado seeds as possible)
Toothpicks
Cup
Water
Pot*
Mixing potting mixture*
* The last two elements are needed only if you want to go beyond the hydroponic stage – I never bother!
How to grow avocado indoors- Six easy steps for you to follow
1. Prepare your avocado seed
Source an avocado seed starting with the whole fruit. A good idea is to ask family members and friends to donate their pits. Organic avocados that have never been refrigerated are more likely to yield better results.
Clean your avocado seed by washing it and making sure that all the flesh has been removed.
Allow the pit to soak overnight at room temperature, or in warm water.
Dry the pit the next day and allow it to dry for several hours. The pit’s skin will begin to wrinkle the following day. At this stage, you can peel off the skin – it should come off pretty easily.
2. Make sure your pit is half dry/half wet
It is now time to place your seed in a container or cup.
It is important that this stage is dry. The pointy end must remain above the water level, and the round portion where the “eye” is located should stay submerged.
This can be done by inserting a toothpick (or cake skewers) through the seed. They should be about one-half inch above the bottom of the seed.
Your avocado pit will stay half dry and half wet with the toothpick helping it to hang half above the water level.
3. Locate the best spot for your pit
A pit needs to be warm. Avocado trees thrive in warm, sunny areas with plenty of sunlight. Most (not all though) of Australia’s climate is suitable for avocados.
Find a warm, sunny spot in your house to put your avocado cup. Direct sunlight is the best method to encourage the growth of the seed. However, an indoor herb garden kit with lights can work too – they are particularly important if you live in a cooler climate with poor sunlight.
At this stage, you may add some fertilizer once or twice a month (spring). I once added Bokashi tea to my kids’ avocado and managed to kill it – needless to say the very acidic Bokashi fertilizer is not a good option (even when heavily diluted).
4. Make sure you always have clean water
It is crucial that water gets changed regularly after you have found a spot. Like all hydroponic indoor plants, avocados love pure water. Every two days is as far as I recommend stretching.
5. Watch the roots grow
You are all set now! And that’s when patience is required!
It can take between two and six weeks for this process to complete. The pit will crack to allow roots to grow down, while the stem will grow up – towards the light.
IFear not if you’ve tried but failed to get your pit to germinate! This happens to everyone. I have a success rate of about 50 per cent. It’s because of this that I suggest starting with a few seeds – not just one.
Avocado plants are a great ornamental indoor plant. That is why I stop avocado-growing at this point in time.
If you’re more determined than I am, however, your avocado plant can be transferred to soil and, possibly, to an outside garden environment – provided that you have the appropriate weather conditions. Please note, once avocados go outdoor, the particular variety of avo you are growing will dictate the plant’s optimal conditions.
Although my kids love the idea and it is something we both enjoy, life can be hectic. We have a limit on what we can accomplish. If you have the energy and time, the next step is to transfer to soil!
6. You can transfer it to soil
You can transplant your baby plant into soil once you have established a strong root system that is at least 3 cm in length and healthy leaves.
As drainage is important, I suggest that you plant a pot with a minimum 12 cm diameter and use an organic potting mixture with some sand.
Similar to how you did with water, roots should be covered and the bottom of the pit should be covered in potting mix. The pointy end must be over ground.
Place your plants in a well-lit and warm place. Similar conditions to the hydroponic stage.
The soil should be kept moist but not soggy. Before you water again, the plant must be completely dry. To check the water level, you can either test it with your finger or insert a wooden stick into the soil.
Organic fertilizer should be applied once a month, and two times a year in the Spring and Summer to accelerate growth. Bokashi tea is not recommended for fertilizing plants. I did it and my avocado was ruined.
Although the stage from pit to sprout is quick, it takes patience because growth slows down.
Final thoughts
It is definitely achievable to grow baby avocado plants indoors. This does not require any high level gardening skills. Avocado plants are a great houseplant addition that can be grown by complete beginners and children.
Avocado growth is very fast in the early stages. This makes it very enjoyable. You will however need to be patient in order to get a full-grown avocado.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of avocados?
Although there are numerous avocado varieties, only few are available commercially. In Australia, Hass avocados account for about 81% of the market. Shepards are a distant second with 16% of the market!
Which avocado is best to grow indoors and which one should you avoid?
Your environment is the most important factor. in Australia, the most common avocado variety is Hass. We recommend starting with that one or, alternatively, Shepard avocados.
Can you use artificial light to grow avocados?
Although small plants and sprouting pits can thrive under grow lights, larger trees will require more attention and will need sunlight!
From where did avocado originate?
Avocado trees are a native product of central/south Mexico. Avocados are a common staple food throughout Central America. Hello Guacamole!
