How to: Growing an avocado plant

They are a hype on Instagram: avocado plants. I too was (and still am) under the spell of the avocado plant. I first planted an avocado seed after I had slaughtered an avocado. Over 5 months later, the seed has grown into a miniature tree. Do you also want to grow an avocado into a plant? With these tips and my experiences, you will succeed! With a little patience, that is.

Growing an avocado into a plant

So at the moment there is a mini avocado tree in my window sill. And here I was thinking I was the only green blogger without a green thumb. I have underestimated myself. The avocado seed actually grows very well!

Avocado root

This was the first time I planted an avocado seed. Good luck it was, because after two months a small root grew out of the seed. Enthusiastic as I was, I immediately went on to plant three more seeds. Perhaps I was a little too enthusiastic, because these three seeds failed to sprout. Crying. Perhaps it was too cold and too dark in our little country.

Avocado seed plants

Anyway, I am very happy with my avocado plant and I can’t wait for it to become a ‘real’ tree. Now you’re probably thinking: fat! I want to join in the hype and have my own avocado plant. That’s good, because in this article I’ll give you tips on how to grow an avocado plant yourself. I will also tell you from my experience what is best for an avocado plant. Tip: Start planting in spring, so the avocado seed gets plenty of sunlight and warmth!

What do you need to grow an avocado?

• 1 avocado;
• 1 glass (not too small and too wide);
• 4 toothpicks;
• Water;
• Sunlight.

Growing the avocado seed

1. Remove the avocado seed from the avocado. Use the flesh for a sandwich or for guacamole.
2. Rinse the stone well so that the slimy membrane disappears and the stone feels rough to the touch.
3. Insert four toothpicks diagonally into the kernel at the top. The thick body is at the bottom and the point sticks out.
4. Place the avocado pit on the glass and fill the glass with water until the thick body is in the water. Only that part should be in the water continuously.
5. Put the glass in a warm place where the sun shines a lot, like a windowsill on the south side.
6. Check every day whether the fat body is in the water. If not, top up the water.
7. Clean the avocado seed every four days. A slimy layer will form on the pit, which could be mouldy. Also refresh the water.
8. Now it is about two months of waiting, loving and being patient until the avocado cracks and a root grows out of the bottom.

Tip: Start planting in spring, so that the avocado seed gets plenty of sunlight and warmth!

Root from avocado seed

Hurray! A root has finally grown out of your avocado! You’ve overcome the challenge of waiting. But how do you transplant the seed? I’ll explain it all to you!

• What do you need to repot the avocado seed?
• Avocado seed with root;
• Plant pot with hole, for example terracotta;
• Plant saucer;
• Mediterranean potting soil;
• Perlite;
• Rainwater.

Repot avocado seed

Wait until the avocado root is about 5 centimetres. Mine was 20 centimetres by now and started to curl, because I didn’t know when to repot it…

Remove or break the toothpicks from the kernel.

1. Wait until the avocado root is about 5 centimetres. Mine was 20 centimetres by now and started to curl, because I didn’t know when to repot it….
2. Remove or break the toothpicks from the pit.
3. Fill the plant pot with hole halfway with potting compost and perlite, and put the avocado seed in the pot.
4. Hold the seed and fill the pot with more potting compost and perlite until the seed is in the potting compost. The point sticks out above the potting soil.
5. Gently press the potting soil and place the plant pot with hole on the plant saucer. I did not use a pot with a hole, but the water can drain off better this way.
6. Place the pot in a warm spot with indirect sunlight again and give the avocado seed plenty of rainwater.
7. When the soil starts to get dry, water the seed. It needs a lot of water.
8. Now it is time to wait again.

Tip: Give your avocado plant rainwater. Tap water contains calcium, which your plant does not like very much. You can also boil water first, let it cool down and give it to your plant.

Your own avocado plant

Waiting is rewarded, because if you follow my tips above, you will have an avocado plant growing in your pot in no time. Every three days the plant grows a bit bigger. Bizarre! It seems like magic.

Of course I am curious to know whether you have an avocado plant or are going to plant one! Send me pictures, because it would be great to see what your avocado plant looks like! So growing an avocado is not that difficult at all.

How do you care for an avocado plant?

Do you have an avocado plant? Then it’s important to take good care of it. That’s why I wrote an article about taking care of an avocado plant. This way you will bring out the best in your plant.