Yes, you can grow avocados indoors. You may not live in a summery climate, but if you have room for a tall potted plant, you can try growing your avocado tree. Because these plants can sprout up to 80 feet, dwarf species are highly recommended for indoor gardens. There are two ways to attain an avocado plant: one is to buy it in a shop as you would other saplings, and the second is by growing it yourself. All you need is a fresh avocado pit.
Keep in mind that plants grown from pits are less likely to produce fruit, and it could take 7 to 10 years for avocados to begin growing. If your goal is to amass avocados, you might have more success buying an already-established dwarf avocado plant. But if you love gardening, experiments, and lovely-looking trees, try growing a pit.
“It’s actually easy to grow an avocado plant from the pit, which is something you really can’t do with any other plant,” says Tim Spann, Ph.D., plant physiologist and consultant to the California Avocado Commission. “These plants have been popular for decades because they require almost no care.” [1]
How to Grow an Avocado Houseplant from the Pit
1. Remove a pit from a ripe avocado and wash off any leftover bits of fruit. Do not let it dry out.
2. Stick three toothpicks through the middle of the pit, about half an inch deep. This will create a stand so that the seed can perch on a cup without falling in. The pointed part of the pit should face upward, and the fatter part should face downward.
3. Fill a cup to the brim with room-temperature water. Then, place the pit over the glass; the toothpicks should hold it in place so that the fatter part submerges about an inch into the water and the pointy end stays out of the water. “In the tropical forest, the avocado falls to the ground and gets eaten, and the pit remains nestled in the leaf litter on the forest floor,” says Spann. “You’re trying to emulate this environment by keeping the pit partially above the growing medium, which is the water, in this case.”
4. Place the cup in a warm area with indirect sunlight.
5. Change the water frequently, but ensure the lower half of the pit stays constantly inside the water.
6. You will see roots appear around 4 to 6 weeks. In 8 weeks, it will begin to sprout so look for the formation of a stem or shoot from the pointy end outside the water.
7. Eventually, little leaves will grow from the shoot. But you should gently remove these leaves to allow the avocado plant to focus on developing stronger roots and stems before it works on growing leaves.
8. When the roots fill most of the cup, transfer the plant into a terracotta or clay pot that is 10 inches wide with drainage holes filled with sandy potting soil or cactus soil. Place the seed in the center of the pot and make sure the pointed end is still facing upward and level with the soil but keep the stem uncovered.
9. Place near a sunny window and water well. “Avocados are extremely sensitive to wet feet, so let the pot dry out between waterings,” says Spann. Fertilize it as soon as you finish repotting it. [2]
Read: Life-changing: Here’s How To Perfectly Freeze Your Avocados
Tips for Caring for Avocado Plants in Pots
1. Keep the soil moist, but never soak it. Signs of too much water include soft stems and yellow leaves. But if leaves fall off, you should water them more.
2. When the plant grows about a foot tall, trim it until it’s 6 inches to make way for new shoots. Continue this sort of pruning to encourage bushier growth.
3. Fertilize the plant every month. You can use a standard houseplant fertilizer.
4. If you want, you can bring the plant outside in the summer but bring it back in if the weather drops below 45°F or 7°C.
5. Keep the plant in partial shade since the leaves can get sunburned in too much direct sunlight. [3]
6. Use stakes to support the main stem and help it grow straight.
7. Transfer the tree into a larger pot when it outgrows the old one
8. Cut off any suckers that grow from the rootstock.
9. Turn the tree often to help it grow evenly.
10. If you keep your avocado plant outside, keep an eye out for pests like thrips, mites, borers, and caterpillars so you can remove them as quickly as possible. [4]
Keep Reading: Seedless avocado exists and they are super delicious!
Sources
- “How to Grow an Avocado Tree from the Pit.” Country Living. Arricca Elin Sansone. January 12, 2022
- “How to Grow an Avocado Tree From Seed!” The Old Farmer’s Almanac. Catherine Boeckmann. May 31, 2023
- “Growing Avocados In Containers and Indoor Avocado Plant Care.” Gardening Know How. Bonnie L. Grant. August 6, 2021
- “How to Plant and Grow an Avocado Tree.” Better Homes and Gardens. Deb Wiley and Lynn McAlpine. August 16, 2023