Before you toss an avocado pit in the trash, think about replanting it to grow an avocado tree. Why not? It’s a chance to learn new gardening skills, and while you wait for fruit to grow, you’ll have a pretty houseplant! I love the creamy avocado fruit, and I eat them on just about everything, so I am excited for this avocado plant venture.
I’ve seen people grow celery and lettuce from scraps and a cup of water at home, but it wasn’t until recently, I learned how to grow an avocado plant from the pit (seed) at home with the same growing concept. With the avocado seed, a couple toothpicks and a cup of water, an avocado plant could be in your future, too.
Here’s how to grown an avocado plant at home:
Materials:
- Avocado
- Knife (to cut the avocado)
- Glass cup (Mason jar)
- Toothpicks
- Water
Directions:
Step 1: Carefully remove the pit from the center of the avocado. I cut around the avocado to open it, which resulted in two halves. Next, I removed the avocado pit with my fingers, and then washed it gently with water.
Step 2: Grab 4 toothpicks because it’s time to put the seed in water. The bottom of the seed is flatter, and the top is shaped with a slight point. The pointy part will stick out of the water, and the flat part will be in the water, where the roots will emerge. Insert the toothpicks in the middle of the pit so the seed can sit evenly in the water on the ledge of the cup.
Step 3: Place the seed in a glass jar, and set in a sunny, warm location.
Step 4: Wait, watch and be patient. This is not something that happens overnight, or even in one week. Good things (and avocados are a good thing) take time, so bear that in mind with this project. I read it can take up to six to eight weeks to get a sprout. While you wait, be sure to change the water every couple days, or when it starts to look like it needs a refresh. I noticed the top of my seeds have dried out, and I read that next, the outer brown covering falls off, the pit splits and soon a small root emerges on the bottom. So, if you see a crack in the pit, that’s a good thing!
Once the stem grows to about 6 inches, cut it down to 3 inches. This promotes healthy branches. Once the stem is about 6 inches tall, plant it in some good rich soil in a planter. You will plant it in soil, just like you did in the water. The bottom half of the seed will be in the dirt, and the top half remains above the soil. Regularly water it and make sure it gets plenty of sunlight!
And that’s how you grown an avocado plant at home! Happy planting!
