If you’ve been trying to root avocado seeds by suspending them over a glass of water with toothpicks, there is an easier way. I’ll show you a no-fuss way to root avocado pits to create new houseplants.
I recommend this method because it takes little effort and shows you exactly which seeds will germinate before planting them in pots.
Grow an Avocado
Forget the toothpicks and water! And don’t bother with the plastic gizmo on Amazon that suspends the seed over water. This method (below) works better. With just a few household supplies you can make your avocado seeds sprout.
I have tested this easy method on a lot of grocery store avocados and the germination rate is quite good.
I don’t like the toothpick method because it’s fussy, requires more effort, can rot the seed, and is not as reliable.
You can also try sprouting avocado seeds directly in moist potting mix, but that too can be hit and miss.
By using the method shown below you can know ahead of time if the seed will actually grow before bothering to plant it.
Before You Start
A little reality check.
No need to rush out and buy chips for your homegrown guacamole.
Odds are your avocado plant is not going to produce fruit, or, if it does, it will take many years and may not produce good fruit.
Growing an avocado from seed is the slowest and least reliable way to get true (same as the parent) fruit.
Commercial growers use grafting methods to ensure fruit quality and quantity that are not really possible for home growers.
But, starting a plant from the seed/pit is an easy way to grow a free houseplant. If it does fruit, it could take as long as 8-20 years. Grafted avocados produce fruit in 2-3 years.
The actual pollination process in rather unusual and intriguing and worth further reading if you are interested.
So, start saving those pits and get growing.
There is an option to save the instructions at the bottom of the page.
You can also use this same method for growing mango plants from grocery store fruit.
I’ll show you how to sprout your seed, plant your seed, and care for it as a houseplant.
Easy Way to Grow an Avocado Seed
It takes 4-6 weeks for avocado seeds to be rooted and ready for planting.
Prepare The Seed
You will need one ripe avocado fruit, paper towel, and a plastic food bag.
Remove the seed (pit) from a fresh, ripe avocado. Avoid using a knife where it might damage the seed.
Gently clean the seed under warm, running water using a soft brush or cloth ensuring all flesh is removed.
Wrap the seed in a sheet of damp (not dripping wet) paper towel or a tea towel.
Place in a plastic food bag (do not zip shut) and store in a dark cupboard at room temperature (around 70°F / 21°C).
Watch For Growth
Check on your seed every 4 days or so. I put a reminder in my phone calendar so I don’t forget.
At first you just need to ensure the paper towel stays damp. After a few weeks you’ll start to notice signs of germination.
When the seed is germinating, it will gradually crack open, revealing a deep split, and, eventually a root (or roots) will grow from deep inside the seed.
Do not break the seed apart: the seed body feeds the root growth, and the roots are delicate, so handle with care and do not break them.
The next photo shows avocado seeds after a month in the damp paper towel.
Notice how they germinate at different rates.
Some are just getting started. Two are doing well. One is refusing to budge.
I will give these ones another few weeks and then plant the strongest ones.
It’s helpful to know that no two sprouted avocado seeds look exactly alike. There are many crazy variations!
If the roots are growing in all different directions, don’t worry. The plant will sort things out later.
When the root is 3-inches long (there may be several roots), your seed is ready for planting in a flower pot.
Keep reading for tips on how to plant the sprouted seed.
Related: Are Avocado Seeds Safe to Eat? No!
How to Plant a Sprouted Avocado Seed
Supplies
- Sprouted avocado seed
- 8-inch flower pot with drainage holes (for a 2-inch avocado seed)
- Indoor potting mix for houseplants
Avocados like good drainage so you can also amend the potting mix with perlite or sand if you like.
How to Tell the Top From the Bottom
Can you tell the top of your seed from the bottom? The top is (usually) tapered or pointy. The bottom is often broader and flat with a round, scaly marking. The roots will (usually) grow out the bottom but not always. We plant the sprouted seed with the bottom and roots aiming down into the pot.
Plant The Sprouted Seed
To plant, fill the pot half way with potting mix and gently place the seed in the pot.
Handle with care so the roots do not break.
If your root (or roots) are much longer than your pot size, you risk snapping them during the potting process while trying to fit everything into the pot. If you can’t use a larger pot, you can selectively cut them back—but don’t overdo it. Use sharp scissors cleaned with rubbing alcohol or bleach solution (4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water for at least one minute). It is said that root pruning (trimming) can also help produce a bushy rather than a tall, leggy plant but I have not found research to confirm it.
The roots may also be growing in all different directions and/or you may not be able to distinguish a root from a shoot. If so, just be sure to place everything root-like under the soil surface. The plant will know what to do from there.
While steadying the seed, gently press down the potting mix and add more as needed, leaving the top inch of the seed above soil level. If you don’t already have a stem, one will grow.
Water (room temperature distilled water) until moist, not damp. Top up the potting mix as needed.
Place in warm, draft-free location with strong, indirect light.
As it grows, leaves will form.
Related: How to Grow a Citrus Tree From Grocery Store Fruit
Caring for Your Avocado Plant
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Growing Tips
Avocado | Genus: Persea
Avocado Houseplant Growing Tips
Tropical plant
• Light: Full, indirect sun
• Humidity: Moderate to high
• Soil: do not dry out
• Fertilizer: houseplant fertilizer 7-9-5
• Shape: Pinch back top leaves to encourage new side shoots
• Room Temperature: 60° to 85°F (16° to 30°C)
Propagation
• For Fruit: Start with a grafted tree
• For Fun: Grow seed into non-fruiting houseplant
For complete growing instructions see How to Grow Your Avocado Tree Indoors. This includes tips for planting, choosing potting mix, best containers, pruning and pinching, repotting, and if the plant might flower.
Dropping Leaves or Leaves Turning Brown?
This is common with seasonal changes indoors. Change of light and humidity can make the plant sulk: leaves may turn brown and drop. Don’t give up: mine rebound when winter is done and we have the central heating off once again.
Avocado Trivia
- The word ‘avocado’ originates from a word meaning ‘testicle’. Yes, that’s the first time that word has come up in my garden writing.
- The fruit of an avocado (the part we eat), is actually a large berry and the pit is a seed.
- Avocados are considered a healthy food choice, providing (primarily) monounsaturated fat, vitamins B6, C, E, and potassium, magnesium, and folate.
- Avocados are much richer in potassium than bananas (which are always heralded as potassium-rich).
- Bananas have 358 mg per 100 grams. Avocados have 485 mg per 100 grams.
- Avocados must be left to mature on the tree, but then ripen after harvesting. The hard, green fruit can take two weeks to ripen, although this is faster if exposed to ethylene gas.
- Grafted avocado plants produce fruit with a few years compared to germinated seeds (8-20 years).
- The pollination process for avocados is interesting: on day one female flowers open; on day two they are male and shed their pollen.
- There are three species of avocados and many varieties. Fruit sizes and tastes vary.
- 1. Guatemalan (Persea nubigena var. guatamalensis L. Wms.)
- 2. Mexican (P. americana var. drymifolia Blake)
- 3. West Indian (P. americana Mill. var. americana)
- If you do not live in a growing area, the avocados in your grocery store probably always come from the same few sources (depending on import/export laws).
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
How to Grow Avocado From Seed
Equipment
Supplies & Materials
- 1 Avocado ripe
- 1 Tea towel or paper towels
- 1 Food container or plastic food bag
- 1 8-inch Flower pot with saucer
- 1 bag Potting Mix
Instructions
Prepare Avocado
- Remove seed (pit) from a ripe avocado. Do not let knife touch seed to prevent damage.
- Gently wash seed under warm running water removing any avocado flesh.
- Take a before photo.
Start Rooting Process
- Wrap seed in damp (but not soaking wet) tea towel or paper towel.
- Place wrapped seed in food storage container or plastic food bag in dark kitchen cupboard. Do not seal bag/cover container or seed may get moldy.
Check Seed
- Check seed every 4 days or so by carefully unwrapping cover.
- Look for any visible changes and take more photos.
- Ensure towel is still moist and return to container.
- At first the seed will start to crack open (this is good) and one or more roots will grow from inside.
Plant Rooted Seed
- After approximately 4-6 weeks, the root should be around 3-inches long and ready to plant.
- Plant in 8-inch flower pot with roots facing down (or sideways if they grew that way).
- Cover in potting mix with top half-inch of seed above soil level.
- If roots are too big for pot, trim away excess, then plant and water.
Avocado Plant Care
- Grow your plant in a draft-free location with strong, indirect light.
- Avocado plants enjoy moderate to high humidity: never allow your plant to dry out.
- Use 7:9:5 fertilizer as directed.
- Keep taking photos to monitor growth.
Notes
- For more tips on avocado plant care see How to Grow an Avocado Tree.
- To grow a mango plants see How to Grow Mango From Seed.
- For ginger, pineapple, and more see The Kitchen Propagation Handbook.
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7 Fruits & Vegetables To Regrow As Houseplants
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Dawn says
What if you put them outside. Do I put them in the shade or partly shaded area. Is it ok to bring them inside if the temp gets too low. We live in SE GA. Hot & humid.
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Dawn,
These plants don’t do well with change. Sometimes just going from outside to inside is enough for all the leaves to drop and never grow back.
The year-round desirable temperature range is 60° to 85°F (16° to 30°C) with consistent light.
This article on indoor care gives more hints about what they like best in a non-tropical setting:
https://empressofdirt.net/grow-avocado-tree/
As always, a willingness to experiment needs to come with an acceptance that the plant may not thrive or survive.
Peter Barklay says
informative instructions
thanks for sharing you knowledge with me.
BiancaJ says
This was very informative and a very easy step by step process on how to grow an avocado plant from a store bought avocado. I didn’t realize how long it takes for the plant to be able to bear an avocado. I guess I’ll continue to buy them from the grocery store, but I will try your method to grow a house plant. Thanks!!!
Savannah says
Worked very well for me and even though I cut it at first it still grew happy and healthy!!!!
Ellie says
Started with 3 about a month ago, I’ve now got 6 in my plastic bag lol. The first 3 have started to sprout but nowhere near ready to plant. I was just wondering, when the time comes, does it matter which side of the seed is pointed upward?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Ellie,
Every seed sprouts differently. For some, the roots are clearly aiming one way and when planting, those would be aimed down. For others, it’s not so clear. If you can tell, aim roots down. If not, guess. The plant will sort it out eventually. Once planted in potting mix, they send roots down and shoots and leaves up. Have fun and always grow extras!
Kathy Parker says
I am over the moon!! Thank you so much for these instructions…it is the first time I have EVER been able to get an avocado to germinate..and I’m 50 yrs old!!!
This is definitely a fool proof method as you say! Wish I could share a photo!
Thank you again
Kathy
Melissa J. Will says
Glad it worked for you! The secret is just that the moist paper towel keeps the seed consistently moist–something planting in soil may not achieve — and something the toothpick method does not always provide enough of.
Betty Long says
I have three growing at different stages. I have another one showing distress. Leaves all fell off but still alive. What can I do. I saw one article early on that advised cutting first growth off at about 6 in. To encourage fuller plants. I could not, the leaves were so beautiful. They are tall and leggy but beautiful.
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Betty,
There’s no one right or wrong way to manage their growth since, as you’ve noted, each one grows differently. And there are no guarantees whether we leave them alone or cut them back. You just have to be willing to experiment, learn, and grow more. 🙂
Vickie says
Here’s a dumb question. I pulled out a seed and let it sit, and it’s very dry now. Would this still work, or should I only do it with a fresh seed?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Vickie,
Not dumb at all! The only way to know is to try it. 🙂
Hannah says
I tried this but my avocado seed went mouldy! Where did I go wrong?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Hannah,
Mould is not necessary a bad thing — is it white and fuzzy? It can forms when humidity / moisture are a bit high. If your seed still looks healthy, just wash off the mould and continue. Make sure paper towel is not soaking wet — just nicely moist.
Hannah says
Ah thanks for replying! No it was a weird bluey-green. I’ll have to have another try
Jules says
It is satisfying to see it shoot, mine took about 10 weeks to get to get to 9” with leaves in warm conservatory, watered with banana water
Taylor says
Hello I did mine yesterday shouod I check it today or not
Melissa J. Will says
It’s fine to check it any time. You won’t see anything new after one day though. When checking, you want to ensure the paper towel is still moist, check for any new growth or cracks in the seed (all good), and be sure to wrap it back up nicely so all parts of the seed have contact with the moist towel.
Sabah says
Thank you for your instructions and for telling us how long it would take to give fruit. i will just buy an avocado tree. You have saved me a disappointment. I appreciate you!!
Katherine says
It’s really an easy method ,It worked out for me and like wow this is amazing
Madelyn says
I’ve gotten to the deep crack phase after maybe 2 months(probably a little less), and I can see the taproot making its way out! This method works, and is super easy. Patience is definitely a requirement, however.
Mary K says
good instructions. haven’t tried yet.
Kelley says
It worked!! My 4-year-old and I have tried unsuccessfully to sprout an avocado seed using the suspended-with-toothpicks method several times with no luck. I found your article and now, several weeks later, we’ve got a seed with several roots ready to go into a pot! My daughter was SO THRILLED when our seed split and the first root peeked out. We’ll plant it today and keep our fingers crossed for a fun new houseplant. Thank you for this great method!
Melissa J. Will says
Yay!
Lynn Robertson says
I had never heard of the paper towel baggie method! I’m going to try it! Thank you so much! 💚
Colleen says
Thank you so much for these instructions. I tried the avocado seed suspended in water using toothpicks method with no success, but using your method I had an avocado seed that sprouted roots on my first try! I planted my seed following your instructions as well and I now have a nice little house plant going. And let me just say, I definitely do not have a green thumb. Thank you again!