How to Grow an Avocado from Seed (Easy Method)

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.

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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.

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

Growing Tips

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.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛