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
Save The Instructions
Empress of Dirt
How To Grow Avocado From Seed
Save to your device and/or print it.
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.
Kitchen Propagation Handbook
7 Fruits & Vegetables To Regrow As Houseplants
by Melissa J. Will
Learn how to grow houseplants from avocado, oranges, lemons, ginger, and more using leftover pits, seeds, and roots.
About This Ebook | Visit Ebook Shop
This ebook is a digital file (PDF format) you save to your device. It is not a physical product.
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Kaitlin says
I have left my avocado seed after the paper towel process in water it has gotten pretty big and the roots are a good 6 inches long. I’m nervous to plant it into soil,any advice?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Kaitlin,
I would plant it in potting mix. Choose a pot big enough to accommodate the roots without bending or breaking them.
Kaitlin says
can I trim half an inch off the roots? I found a pot yesterday brought it home and it’s a tad too short :/
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Kaitlin,
While the plant may survive the cutting, ultimately, you want room for the roots to grow. I’d hold out for a larger pot that the plant can stay in for a few years.
Donna says
I have read that once the stem and leaves of the avocado pit reach 6 or 7 inches, you should cut it back by 3 inches for more growth. Is this true? If so, can I pot the 3 inch stem with leaves?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Donna,
It’s not known. Some do fine with cutting back, others do not. I always recommend rooting a bunch of them so there’s room to experiment. There are no studies on this type of home propagation so any testimonials are just anecdotal (including mine). If you’re willing to test it out, it’s fun to see what happens (even if you lose a few plants along the way).
Sam DeFini says
When is it time to totally cover the seed with soil?
Melissa J. Will says
You don’t need to.
Theresa says
very great info presented so clearly and I love that we can do this planting of fruit seeds withe a variety of fruits. I would love the paper book but I think I will try the ebook for now. thanks so much!
Nadia Thomas says
I have 3 plants growing out of 1 seed. Do I need to trim any off?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Nadia, This happens fairly often. You can either trim two away or leave it and have an unusual plant.
Nadia Thomas says
Thank you so much.
Elsie says
I am curious why one seed requires 8” pot. Can you explain? Thanks
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Elsie,
It’s a good option to allow enough room for growth for some time while not requiring a lot of potting mix or taking up a lot of space.
Janice Vernal says
Can’t wait to try. I have always used the toothpick method. Two questions, I have already put the toothpicks in, will your method still work? Second, I’ve been told that in SW Colorado (elevation 6500) they will not grow, any thoughts?
Thanks
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Janice, Yes, you can switch it over to the paper towel method. As for higher elevations, I do not have any info on this. If you try it, let me know how it goes.
Gabriella says
I have NEVER been able to keep any type of plant/flower alive…let alone GROW my own plant from SCRATCH. your instructions were so clear and easy to follow. I started in September 2022 with 9 seeds. 3 didn’t do well, but I have 6 healthy plants that are growing and thriving (at different pases) and I’m shocked! I wish I could send a picture, I’m truly proud of myself and can’t believe I actually grew something.
Melissa J. Will says
Well done, Gabriella! I hope this is the beginning of lots of enjoyable plant growing. 🙂
Brenda McDonald says
When I cut open my avocado to eat it, I noticed that the seed already had roots sprouted. I decided I would try growing it. I thought how can I transport it safely home from Florida to Texas? I used the exact method you gave, to wrap the seed in a wet paper towel and placed it in a ziploc bag. The seed split and two trees is growing from seed. One tree is slightly bigger. I plan on separating them at some point. Do you have any information on how to separate them, is it even possible? Please share your thoughts.
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Brenda,
In my experience, splitting them can be high risk and you may lose both. I prefer to either grow a double plant or remove the smaller one by trimming it off at the base of its stem.
Julie Newlun says
I stumbled onto your site while looking for instructions on overwintering a potted first-year fig (Chicago Hardy, a bare-root plant in a carton bought on a whim at Home Depot this past spring). Good instructions regarding the fig, and now I find that I am going to have to try growing an avocado from seed, too, after reading this article. 🙂 Thanks for your clear and specific instructions for both from me in USDA Zone 5.
Melissa J. Will says
Thank you, Julie. Happy growing!
Debbie B. Hall says
Love the directions about growing an avocado from the seed. Thank you so much!
Kristin Lehere says
This method was a Great success in my classroom! I highly recommend this process!
Hope says
The information is written explicitly, I’m impressed. I love gardening,and the presentation of facts, serves as an encouragement. Thanks so much.
Theresa says
Awesome information to get started and share with grandkids.
Aidan says
Only read this post after sticking toothpicks in a supermarket Avo pit a few weeks ago and, with a little root poking out wanted to know what best time to plant… thanks for advice.
IIRC from the last time I did this >20 years ago (with no internet to guide me), you need to pitch the growing tip out quite early otherwise it grows spindly and top heavy before branching…
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Aidan,
There’s no strict rule for planting. I like to wait until the roots are a few inches long before planting in potting mix.
Aidan says
Shoot about 1.5”, 2 roots about 2.5”… planted out and getting the last rays of summer sun… will bring it in once there’s a chill in the air. I expect it won’t he hardy this year?!?
Jennifer says
Hi, so I followed all the instructions, except once I took the seed out of the paper towel I placed it in a pickle jar until the root got to about 3 inches and the sprout was about the same length.. I then placed it in a medium sized pot and placed a water globe in the soil (I’m forgetful when watering) and the only issue is, is that the top of the soil has a bit of mold fuzz on top… what should I do?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Jennifer,
Generally, white fuzzy molds tend to be harmless to the plant (there are lots of kinds). It usually indicates over-watering and/or bad air flow. If you might be overwatering, slow that down and (if you can) run a fan for some of the day at the plant to provide better air flow ongoing. Good luck with your plant!
Donna Blakely says
I have a avocado seed that has produced a tree about 12 in. tall in a jar with H2O and using toothpicks. Now not sure how I can successfully transplant to soil.
I have read your article about having a avocado houseplant.
Do I top this along with cutting some of the roots?
Thank you for anything you can share .
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Donna,
Trimming the roots is optional. I just do it if they are too big for the pot. Otherwise, leave them as they are. Good luck with your plant!
Loren Hubbard says
so I have 3 that have sprouted I’m confused does the sprout grow up or is that the root? there are no thin roots showing it just is split in half just not sure which is up or down?
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Loren,
No worries. No two sprouting avocados looks the same but the roots are generally thick and white. Just plant whatever has sprouted below soil level. If you have roots and shoots, the plant will sort it out. The roots will grow below soil level and the shoots will find their way above soil level.
Gail Cook says
I followed your instructions and viola, I just planted the sprouted seed in a planter today and set it in indirect sunlight. It took over a month to sprout and get roots 3 inches and I believe the stem came out as well, although it’s sideways. Hopefully the plant will set itself right. We’ll see. Thanks for all of the information on avocados.
Regina says
Thank you for being honest about actually getting any avocados (at best, in about a decade, at worst, no). I’ve come across many “grow an avocado plant from the pit” articles,but this is the first one I’ve seen to let you know what you are truly in for 🥑
Michelle says
Thank you for the amazing article. The instructions and photos were top notch. I have my seed in a baggie now! Crossing my fingers.