SEARCH
MENU
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
Creative & Frugal Home & Garden Ideas

Empress of Dirt

  • Grow
  • Make
  • Ideas

New here?

Dig in!

Start here

How to Grow an Avocado from Seed (Easy Method)

Published on December 5, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
Read full disclosure statement here.

Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on Email

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.

Photos of half an avocado, sprouting avocado seed, and avocado plant leaves.

Grow an Avocado

Photos of half an avocado, sprouting avocado seed, and avocado plant leaves.

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

Cross-section of avocado fruit showing pit.
Remove the pit from a ripe avocado fruit for propagation

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.

Supplies for sprouting avocado seed including ripe avocado with pit, paper towel, and 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.

Avocado seed wrapped in paper towel.
Avocado seed wrapped in paper towel

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.

Avocado seeds sprouting roots.
Avocado seed beginning to sprout


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.

Diagram showing top and bottom of avocado seed.
Avocado seeds sprouting at different rates

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.

Diagram showing top and bottom of avocado seed.

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.

Growing an avocado from a grocery store seed.
Newly planted avocado seed with part of seed above soil level

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.

Small avocado plant growing in clay pot.
Young avocado houseplant

Related: How to Grow a Citrus Tree From Grocery Store Fruit

Caring for Your Avocado Plant

Save The Instructions

Empress of Dirt

FREE TIP SHEET

How To Grow Avocado From Seed

Avocado seed being propagated to grow a houseplant.
Get Free Tip Sheet

To save the file, please provide your email address for this purpose only.
We do not spam.

Growing Tips

Avocado | Genus: Persea

Avocado plant growing in clay pot.

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 ♛

Growing an avocado plant from seed.
Print Instructions Pin It
4.92 from 57 votes

How to Grow Avocado From Seed

Easy method for rooting an avocado seed to grow it as a houseplant. Fool-proof and no toothpicks required.
Total Time30 minutes mins
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • Potting mix
  • Flower pot

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.
Want More?Get your free Empress of Dirt Creative Newsletter

Ebook

Kitchen Propagation Handbook ebook cover.

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.

Buy Now
$6 US

PayPal, Credit Card, Apple Pay

Digital products are not available in EU, UK, and Northern Ireland due to tax regulations.

Photos of half an avocado, sprouting avocado seed, and avocado plant leaves.
Share on X (Twitter)Share on FacebookShare on PinterestShare on Email

FREE NEWSLETTER

EVERY TWO WEEKS

Creative, frugal home and (mostly) garden ideas in your inbox!



Privacy Policy


Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please rate these instructions out of 5 stars:




Comments

  1. Dawn says

    September 3, 2023 at 11:52 am

    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.

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      September 3, 2023 at 1:53 pm

      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.

      Reply
  2. Peter Barklay says

    August 25, 2023 at 11:37 am

    informative instructions
    thanks for sharing you knowledge with me.

    Reply
  3. BiancaJ says

    August 6, 2023 at 1:06 pm

    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!!!

    Reply
  4. Savannah says

    July 8, 2023 at 9:50 pm

    Worked very well for me and even though I cut it at first it still grew happy and healthy!!!!

    Reply
  5. Ellie says

    June 5, 2023 at 6:47 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      June 6, 2023 at 12:38 pm

      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!

      Reply
    • Kathy Parker says

      August 16, 2023 at 11:52 am

      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

      Reply
      • Melissa J. Will says

        August 16, 2023 at 6:23 pm

        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.

        Reply
  6. Betty Long says

    May 26, 2023 at 5:58 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      May 30, 2023 at 12:46 pm

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Vickie says

    May 20, 2023 at 6:20 pm

    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?

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      May 21, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      Hi Vickie,
      Not dumb at all! The only way to know is to try it. 🙂

      Reply
  8. Hannah says

    May 17, 2023 at 7:39 am

    I tried this but my avocado seed went mouldy! Where did I go wrong?

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      May 17, 2023 at 12:40 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Hannah says

        May 18, 2023 at 4:33 pm

        Ah thanks for replying! No it was a weird bluey-green. I’ll have to have another try

        Reply
        • Jules says

          May 19, 2023 at 2:44 pm

          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

  9. Taylor says

    May 13, 2023 at 11:38 am

    Hello I did mine yesterday shouod I check it today or not

    Reply
    • Melissa J. Will says

      May 14, 2023 at 12:44 pm

      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.

      Reply
  10. Sabah says

    May 11, 2023 at 10:26 am

    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!!

    Reply
  11. Katherine says

    May 9, 2023 at 6:43 am

    It’s really an easy method ,It worked out for me and like wow this is amazing

    Reply
  12. Madelyn says

    May 3, 2023 at 11:44 am

    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.

    Reply
  13. Mary K says

    April 28, 2023 at 1:54 pm

    good instructions. haven’t tried yet.

    Reply
    • Kelley says

      May 3, 2023 at 12:57 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Melissa J. Will says

        May 3, 2023 at 12:58 pm

        Yay!

        Reply
  14. Lynn Robertson says

    April 27, 2023 at 2:13 pm

    I had never heard of the paper towel baggie method! I’m going to try it! Thank you so much! 💚

    Reply
  15. Colleen says

    April 14, 2023 at 2:39 pm

    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!

    Reply
« Older Comments

Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
Join me as I share creative + frugal home & garden ideas with a dash of humor.
More: Contact/About
New here? Dig in!  |  Our Podcast
Free tools: Soil Calculator | Garden Name Generator

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Some articles on this site contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Affiliate and Ad Disclosure | Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Empress of Dirt Creative + Frugal Home & Garden Ideas