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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 Time:
30
mins
Author:
Melissa J. Will
Cost:
$10
Ingredients
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
Equipment
Potting mix
Flower pot
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
.