Before avocados became a healthy trend in modern diets, from avocado toast to avocado salad, our grandmas were already fond of growing them in their backyards. There’s no better way to continue this delectable tradition than by growing one in the comfort of your own home.
Aside from saving over $2 per fruit, the process of growing an avocado tree indoors is easy as pie. One of the simple tricks is to keep a leftover pit and collect a few supplies that can be found in your house. It’s pretty simple and incredibly affordable. However, you have to be patient enough to eat the fruits of your labor as it can take 5 to 13 years for avocado trees to start bearing fruits. Also bear in mind that avocados rarely produce fruit indoors. Now you know the alternative to buying avocados in grocery stores, which can break your budget.
You’ll Need
1 Avocado seed
4 Toothpicks
1 jar 10-inch pot
Potting soil
A trowel
Next!
After eating your avocado, wash the pit without breaking it. Make sure it’s free from any residue then let it dry. Then press 3 to 4 toothpicks around the pit. Suspend the pit with its wide end down in a jar. Then fill the container with plenty of water to immerse the bottom third of the avocado seed. Put the jar in a warm spot, but not in direct sunlight. Replenish the water as needed, your avocado pit should start to sprout roots in about 2-6 weeks. If not, start over with another seed. When the sprout reaches about 6 to 7 inches tall, cut it back by half to promote more root growth. Once the sprout grows out thicker, plant the pit in a 10-inch soil pot to encourage growth on your avocado tree. Tip: If you want to skip this process and get a bigger tree right away, you can buy 4-feet tall avocado trees from Amazon.
How to Care for Your Avocado Tree
Place the pot in a warm area and water it frequently. Per California Avocados, your goal is to keep the soil moist but not overly wet. During summer, you can place the tree outdoors as long as the temperature is above 45°F (7°C). Occasionally cut your avocado plant (every 6 inches) to encourage a bushier appearance. You can also grow avocado plants outside of USDA Zones 10-12. They grow best in well-drained soil with direct sunlight. Water your plant 2-3 times per week by soaking the soil completely.