Want to know how to grow an avocado tree? To get started you'll need an avocado pit, water, sunshine, and time. Keep reading for my homesteading tips.
How To Grow An Avocado Tree | Homesteading Tips
You are saving those avocado pits, right? If not, you really should start. Why? Well, because you could grow your very own avocado tree from it! It's a bit more involved than just placing it in the ground though. Follow along for the how to.
Follow these steps to grow a tall, healthy, fruit-producing avocado tree:
Step 1. Choosing an avocado pit
Pick a pit that is as young as possible.
Old avocado = lame, unhealthy tree.
Young avocado = fast-growing, healthy tree!
Step 2: Prepare The Pit
Now we have to peel the thin brown skin off of it. This is, in my opinion, essential because if the skin is left on the avocado pit, it will harden and make sprouting extra hard. However, to do this, we must drop the avocado pit (with the skin) in a glass of water (room temperature), for half an hour. Once soaked and the brown skin is soft, peel it off—sort of like peeling an orange. Once done, the pit should look white.
Step 3: Sprout Your Pit
Next, you'll have to poke two toothpicks about half an inch into the pit, as shown.
Use the toothpicks to hold the pit from falling into the glass.
Now you wait. You may notice the pit start to crack in about a week. In another week a root will start appear. By the third week you should see a sprout.
Change the water every week or so. To do this, pour out half of the old water from the glass and fill it up with de-chlorinated water. (Tap water left out for 24+ hours).
Step 4: Growing The Avocado Tree
Allow the stem to grow. It will grow up to 7 inches in the first few months. If it starts to show too many leaves, trim it in half. This will help the tree stay stable and not fall over because of its many leaves. If the leaves are sparce, just leave it as is.
Step 5: Allow Tree To Grow
Once your tree is tall enough, detach the toothpicks from the pit and plant the tree indoors in soft, not sandy, soil.
Water often so that the soil stays moist always. Make sure your tree receives a minimum of 2 hours of sunlight.
And that's all folks! Care for your tree and you'll have avocados growing at home in a couple of years! 🙂 Yes, I know, that's a long time. But it will all be worth it because avocados are just about the best food ever.
Want to see the entire process yourself? Then check out this video from Mr Eastcoastman:
So will you try to grow an avocado in your home? Let us know below in the comments!
Shirley K says
Thanks you video is very informative. I have a avocado tree I started last February, it now is 6 inches tall.
Do you recommend pinching it back?
Salahuddin Ahmed says
I have a fruit bearing Fuhu persimmon tree. How can I grow plants from the cuttings from this plant.