How to Grow an Avocado Tree From the Pit—No Matter Where You Live

If you're an avocado lover, you'll be happy to know that growing your own tree at home is possible. The subtropical plant thrives in warmer climates where it can grow up to 80 feet tall. In colder areas, avocado trees (Persea americana) are often raised as houseplants and don't grow past about 10 feet tall.

The care level for an avocado tree is minimal, but growing one is still a labor of love. Most trees don't produce fruit until they are about 5 years old, and indoor plants may never produce fruit. Although it requires a lot of patience, growing an avocado tree is something gardeners of all skill levels can accomplish—and you may even be rewarded with delicious fruit in the process. We talked with gardening experts for all the details.

How to Get an Avocado Seed to Sprout

The easiest and quickest way to grow an avocado tree is by purchasing an established one from a local nursery. But you can also grow and plant one from seed. The most common way to do this is by sprouting a seed in water. The seed should sprout in a few weeks using this technique, but if it doesn't do so in two to three months, you will need to start over with a new seed.

1. Remove the seed from the center of the avocado and rinse it with water.
2. Insert a few toothpicks into the sides of seed so they're about halfway up the pit.
3. Suspend the seed in a glass of water so that the bottom half (non-pointy end) of the avocado is touching the water.
4. Periodically add water to the glass to maintain the initial water level.

How to Plant an Avocado Seed

After a few weeks, a small root should form on the bottom of the seed. On the pointy end, look for signs of a small shoot, from which tiny leaves will eventually develop and grow. Later, when the main stem emerges, plant the seed in a container.

1. Remove the toothpicks from the avocado seed.
2. Fill a container halfway with potting mix.
3. Place the seed in the center of the pot so the pointy end is exposed.
4. Place the plant in a bright location.
5. Water well and keep the soil consistently moist.

Growing an Avocado Tree Outside

In regions that have a winter, you can move your indoor avocado tree outside when temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a climate that's warm year-round (zones 10 to 12), you can plant an avocado tree outside. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Find an area that gets about eight hours of direct sun per day and has well-draining soil.
2. Dig a hole in the soil that is as deep and slightly wider than the root ball.
3. Place the root ball in the hole.
4. Back fill the soil around the rootball, pressing the soil in as you go.
5. Water the ground generously.

How to Care for an Avocado Tree

In order to increase the chances that your avocado tree bears fruit, you must meet its soil, water, fertilization, and light requirements.

Light

Avocado trees enjoy a lot of sunlight and should receive at least four to six hours per day. If it's growing indoors, find a location with bright indirect light.

Soil

The plant prefers rich, loamy, well-draining soil. "It's important that the soil does not hold onto excess water and is aerated," says Carrie Spoonemore, co-creator of Park Seed's From Seed to Spoon app. If growing the tree outdoors, be sure to test your soil prior to planting. The ideal soil pH for an avocado tree is between 5 to 7.

Water

Avocado trees should be watered deeply and frequently. Make sure you give the soil a chance to dry out between waterings. "More frequent watering may be necessary in warmer summer months, and younger trees need more frequent watering," says Spoonemore.

Fertilizer

When growing an avocado tree indoors, fertilize it every three months with a standard houseplant fertilizer. Outdoors, avoid using fertilizer on avocado trees in the first year. After that, you should fertilize your avocado tree once a year in the spring with a nitrogen-rich, water-soluble fertilizer, says Em Shipman, executive director of KidsGardening.

Pruning

Avoid overly pruning your avocado tree. "The best time to prune is in the winter, and not after February," says Spoonemore. "Frequent pruning is not necessary. Dead branches can be removed any time."

Types of Avocado Trees

There are many varieties of avocados, but these are some of the most common.

Hass

Hass avocados are a hybrid of Mexican and Guatemalan varieties and are the type you typically find in grocery stores. "These trees are known to have a reasonably sized yield," says Spoonemore. "Hass is a type A tree—the avocados produced have thick and bumpy skin and a creamy inside."

Fuerte

Like Hass, Fuerte is a hybrid of Mexican and Guatemalan varieties. Despite their similarities, these avocado trees are more sensitive to heat. "The fruit produced have smooth, thin skin and contain less oil content than Hass," says Spoonemore.

Pinkerton

Pinkerton avocado trees are a Guatemalan variety that produce a smaller size fruit, but larger yield. "The avocados that come from this tree are similar to Hass—creamy and rich," says Spoonemore.

Bacon

The Bacon variety is preferred by some home growers because it's more cold-hardy than others, including Hass. Because they tolerate cooler temperatures, Bacon avocados are a good choice for growers in borderline growing zones.

Reed

If you have a smaller space or are considering growing an avocado tree in a container, the Reed is a good option. Reed avocados grow on compact, upright trees and produce large fruit with a creamy flavor.

Common Problems With Avocado Trees

Overwatering, too much sunlight, and mineral deficiencies are all common issues that can affect the health and appearance of your avocado plant.

Root Rot

Although avocado trees like water, the plant is prone to root rot. If the leaves turn yellow, you are overwatering, and should scale back your hydration schedule. Another way to avoid root rot is by using a well-draining potting mix. "Most store-bought mixes have a high amount of peat that holds water," Shipman says. Improve soil drainage by using amendments like perlite or large bark.

Burnt Leaves

Another important consideration is light: Avocado trees enjoy a lot of sunlight but can sometimes suffer from sunburn. Brown leaves indicate the tree is too hot and should be moved to a cooler, less sunny location.

Mineral Deficiency

Sometimes avocado trees can become deficient in certain types of minerals. Like overwatering, a fertilizing issue is commonly a symptom of yellow leaves. "It is important to fertilize on a regular schedule of about once a month to avoid this problem," says Spoonemore.

Pests

Common pests that plague avocado trees include mites, caterpillars, lace bugs, and thrips. "Taking prompt action is the best way to get rid of these pests before they get too out of control," says Spoonemore.