How To Grow An Avocado Tree From Seed - [ Step By Step Guide ]

Growing an avocado from a pit starts with sprouting. The only skill you need to coax that hard avocado seed (aka the pit) to crack is patience — because it usually takes six to eight weeks to get a sprout. 

Some sources say it takes two to six weeks to go from avocado seed to small avocado seedling, but in most regions, it’s a long haul. Embrace the process with that mindset, and you won’t give up too soon,

The best part of growing your own avocado tree from a pit is that you probably already have everything you need to get started. Follow these simple steps to sprout an avocado seed....

How To Get An Avocado Seed By Propagate

The chances that your tree will produce avocados one day are quite small. Planting an avocado seed and growing a plant is more about the fun of watching what happens and gaining a new tropical houseplant.

 If you want to raise avocados at home, your best bet is to purchase a tree from a reputable nursery.

Prepare The Seed

You will need one ripe avocado fruit, paper towel, and a plastic 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.

Place in a plastic food bag (do not zip shut) and store in a dark cupboard at room temperature (around 70°F / 21°C).

Types Of Avocado Tree

Hass: One of the most popular avocado varieties, the Hass avocado is often found in grocery stores. This is a type A tree that produces thick, bumpy-skinned, rich, and creamy fruits. It is more sensitive to heat than other varieties. Hass avocado trees are known to produce a reasonably sized yield when grown on their own.  

Fuerte: Also a widely known avocado type, the Fuerte avocado is a type B tree often grown with Hass avocados. These trees produce large, oval-shaped fruits with relatively smooth, thin skin. These trees are also more sensitive to heat, making them a good fit for the northern borders of the avocado's growing zones. 

Pinkerton: This type A, Guatemalan tree is popular for its smaller size and large fruit yield. It produces oblong fruits with flesh similar to the Hass avocado—rich and creamy. These trees require a type B avocado tree to produce a significant fruit yield.

Watch For Growth

Check on your seed every 4 days or so.  Put a reminder on your phone calendar so 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.

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.

How to Plant an Avocado Tree

It is best to plant avocado trees outdoors in the spring, allowing ample time to become established before winter temperatures arrive. 

Plant your avocado tree in a location with plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. If soil conditions are less than ideal, amend the soil with sand or another well-draining substrate before planting.

The trees are vulnerable to high winds, so immature trees may benefit from support. Choosing a planting location that offers wind protection will help keep your tree upright and healthy. It should be at least 10 feet away from structures.

The avocado tree's root system is sensitive, so try not to disturb the roots during planting. Dig a hole that is wider than the root structure and the same height as the root ball.

Soil

Avocado trees prefer rich, loamy, and well-draining soil. A soil pH that is acidic to neutral, between 5 and 7, is ideal; it's sensitive to alkaline soil. 

Adding a layer of mulch around the tree can help the soil retain the right amount of moisture and will offer protection to the avocado tree's shallow root system. Don't mulch any closer than 6 inches from the trunk.

Water

Avocado trees benefit from infrequent, deep watering. This encourages deeper, stronger root growth. Wait until the soil begins to dry out, then water deeply. During the summer months, the avocado tree will require more frequent watering.

Young trees also require more frequent watering as they become established. Mature trees should receive around 2 inches of water per week.  

Temperature and Humidity

These famous fruit trees can only be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, limiting an avocado tree to climates that are tropical and subtropical, unless you decide to grow an avocado tree indoors.

They are frost-sensitive and grow best in temperatures between 50°F and 85°F. Though prolonged temperatures around 30°F will be too cold for avocado trees, they should be able to withstand an occasional, very brief freeze.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing an avocado tree starting in the late winter to early spring and feed until the fall, depending on the specific instructions included with your chosen fertilizer. Fertilizers specifically designed for avocado or citrus trees work well.  

Pruning

If avocado trees are grown from seed, start pruning when the seedling is only 6 inches tall, snipping off the top pair of the leaves. When it reaches a foot in height, trim it back 6 inches. After this, prune the tree yearly. 

Pollination

For optimum pollination, it is ideal to have two avocado trees. (An avocado tree's flowers have male and female parts, but they open at separate times, so self-pollination is unlikely.)

Avocado trees are considered either type A or type B, and each type opens its flowers parts at different times of day. These different times make cross-pollination between the two types possible. When choosing which trees to plant, be sure you have both type A and type B for the best results.  

Caring for An Avocado Tree With Pests or Diseases

Common pests that may bother an avocado tree include mites, caterpillars, borers, lace bugs, and thrips. Diseases include root rot, fruit rot, sun blotch, and cankers. Be alert to the presence of these pests or early signs of disease. Prompt action is the best way to remedy any developing problems before they threaten the health

Harvesting Avocados

On a healthy outdoor avocado tree, you could harvest upwards of 200 avocados per season. For nursery-bought trees, you can expect to see fruit in three to four years. For avocados started from seed, it may take five to 13 years before fruits appear. 

When fruits appear, wait until the avocado grows to its mature size. The fruits do not ripen on the tree, so avocados are picked as soon as they are full size. Bring the avocados indoors and let them rest on a counter until ripe.

Conclusion

Avocados need a good watering, but do not like being watered small amounts daily. It is best to thoroughly soak the soil and then only water it again when it is beginning to dry. I've stuck to watering them every other day (or less). Watch your tree plant  carefully!

Hopefully you will soon have a pretty, low-maintenance plant to decorate your home/garden GOOD LUCK !!!!