Avocados are basically nature’s superfood. In their native tropical habitats, they grow on massive, towering trees, but did you know you can start your very own avocado tree right in your kitchen? It’s actually super easy and a fun project for any plant lover. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
Getting Prepared
To grow your own avocado, you first need a healthy pit (which is actually the seed). Grab a ripe avocado from the store and carefully slice it in half. Pop the pit out, making sure not to nick it with your knife. You can use the green fruit for something delicious like guacamole, but for now, focus on the seed. Wipe it down with a paper towel to get the big chunks off, then rinse it under cool running water until all the slippery residue is gone.
Sprouting in Soil
- Fill a small pot (about 4 to 6 inches) with fresh potting soil or a seed-starting mix.
- Press the soil down slightly, then place the pit into the dirt with the pointed end facing up. Give it a good drink of water.
- Make sure about two-thirds of the pit is still poking out above the soil line.
- Find a warm, bright spot for your pot. Avocados love light, and warmth is the secret ingredient for successful germination.
- To keep the humidity high and prevent the soil from drying out, you can loosely cover the pot with plastic wrap.
- Keep the soil moist but never soggy over the next few weeks. Once you see those first little leaves (cotyledons) appearing, go ahead and remove the plastic.
The Water Method
If you want to watch the roots grow in real-time, try the water method! You’ll need a glass or jar that’s just a bit wider than your pit.
To keep the seed from sinking, you’ll need to make a little “support system” using toothpicks. Gently poke 3 or 4 toothpicks into the middle of the pit (around its “equator”).
Fill your glass with water and balance the pit on the rim using the toothpicks. The bottom (the flatter end) should just barely touch the water—if it’s submerged too deep, it might rot.
Keep an eye on the water level and top it off as needed. It’s a good idea to change the water every three to five days to keep it fresh and prevent bacteria buildup.
Pro tip: If you have a hyacinth bulb vase, those are perfect for this! The hourglass shape holds the pit perfectly without needing toothpicks.
You can also get creative—an old wire cage from a champagne cork can act as a little metal “throne” for your seed inside a glass of water.
When to Start
The best time to start your avocado journey is late winter. It usually takes about 4 to 8 weeks for the pit to germinate .
If you start your pit in February, you’ll likely see sprouts by late March. This timing is perfect because the spring sun is getting stronger, giving your new plant plenty of light to grow big and strong.
Authentic Mexican Guacamole
While you wait for your tree to grow, enjoy the fruit! Here’s my favorite recipe:
- 1.5 oz fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 3.5 oz white onion, finely chopped or grated
- 1 small chili pepper, minced
- 1 small garlic clove, crushed
- 3 ripe avocados, mashed with a fork
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 7 oz tomatoes, finely diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix it all together and dive in! If you’re one of those people who thinks cilantro tastes like soap, feel free to leave it out.
Quick Tip: Don’t be in too much of a hurry to move your water-grown avocado to a pot. Wait until it has a sturdy root system and at least two sets of real leaves before transitioning it to soil.
