While avocados grow easily from seed, don’t expect any fruit for 7-15 years.
Even if you don’t get fruit, an avocado tree makes a pretty pot plant for a sunny patio and growing one from seed is a great project for kids.
Remove the seed, called a pit, from an avocado without cutting it and wash it thoroughly to get rid of the flesh, taking care not to remove the brown skin or seed cover, then put it in water to form roots and a shoot.
When the stem reaches 150mm high, transplant it into a 150mm pot, leaving the top half of the pit exposed. Water regularly, but don’t overwater.
GROW TIP Pinch out the top two sets of leaves so side shoots will grow and form a bushy plant.
Prepare the pit
Step 1. Space with toothpicks
3-4 toothpicks at a slight angle evenly around the circumference of the pit. Put in a glass of water, flat-end down. Position the glass on a sunny windowsill and change the water every 4-5 days to keep it clean.
Step 2. Let the roots grow
Make sure the water always covers the base of the pit. The top of the pit will dry out and form a crack that will extend to the base. Roots will then grow from the base and new shoots emerge from the top after 3-4 weeks.
