How to Grow an Avocado Tree from the Top of the Seed

Growing an avocado tree from the seed inside the fruit is an enjoyable gardening project. With a few simple supplies and a bit of patience you can grow an avocado houseplant to enjoy for years to come. While the most common method is to balance the pit over water with toothpicks there’s an easier way to do it that focuses on the top of the seed.

Why Start from the Top of the Seed?

Avocados have a large central seed surrounded by the soft tasty flesh we eat. This seed is able to sprout and grow into a new tree. Many people enjoy the challenge of sprouting their grocery store avocado pits and nurturing the seedlings into attractive houseplants.

While trees grown from seeds take a long time to produce fruit (at least 10 years), they make lovely, fast-growing houseplants with glossy green leaves. Caring for them is a fun way to engage children in gardening. The satisfaction of growing a tree from a seed you would have otherwise thrown away is hard to beat!

Focusing your efforts on the top of the avocado seed makes the process easier and more reliable. With just a few household supplies, you can make your avocado seeds sprout from the top.

Choosing the Right Seed

The top of the avocado seed is pointed and tapered, while the bottom is broader and flat. To sprout it, you’ll need to orient it correctly so the roots emerge from the bottom of the pit.

Select a seed from a fresh, ripe avocado fruit. Avoid old, dried-out pits from guacamole prep, as they have a lower success rate. Gently remove the large brown pit from the ripe fruit, taking care not to cut or slice the seed coat.

Rinse off any clinging avocado flesh under warm water. Be careful not to damage the seed coat surrounding the pit. This seed coat helps protect the seed and aids in moisture absorption.

Inspect the seed and identify the top (pointy) and bottom (flat) ends. Knowing how to discern the top from the bottom will ensure you orient it correctly for sprouting.

Rooting the Seed from the Top

Now that you have a viable seed properly oriented, it’s time to encourage roots to emerge from the bottom of the pit. Here’s a simple method focused on the top of the avocado seed:

• Wrap the cleaned seed in a damp paper towel or tea towel. The goal is moist but not sopping wet.

• Place it in a plastic bag, leaving the bag unzipped or open. This creates a humid greenhouse environment.

• Store the bagged seed in a warm, dark place like a kitchen cupboard or drawer.

• Check on it every 3-4 days. Refold the towel if needed to keep it moist.

• Look for a crack forming on the top of the seed and a taproot emerging from the bottom end. This can take 2-8 weeks.

• Once the taproot grows to about 3 inches long, it’s ready to be planted.

This method avoids the hassle of toothpicks and suspended water glasses. It lets you sprout multiple seeds at once with minimal effort. The humid bag encourages healthy root growth focused on the top of the avocado pit.

Potting the Sprouted Seed

Now comes the fun part – planting your sprouted seed! Select a pot at least 6 inches wide with drainage holes. An 8-10 inch pot allows room for root development.

Partly fill the pot with a rich, well-draining potting mix suitable for houseplants. Gently place the sprouted seed in the soil with its taproot facing down. The top half of the seed should sit above the soil line.

Backfill soil around the seed, taking care not to break the tender emerging root. Water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes. Place in a warm spot with indirect sunlight.

Caring for Your Seedling

Caring for your new avocado houseplant is easy. Keep it in a bright location, but avoid direct hot sunlight which can scorch leaves. Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out, and mist frequently to boost humidity.

Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer. Repot in a larger container as needed when roots fill the pot. Prune back top-heavy growth to keep it bushy.

While it likely won’t produce edible avocados, you’ll enjoy watching your pit transform into an attractive, fast-growing houseplant. And you’ll gain the satisfaction of growing a new tree from a humble seed that normally gets tossed in the trash!

With a little luck and the right care focused on the top of the seed, you’ll be enjoying your homegrown avocado tree for years to come. It makes a great – and delicious – gardening project to try with kids.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Seed isn’t sprouting

Patience is key. It can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks for roots and sprouts to emerge. Make sure your seed coat is intact and the pit is kept moist. Discard and try again if mold develops.

Seedling is leggy and weak

Increase light exposure and pinch off top leaves to encourage bushy growth. Insufficient light causes seedlings to stretch and flop over.

Leaves turning brown

This is usually caused by inconsistent watering. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Provide moderate humidity via misting.

White crusty deposits on leaves

Scale insects are common on avocado trees. Wipe leaves with a diluted neem oil solution to suffocate these tiny sap-sucking pests.

Sprouting an avocado pit is an enjoyable gardening project for green thumbs of all ages. Focus your efforts on the top of the seed, looking for a crack and emerging taproot. With proper care, your pit will transform into a handsome avocado houseplant. Though it likely won’t bear edible fruit, you’ll have the satisfaction of growing a tree from a seed destined for the trash.

Additional Tips

• Here are some additional tips for successfully sprouting and growing an avocado tree from the top of the seed:

• Choose a seed from a fresh, ripe avocado. Old, dried out pits are less likely to sprout.

• Keep the seed moist but not soaking wet during the sprouting period.

• Check your seed every 3-4 days and refresh the damp paper towel as needed.

• Once sprouted, give your young avocado plant plenty of bright indirect sunlight.

• Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry. Avocados like consistently moist soil.

• Repot in a larger container every year as the tree grows. Give it room for the roots to expand.

• Prune back leggy growth and pinch off top leaves to encourage bushiness.

• Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer.

• Mist the leaves frequently to provide extra humidity.

With patience and proper care focused on the top of the seed, an avocado pit can grow into an attractive houseplant to enjoy for years. Though it likely won’t bear fruit, growing it from a seed is an easy and fun gardening project.