Follow these six simple steps and turn an avocado seed into a plant – all you need is a few toothpicks and a glass of water.
Something to Sprout About
Remove the Seed
The first step is to carefully remove the seed from a fresh, ripe avocado (avoid using a knife, as you don’t want to accidentally damage it). Gently wash it clean under warm running water, using a soft brush or cloth to ensure all the flesh is removed. Be careful not to rub away the brown skin, as that is the seed cover.
Locate the ends
Some avocado seeds are teardrop-shaped, while others are round – but they all have a ‘bottom’ (where the roots will grow), and a ‘top’ (where the sprout will grow). The slightly pointier end is the top, and the flat end is the bottom. You will need to place the bottom end in water, so it’s important to figure out which end is which.
Pierce with toothpicks
Take three toothpicks and push them into the avocado seed, spacing them evenly around the circumference. These will be used to suspend your seed in water, so ensure they are wedged in firmly. It is a good idea to push them in at a slight angle (pointing down), so more of the base rests in the water when you set it over a glass.
Suspend in water
With the pointy end facing upwards, use the toothpicks to rest the seed over a clear glass. Fill the glass with water so that the seed is submerged to about halfway up. Place the glass on a windowsill, or somewhere quiet with plenty of sunlight. Change the water every few days to prevent bacteria and fungal growth.
Wait for roots to grow
After about eight weeks, the seed should germinate. The seed will dry out and form a crack, starting at the top and working down to the bottom, and eventually a taproot will emerge. Do not break the seed apart, as the seed body feeds the root growth. The roots are delicate, so handle with care and ensure they don’t dry out.
Pot in soil
Eventually a sprout will emerge from the top of the seed. When the stem is about 15cm long, cut it back to about 8cm to encourage new growth. When it hits 15cm again, gently remove the toothpicks and plant the seed in a 25cm pot. Keep it in the sun and water regularly so the soil is always moist, but not saturated.
Smart Tip:
Young avocado plants can survive outdoors in summer, but bring them back inside once it starts to get cold.
