Growing Avocado at Home from Seed

• Avocado can be grown at home, but not outdoors in cold climates.
• For planting the seed, you will need toothpicks and a glass of water.
• Water should be added when the root is fully visible.

Growing avocado from seed is a simple and interesting activity, especially for children. These plants are tropical, so they do not tolerate cold winters outdoors. However, avocados can be grown at home, and while they may not yield fruit, they can become beautiful houseplants.

To grow your own avocado plant, follow these steps:

1. Retain the seed of the avocado, then stick it vertically with the pointed end up.
2. Place four toothpicks into the avocado seed so that it can be suspended in a glass of water. Fill the glass with water to the level of the toothpicks, leaving the lower part of the seed submerged. Position the glass in a bright or partially sunny location.
3. Change the water every few days. After a couple of weeks, you will see roots starting to appear from the seed, and a sprout that will emerge from the top.
4. When the sprout reaches a few centimeters and leaves appear, remove the toothpicks and plant the seed in a pot with good soil, leaving the top part of the seed exposed.

For monitoring the plant, place it near a sunny window, providing bright light but not direct sunlight. Only water the plant when the soil is completely dry, but do not allow it to stay dry for too long.

If you want to grow avocados outdoors, remember that the seed will not produce identical plants or fruits. Most avocados are grown from grafting or cuttings. If you still want to grow a tree from seed, start it at home, and then gradually move it outdoors.

Choose a location that receives full or partial sun and is protected from wind. The soil should be well-drained with a pH of between 5.0 and 7.0.