Pit Happens: A Beginner’s Guide to Planting Avocados at Home

If you’ve ever cracked open a ripe avocado, scooped out its creamy goodness, and stared at that big glossy pit thinking, “Surely I can grow something from this?”—you’re absolutely right. You can!

Growing your own avocado tree at home is surprisingly simple, incredibly satisfying, and a brilliant project for plant newbies and avocado lovers alike—no matter where in the world you call home.

So grab a pit, your favourite mug of something warm, and let’s get growing.

Step 1: Get to Know Your Pit

After enjoying your avocado, carefully remove the seed (aka the pit) and rinse off any remaining flesh. Be gentle—keep the brown outer skin intact. That’s the seed coat and it protects your little green miracle in the making.

Choose Wisely: Hass and Fuerte are great varieties to try, often available at grocery stores and markets worldwide.

Step 2: Try the Classic Toothpick Method

This is the tried-and-true way beginners love to start:

1. Fill a glass or jar with water.
2. Insert three to four toothpicks around the pit at an angle to suspend it over the water—pointy side up, rounder side down.
3. Ensure the bottom sits in the water about an inch deep.

Place it somewhere warm and sunny (like a bright windowsill), and change the water every few days to prevent mould.

Patience Required: It can take 2 to 6 weeks (sometimes more) for roots and a shoot to appear. Be patient—it’s worth the wait!

Step 3: Time to Pot Up

Once you’ve got a nice little root system and a stem about 15–20cm (6–8 inches) tall with leaves, it’s time to plant!

What You’ll Need:

A small pot (20–25cm or 8–10 inches) with drainage holes
Well-draining potting mix (add sand or perlite if needed)
A warm, sunny spot (indoors or a sheltered outdoor space)

Plant the seed in the soil so the top half is exposed above the surface. Water well, then keep the soil lightly moist—but never soggy.

Step 4: Ongoing Care for Your Avocado Baby

Light: Avocados love sunshine. A bright indoor space or sheltered patio is ideal. If your climate is warm year-round, you can grow them outdoors permanently.
Water: Keep the soil evenly moist. Let the top inch dry out between waterings. Yellow leaves? You may be overwatering. Brown tips? Possibly too dry or too much direct sun.
Prune for Shape: Once it’s about 30cm (1 foot) tall, pinch back the top leaves to encourage a bushier plant.
Repot as it Grows: Upgrade the pot when it becomes root-bound. A healthy plant can grow quickly!

Will You Get Fruit?

This depends on a few factors:

Climate: Avocados are tropical/subtropical. They thrive outdoors in warm, frost-free areas (zones 9–11). If your winters are chilly, keep your plant indoors or in a greenhouse.
Pollination: Many avocado varieties need cross-pollination (i.e. another tree nearby). If you're growing just one tree indoors, fruiting is possible—but not guaranteed.
Time: It can take 3 to 10 years (yes, really) for a tree to mature enough to fruit—especially when grown from seed.

But even if your avocado never bears fruit, it makes a stunning houseplant with lush, glossy leaves and tropical vibes.

Growing an avocado at home is about more than just the dream of free guacamole. It’s about watching something flourish—from something most people throw away. It’s a little lesson in patience, care, and the magic of nature.

So whether you're in a city apartment, countryside cottage, or somewhere in between, give that seed a second life—and see where it takes you.