Not Your Mothers Way of Growing a Avocado Plant (No Toothpicks Required)

A modern method for growing avocado plants without the need for toothpicks

9/1/20244 min read

This is my method, its super easy and so far has been failproof. Best part is that you can make some avocado toast and it doesn't require any toothpicks. Growing an avocado plant starts with the obvious critical step of choosing the right avocado from the grocery store. To make sure you pick the best one, look for an avocado that is ripe. You can check the ripeness by gently pressing the avocado; it should yield slightly under pressure without being mushy. An under-ripe avocado will be too firm, while an over-ripe one may have started to deteriorate, affecting the quality of the pit not to mention could lead to a moldy mess.

Once you've selected the perfect avocado, the next step involves carefully removing the pit. To do this, cut the avocado lengthwise around the central pit using a sharp knife, then twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them. To remove the pit, you can use a spoon to gently lift it out from the center or carefully embed the knife into the pit and twist it out. It's important to avoid damaging the pit during this process, as any damage could impact its ability to sprout.

After successfully removing it, rinse it under lukewarm water, using your fingers to rub off the avocado remnants without using excessive force. Next step is one of the most important steps to avoid ending up like my mother with yet another moldy avocado pit on the counter... You'll need to remove the thin, brown skin surrounding the pit. This skin can be peeled off with your finger nail by gently pressing in with your nail, ensuring not to harm or puncture the pit itself. Once you have the pit completely stripped it should look like a yellowish cream color.

Germinating an avocado pit is an integral first step in cultivating your avocado plant. The toothpick-and-water method is notably my least favorite (its had the least success). In this method you're going to need a napkin or paper towel, and a Ziploc bag. Dampen the paper towel just slightly so it doesn't drip. Too much moisture could mess things up. Next wrap the avocado pit loosely in the damp paper towel and place it in the Ziploc. Place it in a dark, warm place where it wont be bothered and forget about it for 2-6 weeks.

The germination period can range from 2 to 8 weeks but if the temperature is too cold your pit will have difficulty sprouting but may just sprout at a slower rate. During this time you'll see signs indicating successful growth. Initially, the pit may develop a crack along the side. Shortly thereafter, a white taproot will emerge from the bottom, indicating that the pit is absorbing moisture and ready for the next step.

Grab your Mason jar or my new favorite: glass avocado jars (literally made for this). Make sure the jar is clean and ready for its new resident. Next you're going to fill the bottle (or jar) with water and place the pit on top with the roots inside the opening of the bottle. You are going to want the root to just be barely reaching the water.

By this point most of the work is done. You should see the root system growing larger as well as a small shoot will begin to develop from the top of the pit. From here on be sure to replace the water every 3-4 days to prevent mold or bacteria buildup. Maintain a consistent water level to ensure the roots remain submerged. The environmental conditions also play a crucial role: keep the bottle or jar in a warm area that receives indirect sunlight. Temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) are most suitable to encourage further growth.

Once the shoot reaches a height of six inches, with a few leaves starting to develop, your avocado plant is ready for the next stage.

Once your avocado seed has sprouted a few leaves and reached at least 6 inches you have the option to do one of two things: You can either transplant it into a pot or my absolute favorite: leave it indefinitely in hydroculture mode. There’s no need to plant it in soil, unless you want to. If you go this route you'll need to regularly change the water (don't get lazy and just top it off) as the plant needs the water to be oxygenated to thrive as well. You'll also want to purchase a gentle organic liquid fertilizer. Be careful not to overdo it on the fertilizer and stay away from chemical fertilizers as it can burn the roots. As long as you can maintain these 2 things you can grow your avocado plant in water for as long as you'd like!

If the hydroculture/hydroponic route isn't for you, then its time to pick a pot! You'll want to choose a pot that is at least 10-12 inches in diameter with drainage holes at the bottom, like this one! This will ensure your avocado seedling has ample room to grow and that excess water can escape, preventing the dreaded root rot. Always make sure to select a well-draining soil mix, ideally one that is rich in organic matter. Look for a mix that is designed for cactus or citrus plants. This is the one I use for plants. Fill the pot halfway with soil, place the pit with the roots pointing downward, and gently cover it with more soil, leaving the top half of the seed exposed. This positioning ensures the roots can expand without obstruction while allowing the seed to remain partly visible.

Water the newly potted seedling thoroughly until water drains out of the bottom holes. Thereafter, water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure that the soil is kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avocado plants also require ample sunlight to thrive. Place your pot in a sunny spot where it can receive at least six hours of sunlight daily. If indoor sunlight is insufficient, you may consider using a grow light to supplement natural light.

Growing an avocado plant from a grocery store avocado definitively requires some patience, but in the long run is so rewarding to watch it grow over the years.