Yes, you can grow a tall avocado tree at home using just the pit from a store-bought fruit.
This guide documents how I grew an avocado tree from a store-bought pit, starting with water rooting, watching the seed split and roots appear, transplanting it into soil, and growing it into a 130 cm indoor potted tree.
I started this avocado from a simple market avocado seed and watched it go from a single pit in water to a 130 cm tall indoor tree in a pot. In this post, I’ll walk you through each step — from rooting in water to potting and basic care.
Quick Summary:
- I started with a pit from a regular store-bought avocado.
- The pit was washed carefully and placed in water with the wider end submerged.
- After several weeks, the seed split open and roots began to grow downward.
- Once roots and a shoot developed, the avocado was grown in a clear cup of water.
- When the roots were strong, I transplanted the seed into a pot with well-draining soil.
- The plant first reached about 40 cm, then eventually grew into a 130 cm indoor avocado tree.
- Bright light, consistent watering, and good drainage were the key factors for healthy growth.
1. Starting With a Store-Bought Avocado Pit
After enjoying the avocado, I carefully removed the pit and washed off any remaining flesh.
- Gently rinsed the seed under running water
- Avoided damaging the brown outer skin
- Let it dry briefly before placing it in water
You don’t need any special variety for this — a regular store-bought avocado is enough to start.
2. Placing the Pit in Water
Next, I placed the avocado pit in water so the bottom stayed submerged.
- The bottom (wider end) of the pit should be in the water
- The top (pointed side) should stay above the water line
- I kept the container in a bright spot with indirect sunlight
Over time, the outer skin slowly softened and the pit began to change.
3. The Seed Splits and Roots Appear
After some weeks, the avocado pit started to crack open in the middle.
- A vertical split appeared along the seed
- A root slowly emerged from the bottom of the crack
- The root thickened and extended downward into the water
This is the most exciting stage — the moment you can see that the seed is truly alive.
4. Growing in a Cup of Water
Once the root grew longer and a small shoot appeared, I moved the seed into an iced cup and continued growing it hydroponically.
- The avocado pit was supported near the rim
- Roots grew freely in water below
- New leaves started forming at the top
At this stage, the plant already looks like a tiny indoor tree.
5. Transplanting to a Pot
When the roots were strong and the stem had leaves, I transplanted the avocado into soil.
- Used a pot with good drainage holes
- Planted the seed so the top part stayed slightly above the soil
- Watered thoroughly after planting
From this point on, the plant grew faster and started to behave more like a young tree than a seedling.
6. Growth Progress: From 40 cm to 130 cm
With enough light and water, the avocado continued to grow steadily.
- First, it reached around 40 cm, with a strong main stem
- Later, it grew to about 130 cm, forming two tall potted trees
At this height, they really look like indoor trees and can become a focal point in the room.
7. Light and Watering Requirements
Avocado trees love:
- Bright light: A sunny window or bright indoor spot is ideal
- Water thoroughly when the top soil dries
- Avocados like water, but the soil should still drain well
As long as the plant receives good light, you can successfully grow avocado indoors at home.
Conclusion
Growing an avocado tree from a simple store-bought pit is a slow but rewarding project. Starting in water, watching the seed split, then transplanting to soil and finally seeing it reach over a meter tall makes the process worth the wait.
If you have a sunny spot at home and a bit of patience, your next avocado from the market could become your own indoor avocado tree.
Visit Us at Greenfingers
Thanks for reading! All the plants you see in my posts are lovingly raised right here at Greenfingers. We specialize in healthy, vibrant tropical plants and want to share the joy of gardening with the world.
If you’re a plant lover traveling through South Korea, feel free to stop by and say hello!
- Farm Name: Greenfingers (그린핑거스)
- Location: 42-6, Munbak-gil, Nangseong-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, Republic of Korea (Postal Code: 28182)
- Follow us on Instagram: [@greenfingers.center]
"Growing happiness, one leaf at a time."
