Avocados are not just delicious and nutritious; they’re also a rewarding plant to grow at home. While many believe avocado trees need large outdoor spaces, you can successfully grow and even get fruit from an avocado tree indoors with the right care and technique.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best method to grow an avocado tree indoors, from selecting the right variety to harvesting your first homegrown avocados.
Why Grow an Avocado Tree Indoors?
Growing an avocado tree indoors offers several benefits:
- Fresh, homegrown avocados – No more waiting for ripe ones at the grocery store!
- A beautiful houseplant – Avocado trees have lush green leaves that add natural beauty to any space.
- Eco-friendly gardening – Reduce food waste by sprouting and reusing avocado seeds.
- A fun, rewarding experience – Growing a fruiting tree from a seed is an exciting challenge!
That said, growing an avocado tree indoors requires patience, the right environment, and proper care. Now, let’s go step by step on how to make your indoor avocado tree thrive.
Step 1: Choose the Right Avocado Variety
Not all avocado trees are suitable for indoor growing. Standard avocado trees can grow over 30 feet tall, which is impractical for most homes. Instead, choose a dwarf variety, such as:
- ‘Wurtz’ (Little Cado) – The best choice for indoor cultivation, reaching about 8-10 feet.
- ‘Holiday’ – A compact variety that stays under 12 feet and produces fruit in 5-7 years.
- ‘Brogden’ – A cold-tolerant option with dark-skinned fruit.
Dwarf varieties are more manageable in pots and produce fruit faster than full-sized trees.
Step 2: Start with a Healthy Avocado Seed
If you prefer to start from seed instead of buying a young tree, follow these steps:
1️⃣ Remove the Seed Carefully – Take the pit from a ripe avocado and wash off any remaining fruit.
2️⃣ Insert Toothpicks – Stick three or four toothpicks into the seed, positioning them about halfway up.
3️⃣ Suspend in Water – Place the seed half-submerged in a glass of water, with the pointed end up and the flat end down.
4️⃣ Find a Warm Spot – Put the glass in a sunny window and replace the water every few days.
5️⃣ Wait for Sprouting – In 2-6 weeks, roots should emerge from the bottom, and a shoot will grow from the top.
If you want faster results, you can buy a grafted dwarf avocado tree from a nursery instead of starting from a seed.
Step 3: Transplant the Seedling into a Pot
Once your avocado seed has a strong root system (roots should be at least 3 inches long), it’s time to plant it in soil.
- Choose a well-draining pot – A 10-12 inch pot with drainage holes is ideal.
- Use the right soil – A light, sandy potting mix works best. Avoid dense or clay-heavy soil.
- Plant the seed – Bury the bottom half of the seed in the soil, leaving the top half exposed.
- Water thoroughly – Keep the soil moist but not soggy to encourage strong root growth.
As your tree grows, you’ll need to repot it into a larger container every 1-2 years to allow for expansion.
Step 4: Provide the Best Growing Conditions
Indoor avocado trees need warmth, light, and humidity to thrive. Follow these essential care tips:
- Light – Place your tree in a bright, sunny location. A south-facing window with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day is ideal. If natural light is insufficient, use a grow light.
- Temperature – Avocado trees prefer 65-85°F (18-29°C). Keep them away from cold drafts.
- Humidity – If your home is dry, mist the leaves occasionally or use a humidifier to keep moisture levels up.
- Rotation – Turn the pot every few weeks to encourage even growth.
Step 5: Water and Feed Your Avocado Tree
Avocados like consistent moisture, but they don’t tolerate overwatering. Here’s how to care for them properly:
- Watering: Water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry. Make sure excess water can drain out to prevent root rot.
- Fertilizing: Feed your tree every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer or one high in nitrogen. Organic options like compost tea or fish emulsion also work well.
During winter, reduce watering and feeding since the tree will enter a dormant period.
Step 6: Prune and Train Your Tree
To encourage a bushy, healthy shape, regular pruning is essential:
- Pinch the tips – Once your tree reaches 12 inches tall, trim the top few leaves to encourage branching.
- Remove weak growth – Cut off any leggy or weak stems to promote stronger growth.
- Train with stakes – If the trunk is weak, use a stake for support.
Pruning also helps control the size of your tree and encourages more leaf production.
Step 7: Hand-Pollinate for Fruit Production
Avocado trees grown outdoors rely on bees for pollination, but indoor trees may need help. Since avocados have A-type and B-type flowers that open at different times, hand pollination improves the chances of fruiting.
- Use a soft brush – Gently transfer pollen between flowers with a small paintbrush or cotton swab.
- Pollinate at the right time – Flowers open as female in the morning and as male in the afternoon, so pollinate twice a day if possible.
- Consider multiple trees – Having two avocado trees (A-type and B-type) increases pollination success.
Even with hand-pollination, avocados may take 3-7 years to bear fruit, so patience is key!
Step 8: Harvesting Your Avocados
If all goes well, your tree will eventually start producing avocados. Unlike other fruits, avocados do not ripen on the tree—they soften only after being picked.
- Test readiness – Pick one avocado and leave it at room temperature. If it softens in 7-10 days, the others are ready to harvest.
- Use clippers to cut fruit – Avoid pulling avocados off the tree.
- Store properly – Keep unripe avocados on the counter. Once ripe, store in the fridge to extend freshness.
Final Thoughts: Is Growing an Indoor Avocado Tree Worth It?
Growing an avocado tree indoors requires patience, dedication, and the right conditions. While it takes time to bear fruit, the process is rewarding—especially if you love gardening and want to bring a piece of the tropics into your home.
Would you try growing an avocado tree indoors? Let us know in the comments! 🌱💬