DIY: plant an avocado tree

We love avocados! They’re rich and creamy, full of vitamins and healthy fats, and it’s said they make your skin glow. You can add avocados in your salad and smoothie, use it for a creamy guacamole, and you can even make a natural hair mask of avocado. Most of us throw the avocado pit away, but it’s also very fun to turn your pit into a stunning avocado tree. All you need is a glass, toothpicks, an avocado pit and (lots of) patience! Here’s how to start:

1. Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Rinse well and dry. Also make sure all flesh is removed from the seed.

2. Push four toothpicks into the pit at its widest (thickets) part. Now you can balance the pit over a glass of water with the pointy end pointing upwards. The water should cover about an inch of the seed.

3. Place the glass in a warm place and make sure to maintain the water level. It’s also good to change the water every other day.

4. In the first weeks hardly something will happen, but after appr. 2 to 6 weeks you’ll notice a small tip form the, now partially split, pit. Keep in mind that this sometimes takes 2 months, so don’t give up to soon!

5. After a few days roots and a stem will sprout from the seed. Once the roots are about 5-10 cm long, transfer the pit into a pot with soil. The pot has to have a diameter of about 15 cm, as avocados love and need space. Also make sure it’s soil that retains moisture. Plant the seedling root down, leaving the top half of the pit sticking out of the soil.

6. Give your plant frequent, light watering and keep it in a sunny place to encourage growth. After about 3 months you’ll see it really starts to grow.

7. As soon as the tree grows and the trunk becomes thicker, you can transfer it to solid ground. Water regularly, but don’t over-water (you’ll know you’re watering too much if your plant’s leaves turn yellow).

8. During wintertime make sure it’s well protected from the cold. They can’t withstand frost.

9. From this moment it will take a while, but after about 5 years of good care, more and more fruit will grow and after 7 years, with a bit of luck, you might eat your first own avocado.