Avocados are packed with nutrients like protein, vitamin C, E, K, B vitamins, folate, magnesium, potassium, copper, and powerful antioxidants. They not only look appealing but are also widely used in trendy dishes like avocado toast. The only downside? They’re expensive—often costing 70 to 150 rupees each. But the good news is that you can grow avocado plants at home, just like any other fruit or vegetable.

If you enjoy gardening, you can easily grow an avocado plant in a pot. With the right soil, sunlight, and watering routine, your plant can even bear fruit. Here’s a simple method to grow and care for avocado plants at home.

How to start with avocado seeds
Choose a fresh, ripe avocado and cut it carefully to avoid damaging the seed inside. Remove the seed and rinse it under lukewarm water to remove any leftover fruit. Identify the sides: the slightly pointed end is the top, and the flatter end is the bottom.

Insert three to four toothpicks around the seed, about halfway up. These toothpicks help the seed rest on a glass of water. Fill a glass with water and place the seed over it, with the wider bottom end dipped in the water.

Make sure part of the seed remains underwater. Change the water every three to four days. Keep the glass in a warm, bright spot, but avoid harsh direct sunlight. In two to six weeks, you’ll see roots emerging from the bottom and a stem sprouting from the top.

Potting the sprouted seed
When the stem reaches around 6 inches, cut it back to 3 inches to encourage bushier growth. After this, it’s time to plant it in soil.

Choose a pot at least 10 inches wide with drainage holes. Prepare a soil mix using:
40 percent garden soil
30 percent sand or perlite
20 percent compost or well-rotted manure
10 percent cocopeat or dried leaf compost

Place the seed gently into the soil, leaving the top half exposed. Water it thoroughly and keep the pot in a sunny area where the plant gets good light.

Caring for your avocado plant
Water the plant regularly but avoid overwatering. Avocado roots rot quickly if the soil remains soggy. Keep the plant in partial sunlight; too much harsh sun can burn the leaves. If kept indoors, place it near a sunny window.

Fertilize the plant every two to four weeks. As the plant grows, prune it occasionally to remove damaged or weak branches. This helps in shaping the plant and encouraging healthy growth.

When will it bear fruit?
Growing an avocado tree from a seed requires patience. Seed-grown avocado plants usually take 7 to 10 years to bear fruit. If you want faster results, you can buy a grafted avocado plant from a nursery. These start producing fruit much earlier, usually within 3 to 4 years.