Have you already germinated your avocado pit and the first roots are already showing? Then it's time to plant the seed in a pot with soil. But don't worry, you can also plant a non-germinated seed straight into the ground. With the help of these instructions, you can easily plant your seeds.
How do I plant an avocado seed?
To plant an avocado pit, you need loose, air-permeable soil, a plant pot and a spray bottle. Fill the pot with soil, place the core flat side down and cover two-thirds with soil. Spray the core regularly with water.
Use the right soil
First of all, you need the right soil. Avocado plants love loose, air-permeable soil, which, however, should not be too s alty. Most plants get along very well with conventional potting soil or palm soil (€6.00 on Amazon), but a 1:1 mixture of potting soil and sand or peat has also proven to be very effective. The avocado should be repotted at least every two years and the soil should be replaced.
How to plant the seed core
Take a plant pot that is not too small (preferably made of clay) and fill it with the prepared substrate about five centimeters below the edge. Now place the seed core there with the flattened (or root-forming) side and carefully pile up more soil around the core. The seed should still be about two-thirds sticking out of the soil. Gently press the substrate down and spray the core with water. Watering with a jug is not recommended because, on the one hand, the substrate can be washed away and, on the other hand, too much water gets to the core.
This is what you need to plant an avocado seed
- an avocado pit (with or without pre-sprouted roots)
- a pot that is not too small
- Planting soil (optimally potting soil/peat mixture or potting soil/sand mixture)
- a spray bottle
- stale, room temperature water
Why germinating in a water bath has no advantages
The often practiced pre-germination in a water bath has no advantages for avocado cultivation, quite the opposite. Experience has shown that seeds that germinate in the soil usually grow faster than pre-germinated ones - and seeds in a water bath tend to mold and therefore rot. One reason for this is, for example, being poked with a toothpick, which damages the core and allows germs to enter.
Alternative cultivation for balcony or garden owners
You can also make planting an avocado seed much easier if you have a balcony with geraniums or a garden with shrubs. Simply stick the core into the soil under the geraniums or under a bush and let things take their course. Due to the shady spot, the soil in these locations is always moist (especially since geraniums also need to be watered frequently) and is therefore ideal for avocado seeds. However, this method only promises success if it is warm enough - i.e. from May at the earliest to August at the latest, after all you also have to add the germination time. If the core has split and a plant has grown, you can dig it up in time before winter and plant it in a clay pot.
Tips & Tricks
To increase planting success, you can put a layer of foil over the pot with the seedling.
