Growing an avocado tree from a pit is a fun activity for kids and adults. But what do you do with the little tree once it sprouts and fills up the jar with roots? If you’re like many indoor avocado tree growers, you may let the plant languish in the water without a clue as to what to do next.
The good news is that it’s easy to transplant an avocado tree into soil where it will grow into an attractive indoor tree you can enjoy for years to come. And in most cases, the plant will thrive even if it’s been sitting in water for months. Here’s how to transplant your avocado tree.
Choose a container. Select a pot with drainage holes that is twice the size of the avocado tree’s root ball. Avoid planting in a container that is too large, as that will quickly lead to root rot and plant death. Glazed ceramic and plastic containers are good choices. Terracotta is porous and dries out too quickly.
Prepare potting soil. Use a well-draining, rich, organic potting soil. Add water to the soil so that it is moist, but not soggy. You should be able to make a ball out of the soil that crumbles easily.
Add nutrients. Mix into the potting soil ¼-cup worm castings and a starter fertilizer, such as a 2-3-2, according to package directions.
Plant. Fill the pot ½ to 2/3 of the way with potting soil. Nestle the avocado tree roots into the soil, fanning them out. Continue filling the pot until the soil just covers the root ball and pit. Gently firm the soil. Leave ¼ inch between the top of the soil and the rim of the container. This prevents soil from overflowing out of the pot when you water.
Water well. Soak the pot with lukewarm water. Don’t water again until the top inch of soil has dried out. It may be a week or more before the plant requires watering.
Locate in bright light. Grow the plant in a sunny window in an eastern or southern exposure. If you don’t have sufficient light for the tree, place the plant under full-spectrum lighting, which can be found for all types of light fixtures.
To see how this repotting procedure is done, check out this video on how to plant an avocado tree grown from a pit.
Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of seven books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com.
