Avocado How Long to Grow an Avocado Plant?

Last Updated on February 22, 2023 by Derek

Avocados can be grown from seed
How long before you get fruit from an avocado tree?

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After planting an avocado plant it takes around 3 to 4 years to see the first fruit. If the plant is growing out from a seed it can take as long as 5 to 13 years before the tree starts giving fruits.

Key Takeaways:

  • Avocados can be grown from seed
  • It takes around 3 to 4 years to see the first fruit
  • From a seed, it can take as long as 5 to 13 years before the tree starts giving fruits
  • The process of growing avocado plants from seed is simple
  • Avocado plants grow fast
  • Commercially available trees are grafted from mature varieties of avocado for faster fruit production
  • Avocado trees require specific growing conditions and the best way to grow them is in sandy loam

1 year old avocado tree from seed

The process of growing avocado plants from seed is very simple if one can follow the right steps. To get started with the process seed needs to be placed in a glass of water or loose soil.

The avocado seed needs to be partially immersed in a glass of water at room temperature. To do this the toothpicks need to be inserted into the side of the seed around the equator. Avocados are endemic to Mexico.

Avocado
Common Name Botanical Name Soil pH Range Soil Type Sunshine Growing Zones
Avocado Persea americana 6.0 – 7.0 Well-draining, sandy loam Full sun 9-11

Californiaavocado.com

How long does it take to grow an avocado tree from seed?

When the root system reaches a length of 3 inches the plant can be transferred to a clay pot with drainage holes. The pot must be filled with sandy soil.

The top part of the avocado seedlings must be level with the soil surface. The surface of the soil need to be moist at all times for the healthy growth of the plant.

Avocado plants grow fast. People often discard them because they become excessively large indoor plants.

How often do you need to water your avocado plant?

How to make avocado tree bear fruit faster?

Avocado trees need to reach a specific age before they can bear fruits. Commercially available trees are grafted from mature varieties of avocado so that they can get fruits more quickly.

Usually, it is a lot faster than trees that grow out from seeds. People that grow the trees from an avocado pit will have to wait for at least 10 long years before getting the fruit.

Avocado grtowing in a glass of water
Growing avocado in water

On the other hand, trees that are available from a nursery or garden can start giving crops in 3 to 4 years. For the best yield, the cultivars produce either type A flower or type B flower.

Both these types are known for producing pollen at different times of the day. If both avocado varieties are growing in the same garden the overall yield will be a lot higher.

What is the best fertilizer for avocado trees?

Avocado trees require right conditions for growing and producing fruit. The best way to grow the trees is in sandy loam and although they will survive growing fruits only in a Sunny spot.

Conditions like flooding and poor drainage can also cause damage to the trees. Overwatering and water stagnation at the base of the tree must be avoided at all costs.

Fertilizing mature trees helps promote the growth of fruits. A young indoor avocado tree can require fertilizer 6 times every year.

Avocado trees growing in alkaline soil can suffer from a deficiency of iron. So it is recommended to use iron chelate soil between early and late summer months as per the seller’s direction.

University of California

How long does it take to grow an avocado seed in water?

When an avocado seed is kept immersed in water at all times. It is likely to develop sprout and roots within 8 weeks. In some more time, the seed is completely ready to be transferred to a clay pot for further growth. 

How often to water avocado plant?

In an avocado plant, the roots are present in the top six inches of soil. This layer of the soil tends to dry out fast.

Avocado plant showing roots under the soil
Avocado roots are shallow

Newly planted trees need enough water twice or thrice every week in the initial years. On the other hand, fully-grown trees need water as much as 2 inches of rainfall.

Avocado trees just as any other fruit tree require a lot of water to grow and produce fruit. Fully mature avocado trees need around 40 to 50 inches of rain every year.

Does avocado plant need a lot of water?

In the initial growing years, the tree needs more frequent watering for the growth of a strong root system. During the summertime young trees need several applications every week.

Normally avocado tree consumes 5 to 20 gallons of water at each irrigation. Adult trees can survive without supplemental water for between 7 and 30 days depending on the temperature and rainfall.

Avocado trees can suffer from excess or very little water. so it is difficult to determine if the tree needs more water or less. It is best to dig about 6 to 9 inches under the well-draining soil.

The root system of the avocado tree is shallow and mostly lies in the top half of the soil. Since the roots do not go deeper searching for water they are prone to die out.

USDA – Avocado water needs

Can an avocado tree survive indoors?

Fallen leaves of the tree can be left as mulch. The leaves are known for having a high concentration of oil and decompose gradually making the soil rich in nutrients.

Over-watering and under-watering can result in the root rot. If the tree is suffering from damaged roots there will be small canopies that turn yellow.

When watering house avocado trees it might need occasional soaking but the water must not be left to stand around the tree.

Take care of your avocado tree if you want it to bear fruit
How much water does an avocado plant need?

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How to grow an avocado tree that bears fruit?

Persea americana or Avocado is a tropical fruit that is mostly native to Mexico. Over the years its popularity has grown significantly and has turned it into a high-value cash crop.

Avocados are expensive but even growing a tree from seed will require a significant investment of time, money, and labor.

Avocado is a tropical fruit and thrives best in early summer with full sun. People living in and around southern California, Texas,south america, or Hawaii can grow healthy avocado trees. Late winter is not favorable for the tree so it is best not to try in such a climate.

How long does it take to grow an avocado tree that bears fruit?

Typically there are three common varieties of avocado fruit. Knowing the different varieties is necessary for growing trees in different conditions.

The best time to plant tropical plants like avocado trees is during the early spring. During this time one can be sure that the soil is warm and free from moisture.

The rule also applies when transplanting a potted avocado tree to the soil. People starting with avocado pit may have to wait as long as 10 years before the trees start bearing fruit.

Saplings grown from graft take around 4 years to give fruits. On the other hand, it takes about 10 to 15 years for a tree to mature and gives fruits.

Pollinating avocado trees is a lot difficult. It is the reason commercial trees are graft grown.

One can always choose to plant own avocado tree and experiment to have fun. If the conditions are favorable then there will at least be a house plant.

Avocados are easy to grow from seed
Grow avocado in water to start the seed off

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How to grow avocado from seed?

Water sprouting is the most easy way of planting and growing an avocado tree. Also, it is the easiest to do at home.

First, the ripe avocado seed needs to be washed in water, and then the top and bottom sides should be determined. The pointier side is the top and the broader side is the bottom of the seed.

How long do avocados take to grow from a seed?

Poke around 4 toothpicks on each side about halfway through the pit. Next, fill a glass of water and suspend the seed broad and down over the glass.

The grocery store toothpicks must align with the walls of the class or container. The water level must cover the bottom third of the seed.

The glass containing the avocado seed should be kept in a warm place with damp paper towel but not under direct sunlight. It would take 2 to 8 weeks until the roots or sprout grows from the seed.

How long do avocado trees live?

Avocado trees grow much faster than other plants. The expected lifespan of an avocado tree is quite long time but the oldest one’s growing in a natural climate can survive for around 200 to 400 years.

Is there an avocado tree size chart?

Fully mature avocado trees can grow between 40-80 feet. For indoors or home gardens a dwarf variety is most suitable.

But occasional pruning may be necessary depending on the growth rate of the plant. The spread of an avocado tree is around 5 to 8 feet.

There is no specific size chart and the height of a tree is mostly dependent on its variety.

How tall will your avocado tree grow?
Avocado trees can grow tall if not pruned back

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FAQ relating to Avocado how long to grow

How long does it take to grow an avocado from a pit?

It takes about two to six weeks for the seed to sprout. After that, the tree is likely to take 10 to 15 years to grow and give its first fruit.

How long does it take to grow an avocado from home?

It can take anywhere between 5 to 13 years for an avocado tree to mature fully at-home backyard.

How many avocados does a tree produce?

Once the tree is about 5 to 7 years of age it can give 200 to 300 fruits every year. Various reasons affect fruit production.

 How many times a year does an avocado tree bear fruit?

The fruit-bearing in hass avocados is alternating. It may produce a large crop 1 year and then a small crop the following year.

Derek
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