🥑 Indoor Avocado Tree Growing Progress (Part 2)

Welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we tell you all about gardening and the great indoors. Today, we’re coming back to take a visit with this avocado tree, which was originally planted from the pit. We did the original video with this tree in 2014 when it was a baby and had been growing in water for quite a while. Then, we did another follow-up video a couple of months later. Some viewers have asked about this guy, who I’ve named Sam. So, here he is! This is Sam after about five years. The original video showed Sam growing as a pit in water for quite some time.

Sam is pretty happy here, though he could be a little bit happier because he actually requires fertilizing right now. I’m going to talk about the care of indoor avocado trees once you get them growing. He’s been potted up several times into bigger containers. The nice thing about growing them in bigger containers like this is that you can also grow some things at the base of the plant, which is actually a good idea so that the soil doesn’t stay soggy. I’ve planted a coleus there and also some strawberries, which can be grown indoors as well.

In terms of having really good luck with growing avocado trees indoors, first things first—the lighting. Bright light is really important. This room here does have some western exposure light, so it gets pretty bright. However, I also have an AeroGarden, which you’ll see over there, which radiates light to give some extra light to Sam and other surrounding plants. You can also use full-spectrum light bulbs, which can be put in any type of fixture. For instance, if you have can lights or recessed lighting in the ceiling, or a hanging light, that works well.

A hanging light is actually ideal, especially if it’s in a fairly dim area, because it will get light to the top of the plant, which is the best place to get light for the plant when you’re growing them. You want the light to be about five to six inches from the top of the plant if possible. The more light, the better. For avocado trees growing indoors, they really need bright, bright light.

The next thing we want to talk about is fertilizer. Here is an avocado pit—this is where Sam started, and this is what you can get out of an avocado to plant from there. The fertilizer that I use is one we carry on HealthyHouseplants.com. It’s for houseplants, but it’s very well-balanced for other types of plants, including fruiting plants. You can also use a fruiting type of fertilizer as well. This is a granulated fertilizer, and there is a way to use granulated fertilizers that I prefer.

A lot of times, the bags will tell you to spread it evenly on the top of the soil. That’s okay; however, the fertilizer often stays on the top of the soil, and you want to get it in a little further. This is especially true with organic fertilizers, which I recommend, as they often contain mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi are microscopic and occur naturally outdoors. What this fungus does is attach to the plant’s roots and helps gather more nutrients and water than the plant could on its own. This is how forests and outdoor plants thrive.

Since indoor plants are in containers, adding mycorrhizal fungi, whether it’s in the fertilizer or another form, will help the plant. It also helps the plant fight off diseases and promotes overall plant health. To apply the fertilizer, I suggest using something about this size in diameter—maybe a little bigger. Wooden dowels also work. You would want to make holes in the container, about two to three inches deep, and then put the fertilizer into the holes. Depending on the plant’s size, the taller the plant, the deeper you should go because the roots are deeper.

Sprinkle the recommended amount of fertilizer from the package into these holes, then water it in. This ensures the fertilizer reaches the plant’s roots rather than just sitting on top of the soil. Another important aspect of caring for avocado trees is watering. Avocado trees are big on watering—they like a good drink and can be thirsty plants, especially outdoors. However, indoors, you still need to ensure the soil doesn’t become soggy. When the first inch to two inches of soil dries out, that’s when you want to water.

A good way to check is by sticking your finger into the soil. If it feels dry a little deeper in, then it’s time to water. You can also use a wooden dowel, chopstick, or skewer. Insert it into the soil, and if the soil falls off, the plant needs water. If the soil sticks to the dowel, as you can see here, it’s still wet, and no watering is needed. Overwatering can lead to fungal problems, like root rot, which can cause the avocado tree to die.

The size and dimensions of the pot are also important. With all houseplants and outdoor plants in pots, including avocado trees, you want a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio. You’ll see an example of this with the Croton over there—two-thirds plant, one-third pot. Often, people think the pot looks too small, but actually, that’s the perfect size. Once the plant gets bigger, it will need a larger pot, but always stick to the two-thirds plant, one-third pot rule.

When you use too big of a pot, the plant can suffer because there aren’t enough roots to absorb all the water in the soil. This leads to fungal diseases and root rot, causing the plant to die. It’s always better to err on the side of a slightly smaller pot than too large of one. When using a bigger pot, it’s a good idea to plant smaller plants around the base to avoid soggy soil. This won’t interfere with the avocado’s root growth, and you can always remove the smaller plants later if needed.

Let’s talk a bit about pruning. You’ll need to prune occasionally, removing leaves that aren’t doing well or growing much. For instance, this leaf here isn’t thriving, so I’ll remove it. Also, as I mentioned earlier, Sam needs fertilizer, and once he gets fertilized, his leaves will green up. You can also use spray fertilizers to apply nutrients to the leaves, which allows the plant to absorb the nutrients faster. This is especially useful when a plant looks like it needs to be fed quickly.

Regarding pruning, never prune off more than one-third of the plant’s growth, no matter how big the tree gets. If you let it grow too wild, be careful not to prune too much at once, as it can shock the tree, disrupt the flow of nutrients (phloem and xylem), and even kill it. Always prune conservatively, and I recommend pruning in late winter or early spring. Fertilizing, however, can be done now, especially with organic food.

Now, let’s step back and talk about repotting. I have some moist soil here that I’m using for top dressing. During the winter months, repotting isn’t ideal, but you can repot in early fall, early spring, or anywhere between. After that, if you feel the plant needs more nutrients or has sunk in the pot, you can simply top dress with moist organic soil. Pat it down gently, and you can also mix some fertilizer into the top dressing if needed.

Finally, if your indoor avocado tree blooms, which is possible, you’ll see little white flowers. Since you likely won’t have bees in your home to pollinate the flowers, you’ll need to hand-pollinate. Take a small brush or similar tool and gently transfer pollen from one flower to another. There are male and female flowers, so doing this ensures proper pollination and increases your chances of fruiting. That wraps it up for today!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great time gardening indoors! Please leave comments about any other indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.

Indoor Avocado Tree Care: FAQs

How do I grow an avocado tree indoors?

Growing an avocado tree indoors starts with planting an avocado pit in water or soil. Once the pit has sprouted, you can transfer it to a pot. Ensure the plant receives plenty of bright light, either from natural sunlight or using full-spectrum light bulbs, and water the plant when the first inch or two of soil dries out.

What kind of light does an indoor avocado tree need?

Avocado trees need bright, direct light. Western exposure is ideal, but you can also use full-spectrum bulbs or an AeroGarden to provide additional lighting. Hanging lights are particularly effective in dim areas, and it’s best to keep the light about five to six inches above the top of the plant.

How often should I water my avocado tree?

Water your avocado tree when the top inch or two of the soil is dry. To test this, you can stick your finger into the soil, or use a wooden dowel or skewer. If the soil sticks to the dowel, it’s still moist. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot and fungal issues.

What type of fertilizer should I use for an avocado tree?

Use a balanced fertilizer that is suitable for houseplants or fruiting plants. Organic fertilizers containing mycorrhizal fungi are particularly beneficial, as they help the plant’s roots absorb more nutrients and water. Make sure to apply the fertilizer by making small holes in the soil and then watering it in so it reaches the roots.

When should I repot my avocado tree?

Repotting is best done in early spring or early fall. During the winter, avoid repotting, but you can top-dress the soil by adding a layer of fresh, moist organic soil. If your plant has sunk in its pot, or if it needs more nutrients, top-dressing is a good alternative to repotting during off-seasons.

How should I prune my avocado tree?

Prune the avocado tree by removing leaves that aren’t doing well or growing properly. Be cautious not to prune more than one-third of the plant at a time, as it can shock the tree. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring, and be conservative to prevent disrupting the plant’s nutrient flow.

What should I do if my avocado tree flowers?

If your indoor avocado tree flowers, you may need to hand-pollinate. Use a small brush or similar tool to transfer pollen from one flower to another, as bees are unlikely to be available indoors for pollination. This process increases the chances of your avocado tree bearing fruit.

What size pot is best for an avocado tree?

It’s important to follow a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio for avocado trees. Using a pot that is too large can lead to root rot because the roots cannot absorb all the water, resulting in fungal issues. If you need to use a larger pot, consider planting smaller plants at the base to help balance moisture levels.

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