If you live in the southern tip of the United States or further south, you can grow an avocado tree, (Persea americana) outdoors in your garden. Avocado trees can grow up to 60 feet outdoors. These subtropical evergreen fruit trees are best known for their creamy fruits.
Though many people like to grow avocado trees specifically for the fruit, the trees also have ornamental value because of their thick, bright green foliage. Outdoors, the trees need warmth and space to fruit. Indoors, you will need the right type of tree if you want it to fruit. Either way, it may take 3 to 4 years for fruiting to occur.
It is important to keep in mind that all parts of this tree, including the fruit, are toxic to a wide range of animals.
Common Name | Avocado Tree |
Botanical Name | Persea americana |
Family | Lauraceae |
Plant Type | Tree, Fruit |
Mature Size | 60 ft. tall, 30 ft. wide |
Sun Exposure | Full, Partial |
Soil Type | Loamy, Sandy, Well-drained |
Soil pH | Acidic, Neutral |
Bloom Time | Winter, Spring, Summer |
Flower Color | Yellow, Green |
Hardiness Zones | 9-11 (USDA) |
Native Area | North America, Central America, Asia |
Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
How to Plant an Avocado Tree
It is best to plant avocado trees outdoors in the spring, allowing ample time to become established before winter temperatures arrive. Plant your avocado tree in a location with plenty of sunlight and well-draining soil. If soil conditions are less than ideal, amend the soil with sand or another well-draining substrate before planting.
The trees are vulnerable to high winds, so immature trees may benefit from support. Choosing a planting location that offers wind protection will help keep your tree upright and healthy. It should be at least 10 feet away from structures.
The avocado tree's root system is sensitive, so try not to disturb the roots during planting. Dig a hole that is wider than the root structure and the same height as the root ball.
Tip
Avocado trees grown from seed (avocado pits) will not produce the same fruit as the mother—so purchasing a young tree and growing it will yield fruit easier and faster.
Avocado Tree Care
Light
Like most tropical plants, the avocado tree thrives on a lot of sunshine. Plant this tree in a location where it can receive at least 8 hours of sunlight every day. These trees can tolerate partial shade, but grow best and produce more fruits when kept in full sun.
Soil
Avocado trees prefer rich, loamy, and well-draining soil. A soil pH that is acidic to neutral, between 5 and 7, is ideal; it's sensitive to alkaline soil.
Adding a layer of mulch around the tree can help the soil retain the right amount of moisture and will offer protection to the avocado tree's shallow root system. Don't mulch any closer than 6 inches from the trunk.
Water
Avocado trees benefit from infrequent, deep watering. This encourages deeper, stronger root growth. Wait until the soil begins to dry out, then water deeply. During the summer months, the avocado tree will require more frequent watering.
Young trees also require more frequent watering as they become established. Mature trees should receive around 2 inches of water per week.
Temperature and Humidity
These famous fruit trees can only be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, limiting an avocado tree to climates that are tropical and subtropical, unless you decide to grow an avocado tree indoors.
They are frost-sensitive and grow best in temperatures between 50°F and 85°F.Though prolonged temperatures around 30°F will be too cold for avocado trees, they should be able to withstand an occasional, very brief freeze.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing an avocado tree starting in the late winter to early spring and feed until the fall, depending on the specific instructions included with your chosen fertilizer. Fertilizers specifically designed for avocado or citrus trees work well.
Pollination
For optimum pollination, it is ideal to have two avocado trees.(An avocado tree's flowers have male and female parts, but they open at separate times, so self-pollination is unlikely.)
Avocado trees are considered either type A or type B, and each type opens its flowers parts at different times of day. These different times make cross-pollination between the two types possible. When choosing which trees to plant, be sure you have both type A and type B for the best results.
How to Grow Avocado Trees From Seed
Starting an avocado tree from seed is a fun, simple project. However, it is important to keep in mind that seeds will not produce trees identical to the parent tree.
To do this, you will need an avocado seed, a jar of water, toothpicks, a sharp knife, a small pot, and well-draining potting soil. Then follow these instructions:
- Using a sharp knife, poke three or four holes around the circumference of the avocado seed.
- Poke the toothpicks into the holes. This will create the support needed to suspend the seed in water.
- Submerge the thick, or bottom end, of the seed into the water. Around one-third of the seed should be in the water.
- Place the seed in a sunny location and change the water daily.
- After a few weeks, roots should form and leaves should appear at the top of the seed.
- Once this occurs, gently plant the seed in well-draining soil.
Types of Avocado Trees
All avocado trees stem from three main varieties: Mexican, West Indian, and Guatemalan. Within these categories, there are several avocado varieties available.
- Hass: One of the most popular avocado varieties, the Hass avocado is often found in grocery stores. This is a type A tree that produces thick, bumpy-skinned, rich, and creamy fruits. It is more sensitive to heat than other varieties. Hass avocado trees are known to produce a reasonably sized yield when grown on their own.
- Fuerte: Also a widely known avocado type, the Fuerte avocado is a type B tree often grown with Hass avocados. These trees produce large, oval-shaped fruits with relatively smooth, thin skin. These trees are also more sensitive to heat, making them a good fit for the northern borders of the avocado's growing zones.
- Pinkerton: This type A, Guatemalan tree is popular for its smaller size and large fruit yield. It produces oblong fruits with flesh similar to the Hass avocado—rich and creamy. These trees require a type B avocado tree to produce a significant fruit yield.
Harvesting Avocados
On a healthy outdoor avocado tree, you could harvest upwards of 200 avocados per season. For nursery-bought trees, you can expect to see fruit in three to four years. For avocados started from seed, it may take five to 13 years before fruits appear.
When fruits appear, wait until the avocado grows to its mature size. The fruits do not ripen on the tree, so avocados are picked as soon as they are full size. Bring the avocados indoors and let them rest on a counter until ripe.
How to Grow Avocado Trees in Pots
Avocados can be grown in pots outdoors, though it will stifle their growth. (They can also be grown indoors in pots.) This is ideal for small yards or gardens near the northern edge of the avocado’s growing zones, as potted trees can be moved to a protected area when cold weather arrives.
Young trees or dwarf varieties are ideal for growing in pots as these will stay small for some time. When choosing a container, be sure it drains well and has unobstructed drainage holes, ideally a terracotta pot since it's more breathable.
Pruning
If avocado trees are grown from seed, start pruning when the seedling is only 6 inches tall, snipping off the top pair of the leaves. When it reaches a foot in height, trim it back 6 inches. After this, prune the tree yearly.
Mature trees require occasional pruning. Light pruning can be done any time of year, though heavy pruning should be done in the early spring. Prune thick areas to ensure adequate light and airflow. Cut back any dead wood and trim away V-shaped branches. Don't take off more than one-third of the length of each branch.
Propagating Avocado Trees
Propagation is often done through grafting, layering, or cuttings. Grafting is often done to combine the desirable qualities of two different varieties of avocados while layering and starting cuttings are done to produce duplicate trees. Here’s how to perform each method of propagation:
Propagating an Avocado Tree From Cuttings
You will need sharp snips, moist and well-draining potting soil, a small pot, and IBA rooting hormone.
- In the spring, select new growth that is 5 to 6 inches long and has several leaves that have not opened.
- Using sharp snips, cut the new growth branch at a 45-degree angle.
- Wound the cut end by scraping at the bark on either side of the cutting. This will encourage root production.
- Dip the cutting into IBA rooting hormone.
- Bury the cut end into moist, well-draining soil.
- Keep the soil moist and place the cutting in a sunny area.
- After a couple of weeks, gently tug the cutting to check for resistance, which indicates root growth. Repot the cutting into a larger pot or outdoors.
Grafting an Avocado Tree
You will need sharp snips, a sharp knife, and something to cover the grafted area, such as grafting tape.
- Follow steps 1 and 2 as if you are taking a cutting.
- Remove the tip of the cutting, along with any leaves that are present.
- Then, wound the tree you would like to graft onto by removing a section of bark.
- Make sure the cambium of the cutting and the cambium of the tree are touching.
- Secure the cutting onto the tree with grafting tape, making sure to cover the exposed areas.
- In a few weeks, the grafted branch and the main tree should be fused together.
Air Layering an Avocado Tree
You will need a sharp knife, a rooting medium that can be wrapped around a branch, and rope or tape to secure the rooting medium around the tree.
- Select the branch you would like to take as a new tree.
- Using a clean knife, cut two circles around the branch to create a section of bark that can be peeled away.
- Once the bark is removed, scrape the inner branch to clean the cambium away.
- Wrap the exposed inner branch with rooting material, such as compost in a small bag (make sure the compost is wrapping the branch, not the bag) or another rooting medium. Secure around the branch with rope or tape.
- In several weeks, roots should develop. When this occurs, remove the bag, cut the branch off below the formed roots, and plant the new tree.
Overwintering
When grown in the appropriate zones, avocado trees do not require extra care during the winter unless the area experiences a frost. Protect the tree from a cold front by wrapping it loosely in burlap and adding extra soil at the base of its trunk until the frost has passed.
For trees grown on the northern edges of their growing zones, it is best to keep them in pots so they can be moved to an area protected from cold weather.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Common pests that may bother an avocado tree include mites, caterpillars, borers, lace bugs, and thrips. Diseases include root rot, fruit rot, sun blotch, and cankers. Be alert to the presence of these pests or early signs of disease. Prompt action is the best way to remedy any developing problems before they threaten the health of your avocado tree.
FAQ
Are avocado trees easy to maintain?
Though avocado trees are not quick to produce fruits, growing the tree for ornamental value is easy—assuming you’re growing the tree within its growing zones.
Do you need two avocado trees to produce fruit?
While some avocado trees are self-fruiting, such as the Hass avocado, these trees will always produce a larger yield of fruit if two are grown near each other. Be sure you plant a type A and a type B avocado tree for the best results.
What is the lifespan of an avocado tree?
The lifespan of an avocado tree will depend on its environment. However, healthy avocado trees have been known to live for hundreds of years. Some have even been reported to live up to 400 years old.
Will a potted avocado tree bear fruit?
Fruiting a potted avocado tree can be tricky, especially if it's indoors. If you carefully choose a grafted dwarf hybrid variety, you might expect a small amount of fruit in time. One of the best grafted dwarf varieties of avocado, the Wurtz (or 'Little Cado'), is known to fruit when grown in a container.
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