How to Grow Avocado on a Windowsill?

Experts believe that growing avocado outdoors is difficult due to varying climatic conditions, but you can do it at home on a windowsill.

How to Plant Avocado?

Like citrus, avocado is grown from a pit: place the blunt end into water left over for watering flowers. Before doing this, make three or four holes in the pit, 2–3 mm deep, and insert toothpicks into them. They will prevent the pit from sinking. Place the avocado on a windowsill so that the plant gets enough sunlight.

Change the water every few days and ensure the holes in the pit don't get wet. Also monitor the temperature — the plant loves warmth (but in the future it can tolerate small fluctuations up to +10 degrees).

Important!

If you have cats or dogs at home, it's better not to grow the plant or place it as high as possible. Avocado leaves are toxic to pets.

When to Transplant into a Pot?

When the sprout grows to 3 cm, transplant it into soil. You don't need to bury the pit in the soil — make drainage and a depression. One-third of the pit should protrude from the ground.

The soil should be loose and moist, but don't overdo it — too much water can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Transplant avocado every spring. The plant has a rich root system, so handle it carefully. Also in warm weather, fertilize the soil once or twice a month with special products.

About Pruning

Specialists recommend pruning the plant when it reaches 30 cm in height and allowing new leaves and stems to form. Each time the avocado tries to grow upward, pinch off the top.

Will Fruits Appear?

No one can guarantee that your plant will bear fruit. It may take from 5 to 10 years. Professionals graft plants themselves, but it's difficult to do in home conditions.

As an option, you can try pollinating the flowers when they appear. Take a cotton swab and swipe it over the flower, collecting pollen. Then use the same swab to swipe over other flowers. It's important not to change or clean it, otherwise there will be no result.

Photo source: thespruce.com