How to Grow Avocado on a Windowsill?

Experts say it's hard to grow avocado outdoors due to varying climatic conditions, but you can do it at home on a windowsill.

How to plant avocado?
Like citrus fruits, avocado is grown from a pit: place the blunt end of the pit into water that has been left for watering flowers. Before doing this, make three or four holes in the pit about 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, keep an eye on temperature — the plant likes warmth (but in the future it can tolerate small fluctuations down to +10 degrees).

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

The soil should be loose and moist, but the most important thing is not to overwater — too much water can cause yellowing of the leaves. Transplant avocado every spring. The plant has a rich root system, so do 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 there be fruits?

No one can guarantee that your plant will bear fruit. It may take from 5 to 10 years. Professionals graft plants themselves, but doing this at home is difficult.

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

Photo source: thespruce.com