Can an Avocado Tree Grow Indoors?
Avocados are a popular and nutritious fruit. With a growing interest in sustainable self-sources produce, there’s an increasing number of home gardeners that are interested in growing an avocado tree indoors – but is that possible?
At first, the idea seems improbable. An avocado tree can grow over 60 feet tall in the right environment and has a wrap-around root structure that’s typically 4 – 6 times the circumference of the branches. It’s a species that requires a 9-month warm period, so unless you can meet its climate requirements, it may seem a less than sensible idea.
Climate Requirements
Whilst the optimal temperature for an avocado tree is between 18 and 21°C, it’s not totally hard rule. According to leading horticulturalists, avocado trees can adjust to a range of temperature between 8 and 32°C. However, if temperatures dip below 8°C for extended periods, the tree may be severely damaged.
The ideal humidity level is 25% to 50%. However, avocado trees can tolerate the humidity level under 25% as long as they are watered regularly.
Soil Requirements
Avocado trees thrive in loams, sandy soils with good drainage. To improve outdoor soil, a good horticulturalist may suggest adding organic matter or creating raised beds in-fill with a free-draining sandy loam or compost to improve drainage. To reduce the risk of scorching, at least 30 cm of soil should be spread around the plant’s roots.
When it comes to containers, look for wide, shallow pots made from porous material such as terracotta. Fill them with free-draining potting soil or a combination of peat moss, loam, and perlite. Containers should be able to retain moisture, but with enough drainage to prevent the roots from becoming waterlogged.
Pruning and Care
Considering that an avocado tree can expand up to 6 times the circumference of its branches, pruning and training is essential. Additionally, since avocado trees like direct sunlight and frequent feeding, they must be moved to ensure they receive the optimal amount. Finally, a regular watering schedule is necessary to mimic the rainfall they would experience in the wild.
Repotting and Transplanting
If you want to keep your tree growing healthily and larger, you’ll need to repot the tree. As it grows, the roots will clog the pot and reduce the amount of nutrients it can absorb. When transplanting an indoor avocado tree, make sure to take extra care as the roots can be quite sensitive. If you’re transplanting an established tree, it is advised to prune the roots before you repot.
Realism Of Growing an Avocado Tree Indoors
Realistically, growing an avocado tree indoors carries a significant risk of failure and even if you get past this stage, it could take years before you have actual fruit. Caring for your avocado tree correctly requires knowledge and commitment to reviewing the tree’s conditions on a regular basis.
Most top horticulturalists advise people that unless you have a perfect and controlled environment, it’s unlikely the tree will survive for long and even then, it may not last for more than 2 or 3 years.
Can You Still Propagate an Avocado Tree Indoors?
According to experts, you can easily grow a new avocado tree from a pit in a glass of water. To do this, start by removing the pit from a fully ripe avocado, cleaning off any remaining flesh, then suspending the pit over a glass of water. Make sure the bottom half of the pit is submerged in the water. This will help the pit form roots, which can then be transplanted into a larger pot with loamy soil – mimicking the natural conditions of an outdoor tree environment.
Grafting Avocado Trees
Whilst this option may not be possible for everyone, grafting is a way to propagate avocados. Despite being a difficult technique that requires multiple stages of grafting and pruning, it may be the only way to get a disease-resistant and reliable crop of avocados. To do this, an existing avocado tree is required for the rootstock.
Grafting is a skill that’s better left to professionals. If you do decide to do this on your own, it’s worth noting that there’s a certain degree of risk involved and an expert may be able to provide advice as to the best process to follow.
Can You Grow an Avocado Tree from Fruit Bought from the Supermarket?
Starting with a supermarket bought avocado fruit is possible, but it’s unlikely the tree will bear edible fruits. Most supermarkets use cultivars that may not germinate correctly and the trees may be weak and prone to disease.
It’s much better to source a tree from a reputable nursery or garden center, which will ensure you’re getting what you need to create a healthy and productive tree.
Can You Plant a Ripe Avocado that’s Fallen from a Tree?
It’s possible to plant a ripe avocado that’s fallen from a tree, but it’s highly unlikely the tree will bear fruits. If you’d like to become a backyard avocado grower, it may be worth looking for a cultivar with good disease resistance and source it from a reputable nursery or garden center.
Harvesting Avocados From a Home Grown Tree
If you’ve been successful in growing your own avocado tree, you may have the delight of harvesting your own home-grown avocados. Most avocado trees produce their fruit between their fourth and seventh year, although this may be longer depending on the type of cultivar and conditions.
When harvesting, look for an olive-green colour and a slightly soft consistency to the fruit. When harvesting, gently pull the fruit away from the tree or knock it away. It’s normal for the fruit to be damaged or have some surface stings – these should be cut away from the edible portion.
Potential Pitfalls of Growing an Avocado Tree Indoors
Creating the right environment for an avocado tree to flourish indoors is no mean feat and comes with a range of potential pitfalls. Depending on the size of your home, you may experience limited mobility when repotting and there’s also the risk of pests, diseases and temperature shifts that could cause damage to the tree.
Additionally, lights must able to provide enough luminosity to the avocado tree and without this, the yield of fruits may be significantly reduced.
Bringing An Avocado Tree Into Your Home
An avocado tree can be an amazing addition to your home. However, it’s important to consider the time and effort it takes to ensure they grow suitably. In addition to the requirements of climate, soil and water mentioned above, you may also need to consider utilising containers, heat lamps or trellises. With such considerations, you may also need to think about space limitations.
Greenspaces, Light and Fertilizers for Growing an Avocado Tree
If you want to keep your avocado tree healthy and bear fruit, you’ll need to invest in greenhouses, grow lights and a range of fertilizers.
Greenhouses are excellent solutions for giving an avocado tree the sun and warmth it needs all year round. Be sure to create adequate airflow and look at supplementing with grow lights, which can be highly efficient in assisting avocados in flowering and fruiting. This can be supplemented by liquid fertilizer and mulch that’s made specifically for avocado trees.
Educating Yourself Before Jumping In
Before deciding to add an avocado tree to your home, it’s important to educate yourself and make sure you can meet all its requirements. Make sure you read advice and opinions from experts and don’t be afraid to source advice from a professional before purchasing a tree.
Whilst it’s certainly possible to grow an avocado tree indoors, it’s not an easy or uncomplicated task. Keep in mind that it won’t be a fast-growing plant, and results may not be seen for several months or even years. But if everything’s done correctly and with dedication, an indoor avocado tree could be a great addition to your home.
