Can grocery store avocado seeds grow fruit?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.It's possible to plant avocado seeds bought at the supermarket and eventually have fruit. However, it takes patience. I have a Hass seed tree that I planted 9 years ago. It blossomed last spring, but there was no fruit, which is typical. Since he wanted a grafted tree, the local commercial orchards don't seed trees because the produce doesn't compare to that of the planted trees. If you want to eat fruit, you will need to graft a branch of a tree that you know has good fruit.
Seed Limitations
- Only 1 in 4,000 seeds replicates parent fruit
- Cross-pollination alters flavor and texture
- Thick skins and large pits dominate
Grafting Advantages
- Guarantees fruit type and quality
- Reduces fruiting wait to 3-4 years
- Uses mature scion wood from nurseries
Soil & Climate
- Maintain pH 6.0-6.5 with lime amendments
- Protect from temperatures below 28°F (-2°C)
- Ensure 30+ inches annual rainfall or irrigation
Pollination Boosters
- Plant Type A & B varieties together
- Attract bees with flowering companion plants
- Hand-pollinate with artist brushes
Confront widespread misconceptions regarding avocado seeds. Several people believe all grocery store pits will germinate, however, I have tested 100 Hass seeds and found that only 35% sank to the bottom when placed in water. Additionally, people expect the fruit to appear quickly as well; my neighbor's tree took 11 years to bear fruit. The only workaround for consistent results is grafting.
It is important to document the progress of your tree carefully. I do a monthly journal about leaf spreading, trunk thickness, and pest problems. This documentation allowed me to identify when root rotting went viral, letting me intervene early. I have reported my various studies to several local gardening clubs and their critiques eventually allowed me to refine my grafting over the last monsoon period.
Read the full article: How to Grow Avocado Seed Successfully Every Time
