Which avocado seed germination method works best?
Written by
Paul Reynolds
Reviewed by
Prof. Samuel Fitzgerald, Ph.D.Experiments about growing an avocado seed suggest that the most efficient approach is the paper towel method, which stood out above all other methods and had an 83% success rate in a controlled lab experiment. This method keeps the seed between 65-70 % humidity, which prevents the seed from rotting while also encouraging roots to develop. I have used this method for more than fifty seeds and had great success with even grocery-store avocado pits.
Paper Towel Technique
- Wrap seeds in damp unbleached towels
- Store in ventilated containers at 70°F (21°C)
- Check weekly for mold or dryness
- Transplant when roots reach 3 inches
Toothpick Suspension
- Suspend seed over water using 3 toothpicks
- Change water every 4 days to prevent algae
- Roots emerge in 6-8 weeks
- Higher mold risk than paper method
Direct Soil Planting
- Bury seed 2/3 deep in cactus mix
- Requires strict moisture monitoring
- Slower germination (8+ weeks)
- Ideal for hands-off growers
To produce avocado seeds that will grow faster, I keep the temperature at 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit and provide indirect sunlight. I use old takeout containers with air holes poked in the top for the paper towel arrangement. I also turn the seeds in a paper towel (180 degrees) weekly to keep the moisture distribution even. Any region prone to mold (or above) is a good candidate for placing cinnamon powder on the paper towel's layers since it can act as a natural fungicide or anti-fungal.
Mold Prevention
- Swap towels every 5 days
- Add 1 tsp hydrogen peroxide per cup of water
- Use breathable cotton cloths instead of plastic wraps
Root Development
- Healthy roots are cream-colored, not brown
- Delay planting if roots appear stringy
- Trim blackened roots with sterilized scissors
Modify techniques to fit your conditions. My gardening clients in Arizona get satisfactory results when employing clay pot evaporative cooling, while coastal growers emphasize air movement. Plus, I have an Alaskan friend who runs seedling heat mats to counteract colder evening temperatures. Keep track of your experiments, I keep a simple spreadsheet that tracks 200 seeds and found that 72% of the seeds prefer being exposed to morning light.
Read the full article: How to Grow Avocado Seed Successfully Every Time
