Avocado

Plant Care

Avocado Plant Characteristics

A full-grown avocado tree  may reach a height of 60 feet outdoors, but probably won’t surpass 10 feet or so if kept properly pruned indoors.

Types of  Avocado Plants

Here are three types you might enjoy growing indoors: - Day - Mexicola - Wurtz

Selecting Soil for Avocado Plants

Since avocado is highly susceptible to root rot, keep it in soil that drains very well and that has a pH between 6 and 6.5. A cactus and citrus potting mix that contains sand is one possibility.

The Right Light

Mature avocado trees need full sun, so they should be placed near a large south-facing window or in a greenhouse or sunroom.

Watering  Avocado Plants

Keep your avocado’s soil lightly but evenly moist during the spring and summer months. During autumn and winter, when root rot is more common, don’t water the plant again until its potting mix has dried out an inch beneath the surface.

Fertilizing  Avocado Plants

Feed your avocado plant during spring and summer only with an avocado and citrus fertilizer at the rate the directions recommend.

Setting the Temp.  and Humidity

If you move your plant outdoors for the summer, you should bring it back in before temperatures fall below 50 degrees outdoors and before the indoor air becomes dry due to central heating.

Propagating  Avocado Plants

The avocado seed-in-water experiment for growing avocado uses a glass of water and toothpicks to hold the seed on the glass. However, keep in mind that it actually is easier to start with soil, so you don’t have to transfer the “little sprout” to a pot later.

Safety Considerations

A fungicidal toxin in the plant called persin reportedly sometimes causes respiratory or cardiac problems, as well as mastitis, swelling, colic, or diarrhea in animals.

Potential Pests  and Diseases

Although seldom bothered by pests, avocado is vulnerable to both root rot and sunburn.

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