my LocalPlanting

How to Grow Avocado Tree

Reviewed by MyLocalPlanting Editorial Team Updated Sources
Avocado Tree (Persea americana)

Get Your Exact Avocado Tree Planting Dates

Enter your ZIP, city, state, or zone for a personalized planting calendar.

Try:

Get your Avocado Tree

Plant nursery stock — skip years of growing from seed.

Plant Addicts Amazon

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Supplies You'll Need

Large Garden Pot Fruit Tree Fertilizer Garden Netting Watering Can

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Plant Overview

Scientific Name Persea americana
Category fruit_tree
Days to Maturity 1825 days
Starting Method Nursery Stock

Growing Requirements

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

Water

Regular (1-2 inches/week)

Spacing

20 ft apart

Depth

2" deep

Height

10-30 ft

Germination

21-42 days

Ready to Plant Avocado Tree?

Buy nursery-quality plants and skip years of growing from seed.

Plant Addicts Amazon

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Seed Saving Guide

Moderate
Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Use the pit from any ripe avocado — it's ready to sprout immediately.

Processing

Wash pit clean, suspend half-submerged over water with toothpicks, or bury 1 inch deep. Roots in 4–6 weeks.

Pro Tip

Seed-grown avocados take 7–15 years to fruit and won't match the parent variety — but a fun project.

Seed Storage Supplies

Seed Envelopes Mylar Storage Bags Silica Gel Packets Seed Organizer

* Affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Avocado Tree Planting Calendar by Zone

Zone 1a Zone 1b Zone 2a Zone 2b Zone 3a Zone 3b Zone 4a Zone 4b Zone 5a Zone 5b Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a Zone 9b Zone 10a Zone 10b Zone 11a Zone 11b Zone 12a Zone 12b Zone 13a

Avocado Tree Planting Calendar by State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine View all states →

Other Plants

Blackberry Blueberry Raspberry Strawberry Basil Chamomile Chives Cilantro Dill Lavender Lemon Balm Marjoram Mint Oregano Parsley Rosemary Sage Tarragon Thyme Acorn Squash Artichoke Arugula Asparagus Beefsteak Tomato Beet Bell Pepper Bok Choy Broccoli Brussels Sprout Butternut Squash Cabbage Cantaloupe Carrot Cauliflower Cayenne Pepper Celery Cherry Tomato Chili Pepper Collard Green Common Bean Cucumber Eggplant Endive Fennel Garlic Grape Tomato Green Bean Habanero Pepper Head Lettuce Heirloom Tomato Honeydew Melon Jalapeño Pepper Kale Kohlrabi Leaf Lettuce Leek Lima Bean Mustard Okra Onion Parsnip Pea Poblano Pepper Pole Pea Potato Pumpkin Radicchio Radish Rhubarb Roma Tomato Rutabaga Serrano Pepper Shallot Snap Pea Snow Pea Spaghetti Squash Spinach Squash Sweet Corn Sweet Potato Swiss Chard Tomato Turnip Watermelon Zucchini Sunflower Marigold Zinnia Nasturtium Cosmos Echinacea (Coneflower) Petunia Black-eyed Susan Apple Tree Pear Tree Peach Tree Plum Tree Sweet Cherry Tree Lemon Tree Borage Lemongrass Ginger Stevia Tomatillo Edamame Fava Bean Mâche Mizuna Sorrel Shishito Pepper Banana Pepper Watermelon Radish Napa Cabbage Popcorn Broccoli Raab Catnip Valerian Lemon Verbena Bee Balm Anise Lovage Chervil Summer Savory Dahlia Snapdragon Pansy Sweet Pea Morning Glory Hollyhock Larkspur Bachelor Button Columbine Impatiens Salvia (Annual) Sweet Alyssum Celosia Lupine Verbena Elderberry Grape Vine Red Currant Gooseberry Serviceberry Fig Tree Persimmon Tree Olive Tree Tulip Daffodil Crocus Hyacinth Grape Hyacinth Ornamental Allium Bearded Iris Snowdrop Asiatic Lily Gladiolus Hydrangea Rose Lilac Azalea Rhododendron Butterfly Bush Peony Hosta Daylily Red Maple Japanese Maple Flowering Dogwood Southern Magnolia Eastern Redbud Crape Myrtle Arborvitae Boxwood

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Avocado Tree? +

Plant container-grown or bare-root Avocado Tree in early spring, 4 weeks after your last frost date — or in early fall once summer heat breaks. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your location.

How long does Avocado Tree take to grow? +

Avocado Tree is a long-lived plant — expect the first real harvest about 5 years after planting, once established.

Should I start Avocado Tree indoors or direct sow? +

Neither — Avocado Tree isn't grown from seed at home. Buy a container-grown or bare-root plant from a nursery and plant it outdoors at the right time for your local frost dates.

How much sun does Avocado Tree need? +

Avocado Tree requires full sun (6-8 hours) to thrive.

How far apart should I plant Avocado Tree? +

Space Avocado Tree plants 240 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.

How much water does Avocado Tree need? +

Avocado Tree has regular (1-2 inches/week) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.

Can you save seeds from Avocado Tree? +

Yes — seed saving difficulty for Avocado Tree is rated moderate. Use the pit from any ripe avocado — it's ready to sprout immediately. Wash pit clean, suspend half-submerged over water with toothpicks, or bury 1 inch deep. Roots in 4–6 weeks.

Are Avocado Tree seeds open-pollinated? +

Yes — Avocado Tree is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.

About Avocado Tree

Tropical evergreen tree producing rich, buttery fruit. Requires two varieties for cross-pollination. Can be grown in containers. Frost-sensitive below 28°F.

Expect your Avocado Tree to be ready for harvest in approximately 1825 days from planting.

Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.