Tired of waiting years for your avocado tree to bear fruit? Growing avocados from seed can take up to a decade—but there’s a faster, smarter way.
By using cuttings from a mature tree, you can skip the wait and enjoy avocados sooner, all while preserving the flavor and quality of the parent plant.
Here’s how to do it, step by step:
Why Cuttings Over Seeds?
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Faster harvest: Fruit in a few years—not a decade
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Guaranteed results: Maintains the exact traits of the parent tree
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Compact & controllable: Great for containers or small gardens
What You’ll Need:
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A healthy avocado tree for cuttings
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Sharp, clean pruning shears
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Small onion (natural rooting aid) or commercial rooting hormone
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Pot with nutrient-rich, well-draining soil
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Spray bottle or watering can
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Warm, sunny location (indirect sunlight to start)
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Take a Healthy Cutting
Select a 6–8 inch semi-hardwood branch from a mature avocado tree with several leaves.
Avoid soft new growth or woody, aged branches.
2. Prepare the Cutting
Remove the lower leaves, keeping only the top 2–3.
Slice the base of the cutting at an angle for better absorption.
3. Use a Natural Rooting Aid (Like an Onion!)
Poke a small hole in the center of a halved onion and insert the cutting’s end. Leave it there for several hours or overnight.
Onions contain sulfur and enzymes that stimulate root growth naturally.
Alternatively, dip the end in rooting hormone powder or gel.
4. Plant in Potting Mix
Place the cutting into a pot filled with light, nutrient-rich soil (mix perlite or sand for better drainage).
Firm the soil gently around the base.
5. Create a Humid Environment
Cover with a plastic bag or place the pot in a mini greenhouse to retain moisture.
Keep the soil slightly moist—not soggy.
6. Give It Warmth and Light
Place the pot in a warm area with indirect sunlight. Avoid harsh direct rays until roots form.
7. Watch for Root Growth
Within 2–4 weeks, roots will begin to form.
Once new leaf growth appears and the cutting feels secure, remove the plastic covering and move to a brighter spot.
Transplant and Grow
After roots are well-established (typically 6–8 weeks), transplant your young avocado tree into a larger pot or garden bed.
With regular watering, feeding, and sunlight, it will mature much faster than seed-grown trees—and may produce fruit in just 2–4 years!
Final Tips for Success:
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Always take cuttings from a healthy, fruiting avocado tree
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Maintain high humidity and warmth in the early stages
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Avoid overwatering—root rot is your biggest enemy
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Be patient: while it’s faster than growing from seed, it still takes time!
Fresh, creamy avocados from your own tree? Yes, please!
Try this propagation method and enjoy the satisfaction of growing fruit the smart way—faster, more predictable, and just as delicious.
