Rinse the avocado seed to remove all fruit flesh
Dry the seed for 1–2 days
Insert 3–4 toothpicks around the seed’s middle to suspend it over a jar of water
Place the seed in a way that the bottom 1/3–1/2 is submerged in water
Set the jar in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight
Change the water every 3–7 days
Wait for roots to grow from the bottom and a sprout to emerge from the top (often 2–8 weeks)
Keep the water level so the bottom remains submerged
When the sprout has grown and the plant has a strong root system, move it to soil
Fill a pot with well-draining potting mix (use a pot with drainage holes)
Plant the seed with the bottom covered in soil and the top half exposed
Water thoroughly until water drains out, then water when the top 1 inch of soil feels dry
Place the plant in bright light or near a sunny window
Rotate the pot regularly for even growth
Pinch or cut the top when the plant reaches about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) to encourage branching
Fertilize lightly during active growth (spring through summer) using a balanced fertilizer
Keep temperatures consistently warm and protect from cold drafts
Repot into larger containers as the roots fill the pot
Expect fruiting only after many years and usually only with proper outdoor conditions or grafted trees