Avocado trees can provide more benefits than their fruit, and are long-lived trees. An avocado tree is a great choice if you’re thinking of planting one. But how long does it take to grow an avocado?

Avocado trees that were planted as saplings take approximately 3-4 years to bear fruit. Growing an avocado tree from seed can take as long as 13 years. Healthy avocado trees will grow on average 3 feet per year, reaching their maximum height of 40 feet.

This will show you the entire timeline of an avocado tree’s growth. You’ll also learn what to expect over this period. We’ll also share some tips that will help you grow your avocado tree and keep pests away. Let’s get started!

How Quickly Does An Avocado Tree Grow?

An avocado tree takes a while before reaching full maturity. However, there are many milestones that must be taken into consideration when discussing the ‘how long it takes’ for these trees to reach their full potential.

An avocado tree does not reach full maturity until it produces fruit. These trees can produce avocados in 3-5 years if they are grown from saplings. Avocado trees that were planted from seeds take up to 13 years to mature.

This timeline might make it clear why there is such a big difference. You can’t plant a sapling without taking a chance at planting an avocado pit.

It turns out that this is wrong.

Avocado trees that are grafted from saplings mature faster. These trees can be grafted from mature trees which makes them more productive.

If we’re talking about avocado trees, it takes approximately 9 months for a fruit to mature from a bloom to a ripe, edible and delicious superfood.

How Long Does It Take To Grow An Avocado Tree? Full Timeline

You’ve decided that avocados are your favorite fruit and you want to plant one. What should you expect? What are your options?

How many years will it take for your tree to produce your favorite avocados?

Avocado trees can be grown easily. Avocado trees are adaptable and can be planted in a variety of ways.

Day 1: Finding The Right Avocado Seed (Or Sapling)

Finding a seed to plant is the first step in our timeline for avocado trees. You could also choose to go in a different direction, and plant a sapling.

This can be as simple as saving the pit from a delicious avocado that you’ve just eaten.

These are the steps to follow to plant an avocado tree in a pit.

• Wash the pit. After you’ve finished eating your avocado, clean the pit and dry it.
• Prepare your avocado pit and a container of water. This can take two steps technically but we want it to be simple for you. Fill a large container with water, any glass jar will do. Now locate the wide end of your avocado pit. Once the water jar is filled, this is where the pit should face down.
• Use toothpicks to place around the pit. Next, press a few toothpicks onto different sides of the pit before placing it in the water jar. These will allow you to place the pit suspended in the water, but not completely submerged. The toothpicks should be placed so that the avocado can rest in the water.
• Get good lighting. Now place your water container, which now holds a semi-suspended Avocado, in a warm, sunny spot. It should not be exposed to direct sunlight for more than 10% of the time. It all comes down to balance!
• Fill the jar with water, but not too much.

Your avocado seed should start sprouting roots and a stem within 2 to 3 weeks. These should begin to appear within 8 weeks. If they don’t, your seed isn’t viable.

We recommend that you start with just a few avocado seeds. This will ensure that at least one sprouts and can be planted.

If you don’t have the funds to do the above, a kit such as the AvoSeedo Avocado Tree Growing Kit can be a great place to start. The kit includes instructions, a seed, and a pot. If you have any difficulties getting your seed to germinate, the company offers assistance.

Day 1 – Day 90: Planting An Avocado Seed In March-June

Your seed will be ready for planting when the roots are thicker and the stem has some foliage.

Place your seed in a container of soil to allow it to adjust to the new environment. At this stage, it is best to use pots that measure approximately 10 inches in diameter.

Once you have established a viable root ball and the avocado seed has some roots, it is time to plant! It can be anytime between March and June.

It is crucial to plant trees’ seeds at the right time of the year. Planting seeds in the fall or late summer months may cause the seed to not be established before it is subject to the effects of cold temperatures and other factors.

This applies even to areas with lower fluctuations.

To place the root ball beneath the soil’s surface, dig a hole a little deeper than the root ball.

Avocado trees have shallow roots. Most of the major roots are located within half a meter of the soil surface. Place the root ball or tree (if you’re transplanting one) gently in its new soil. However, don’t dig too deeply.

You can also find other shallow root trees in the article 6 Best Fruit Trees With Shallow Roots: Identification guide. There are many ways to grow produce without fear.

Where To Plant Your Avocado Seed

Avocado trees require moderately humid conditions to thrive.

They thrive in zones 8-11 of the USDA hardiness zone.

Are you based in the United States? If so and are looking for the best place to plant avocado trees or to verify that your area is suitable, then you can refer to the USDA Zone Map.

What is the USDA plant hardiness zone (or growing)?

The USDA has designated different zones of hardiness across the country. You can find them on the map.

Avocado trees are in the lower range of hardiness, therefore they are less resilient.

Okay… what does that mean?

These trees aren’t as well-equipped than other evergreens that aren’t tropical.

Each zone in the USDA hardiness zones corresponds to a temperature range of 10 degrees Fahrenheit. These zones are broken down into alphabets, but you don’t need to be worried. They divide the 10-degree temperature range into two halves, the lower 5°s of the range being broken down and the higher.

Zone 8 is an example of minimum temperatures. Subzone 8a refers to temperatures between 10 and 15 F, while subzone 8b refers only to temperatures between 15 and 20 F.

Avocado trees can handle temperatures as low at 10 degrees Fahrenheit once they are established. However, it is important that you avoid freezing temperatures.

A tree’s ability to handle certain conditions doesn’t mean that it will.

Month 3 – Year 1: Watching your Avocado Tree Grow

If your avocado tree is a seedling, the first year is going to be very difficult. So be aware of any possible wilts or slow growth.

You can avoid the initial vulnerability and watch your tree grow bigger if you choose to plant as a sapling. This is an additional factor to be aware of.

What amount of time and attention are you willing to devote to your tree? This will help you decide the best place to start an avocado tree.

Your little avocado tree should be kept in its original pot until you decide it is large enough to transplant. It can be planted in your garden or in any other area you choose.

Year 1 – Year 3: Focusing On Sustaining A Healthy Tree

When your tree has reached the point of being planted in the ground after a few years, you can refer to the section that follows.

We will refer to avocado trees that are born from both the seedling and sapling stages as saplings at this stage. They should be both in this stage. Your seed will be mature enough to become a sapling. However, your seedling will be bigger and more mature than the sapling.

A sapling might do well indoors, and may grow quickly. When you move your tree outside, it might change the way you see it growing.

Many factors could play a role in this, but the most important is the environment.

Indoors, it is possible to create a climate-controlled environment for your sapling. The air was warm and humid and the sapling got warm sunlight, but it wasn’t directly placed in it.

The air outside may feel dry or too humid, and the sun might be too bright for your tree. You might also find that there is less sunlight outside than in your home.

These factors can pose a problem for your tree as it continues to grow in the same manner. Before you place your tree outside, make sure it is prepared for the elements.

This will not be a problem if you live in an area that produces avocado trees like California or Mexico. This is something you should consider if your area has a similar climate to yours.

The adjustment period is all about adapting, but there are things you can do to help your tree adjust quickly and effectively.

How To Transplant Your Avocado Tree Sapling

It is important to make sure your tree is properly transplanted.

These steps will make the process smooth and easy.

• Choose the best location. You will need to make sure your tree receives plenty of sunlight if you want avocados. Avoid planting too close to trees or structures. This is also a consideration for any tree. Roots should not be too close to foundations and buildings.
• Make a hole that is suitable for your roots. Avocado tree roots thrive when they are positioned at least 6 inches below the soil surface. The hole should be approximately four times the size the root ball.
• Return the dirt into this hole, broken down and looser.
• Dig another smaller hole bigger than the root ball in this newly loosen soil.
• Take your avocado tree with you to its new place. It is easier to transport it with two people. Then, place it in the hole that has been dug in the soil.
• Apply the native soil to the avocado tree and water well.

Year 3 – Year 13: Avocado Production Begins On Your Tree

Your tree will be ready when it reaches a certain point.

It is important to remember that the point in time at which the tree began can be very different.

Although an avocado tree might not reach full maturity before it bears its first fruit, it will need to be mature enough to produce avocados, rather than growing taller or wider.

This is important to remember if you decide to grow an avocado tree from seed. Expect a longer time frame between the moment you start your plant’s growth, and when you get your first avocado production.

An avocado tree from seed can take anywhere from 13 to fifteen years to grow to produce avocados. If you have young children, this could be a fun science project they can do as they become teenagers and will most likely like avocados.

If you’re patient and ready to wait, your avocado will turn into a tree that grows new avocados. If you have the energy and time, it is quite a thrilling full-circle moment.

There are many ways to grow avocado trees that produce fruit faster. As you can see, an avocado tree that is already a sapling (bought online, at your local nursery or other stores) will start producing fruit anytime between three and five years.

Where Do Avocados Trees Grow?

Avocados can also be grown in the warmer regions of the United States, such as Florida and California.

Avocado fruit is a native of Mexico and Central America. We import many avocados from these areas, which are incredibly well-suited to sustaining their growth.

One very popular avocado variety is the Hass avocado. This avocado has dark green skin with a rogue exterior. This variety can be grown all year round in California’s valleys.

Other varieties can be found in Arizona, New Mexico and other states bordering Mexico. These areas have a moderate climate and a little humidity. These popular green nutritional supplements are also available in many other countries.

Keeping Your Avocado Tree Healthy

Avocado plants thrive in the climates where they are grown. Keep your avocado tree in a sunny, warm, and partly humid place whenever possible. This is especially true when the tree is large enough to be replanted in the ground.

It may not be worthwhile to transplant an avocado tree if you don’t live in an area that has the right climate.

You will need to water the tree often so make sure that the soil drains well. Sometimes, the tree may need a deep soak. It is vital to have a well-drained soil as you don’t want any standing water.

To encourage a bushier appearance of your avocado tree, pinch the stem every 6 inches. This will allow you to keep any aesthetic appearances that you might want to preserve.

Summary

This timeline will help you understand the beginning life of an avocado tree.

Growing avocados can be so much fun, no matter if you start with a seedling or a sapling.

Happy gardening! Remember, we’re here to help you grow your tree.