Avocado (Persea americana)

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The avocado, a tree likely originating from south-central Mexico, is classified as a member of the flowering plant family Lauraceae.
• The fruit of the plant also called an avocado, is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed.

SOIL REQUIREMENT

• Avocados like loose, rich, well-draining soil.
• Plant in a container that has drainage holes, in good quality potting soil.
• The soil may need to be sandy to accommodate the tree's large roots and fast-draining so that the roots do not succumb to root rot fungus.

FEEDING/FERTILIZER REQUIREMENT

• Avocados need nitrogen, first and foremost, and a little zinc.
• You can use a citrus tree fertilizer as an avocado fertilizer or go organic and use compost, coffee, fish emulsion, etc.

LIGHT REQUIREMENT

• Avocado plants thrive in full sun.
• They will tolerate some shade, but potted indoor plants generally need the brightest spot you can find.
• If you're starting from a seed, the seed can be kept on a bright windowsill until roots form, and the first leaves emerge.

WATER REQUIREMENT

• As with most plants, you don't want the tree to get too dry.
• The rule of thumb for mature trees is about 20 gallons of water a day during the irrigation season.
• Seedlings will require quite a bit less water, of course.
• Check the soil before watering each time to make sure it has dried somewhat.

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