Avocado Tree
In stock
Avocados or 'Persea americana' originated in the Central Americas, and your plant has been especially bred to grow well in northern Europe. Unlike plants grown from avocado pits these trees are self-fertile and in time will produce flowers and even fruits with the right conditions. Keep yours in a conservatory or greenhouse out of direct sunlight over the winter, and a sheltered spot on a patio in the summer, and they will do very well.
NEW for 2024, these are strong young plants nearly a metre tall and looking fantastic. They have bred for fruit production for the home gardener. We are hopeful that under the right conditions they will flower and fruit in due course and are looking forward to growing our own avocados too.
These are the classic Persea americana avocado rather than being a named cultivar but we are delighted to see the first signs of flowering on some of the batch and they are looking very much as pictured with a strong shape and a fresh flush of new season growth. Please note avocados are a specialist plant and whilst a lot of fun to grow are best gifted to more experienced gardeners.
These instructions are sent with the plant gift
Avocados or 'Persea americana' originated in the Central Americas. Your plant is a grafted variety especially bred to grow well in northern Europe and so is much more likely to fruit than trees grown from avocado pits. These trees are self-fertile and in time will produce flowers and even fruits with the right conditions.
Avocado plants like lots of bright, but indirect sunlight. A spot in front of a patio door will bring the best results or beneath a large skylight is also good. Once the outdoor temperatures are guaranteed to be above 10 °C your plant will be happy in a sheltered spot in the garden. Avocado plants are very sensitive to frost, and so bring your plant back inside at the end of the summer, or keep it in a heated greenhouse or conservatory, wrapping sacking around the pot to protect the roots.
Whilst your plant is inside, do keep it away from operating radiators or underfloor heating. If the air is too dry the tips of the leaves will start to brown. If in doubt you can use a pebble tray to regulate the moisture around the plant. This will have the added benefit of stopping the soil drying out too quickly.
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged and allow the top third of the compost to dry out in between waterings. It is very important not to overwater them. If the pot feels lighter when lifted, compared to when you last watered it, and the top third of the compost feels dry, it is time to water your plant. This will be much less often in the autumn and winter.
Your avocado plant will benefit from a regular feed to keep it healthy. Add a regular houseplant feed, once a fortnight in the summer. This can be reduced to once every 5 or 6 waterings to in the autumn and winter while the plant is dormant.
Avocados can grow tall and leggy if left unchecked. These plants have already had a spring trim, but from next year onwards, it can be beneficial to give it a trim each spring to encourage it to bush out – simply cut the stems just above a growth node.
If the roots are visible at the bottom of the pot, it would be worth repotting your plant, but wait until mid-spring to do this. Use a pot one size bigger only, with drainage holes and very well-draining soil.
Problem Solving
Crispy leaves wilted or yellowing foliage are all signs of underwatering. Yellowing or browning leaves and / or stunted growth indicate the soil has been too moist. Increase or decrease the watering frequency as applicable and your plant should pick up quickly. Affected leaves will not recover and so it is best to remove these.
Leggy growth is caused when the plant is not receiving enough light. Move it to a spot that receives bright but indirect light.
Brown and / or scorched new growth indicates over-exposure to the direct sunlight. Funnily enough even in South America these plants do best in slightly shaded spots, and so if you find these move it somewhere with bright light, but out of direct sunlight.
Dull, yellowed leaves could be the sign of a nutrient deficiency, and so start feeding your plant more often.
NOTE: The roots, stems & leaves are classified as slightly poisonous, but only if eaten in large quantities. This will cause stomach cramps and occasionally lead to vomiting. The avocados themselves are safe to eat!
