It is easy to grow an avocado house plant by rooting the stone of a shop-bought avocado pear. It’s a bit of fun too…
![Avocado 1](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vxYmUy4KoEaFpcA18uuLj1dY29_MkAtlbjE6sS7zJLSb1aVqMYAWLlNUI2FytswQO-QB9HAtEYISLmUXHupsSc8oQfAUx8IQO7Q4__i7QzvtuS3Z3TxXddt07NNSIWj8j-Zcu0p0G3Z8l1=s0-d)
1) Holding the stone (often referred to as a ‘pit’) with its narrow- or pointed-side up, stick four toothpicks into the middle section at even intervals. They should go in to the stone to a depth of about ¼in (6mm).
![Avocado 2](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vBQOTLC3ZMncRBUXdsbzKkEfFVWvek7jooCpJuljKSzuuVS1jvnFJfwF8pGI7precIznQYBjk1avjwT_aKlV76onwJGBJ-RLIfiudbGEXIbiUzgw2fddpxWcJMcUEYPpEvIhxoFgaQ_p-ojg=s0-d)
2) Add water to a small glass until it reaches the rim. Sit your avocado stone over the glass; the toothpicks should sit on the rim of the glass, leaving the rounded base of the stone under in the water. Put on a north-facing windowsill.
![Avocado 3](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_v1MtyvE7d8QP1okVmZeoDLXs4Ajzf_pYTzp5Uj4PuwGxlPGfAdksamLYUs9IJ5gBtVH-uF8T259y80jiXFSer_NSuBVeTHHkI7kfJ6hQq28MNVRVylnnvhP1T7Sz2buHOXY1i7VB0a6MuA=s0-d)
3) Change the water every other day so that the base of the stone is always submerged in clean water (otherwise the rooting process is hindered). After 3-4 weeks, a tap root should emerge, followed by other fibrous roots.
![Avocado 4](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_t7qWnCuJQ8Whogxsxz89a_sy5deN4ZRm36quYmTa3bQkM1iu26PcezgKUSQv8s1k_MNI0He5Kcrp4RmX_az76TtH1Gdq3awf51DktnvuUF5UCUuFWLi13eM6zoyudvFYsqOPSJFo6SvOA1=s0-d)
4)Soon, the avocado will sprout at the top, with one or two leaves. Remove it from the glass, and gently take out each toothpick. Use a small pot filled with houseplant compost. Bed in the roots and half-bury the stone. Firm it in.
![Avocado 5](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vAslabqNQYSyI9-LlbsRfsxC-gFezKZPd9txXhdlNBLQzuLXCjhpWaXtglZfmULHbnz0Vqkv0vTGRfeBIVCMZAoyZxEMVXrGLu6Z079Id-JyJGXb2t_ABc2Rh2oS6mFONFlyTasDNBXrc4IQ=s0-d)
5) Place the avocado back on the windowsill. Water enough to keep the soil moist: if leaves turn brown at the tips the plant needs more water; if they turn yellow it is getting too much water and needs to dry out for a day or two.