Avocado Care Guide

Avocados are easy to grow from seed and are a lot fun. They are worth having in your collection, but they are not ideal for bonsai, but are easy enough to care for.

You can find out more about their suitability as bonsai in – Can You Bonsai An Avocado?

I own an avocado tree that I started from seed. I am not really treating it like a bonsai, but I am trying to keep it slightly smaller than it wants to be. You can follow its development in my Avocado Tree Progression.

What Is The Natural Habitat of An Avocado Tree?

Avocados originate from south Central Mexico. However, as they produce such a delicious fruit they are now cultivated in other tropical and Mediterranean type climates by farmers all over the world.

What Soil Do Avocado Trees Need?

Avocadoe trees need a very well draining soil. They really do not like to be too wet so the soil must be able to drain quickly.

I just use my standard mix of Perlite/Molar Clay/ Compost and my tee has been more than happy with this.

(For more info on soil read – A General Guide To Bonsai Soil)

How Do You Water An Avocado Bonsai?

Although avocado trees do not like to have their roots sat in water, but they can actually drink a lot when they are growing.

This means you can water them often during the growing season, but you also want to make sure that they are not sat in extra water. This is exactly why you need to use good free draining soil, then you can water them a lot without any issues.

You can let the tree dry out slightly before watering again, but I would not let it get too dry, for too long. 

In winter when the growth slows down you will need to water less frequently to make sure you do not overwater the roots and cause them rot.

(For more info you can read –How To Water A Bonsai)

How Much Sun Light Does An Avocado Bonsai Need?

Coming from Central Mexico, avocado trees really like the sun. The more light you can give to them the better they will grow. 

If you live in an area that does not get as much sunlight as a tropical area you should aim to keep your avocado in full sun and also consider a grow light if you are living in a very dark northern climate.

I do grow mine under a grow light and the difference in growth levels is noticeable. When I was just using natural sun light, it grew much slower.    

How Hardy Are Avocado Bonsai?

Avocadoe trees are not hardy. Since they are from tropical climates they should not be allowed to get too cold. Frost will kill them.

I would not let your avocado tree experience temperatures under 10°C (50°F). If they are outside they will need protection from cold, most likely by being brought inside, or at least put in a greenhouse over winter. Avocados are tropical trees and are not suited for cold winters.

I just keep mine inside all year round so that I know it is safe

(For more info you can read – Working Out How To Over Winter Bonsai Trees)

How Often Do You Feed An Avocado Bonsai?

I feed my avocado tree a general purpose fertiliser once a month during the growing season. 

(For more info you can read – Do You Need To Use “Bonsai” Fertiliser?)

How Do Avocado Bonsai Respond to Pruning?

Avocadoe trees can be pruned, but they can be a little temperamental at times.

I have found that they will back bud where you cut them. However, the number of new shoots that actually develop is not reliable and I have also found that branches will die back where I have cut, so pruning can be quite hit or miss at times.

They also seem to send out a lot of new buds all over the tree when you prune them, but unfortunately only a few of these will actually develop into shoots and last long term. It seems that even though they send out a lot of buds, only a few of them get enough energy to grow, and the rest of the new buds die.

(For more info you can read- How To Prune A Bonsai Tree)

Repotting An Avocado Bonsai

I would be careful when repotting an avocado tree. I have found that they can handle root pruning, but not to extreme levels. They are quite sensitive.

Every time I have repotted my tree, it has sulked for a long time afterwards. I would try and wait as long as possible to repot. I believe I have been repotting around every 3 years and I have been trying to be as cautious as I can with how much I remove.

(For more info you can read – How To Repot A Bonsai Tree)

Wiring An Avocado Bonsai

Avocado trees grow long straight branches and also can have large gaps between internodes. They can be wired, but really you need to do this when the shoots are young. They will very quickly thicken up and no longer be bendable.

(For more info read – Why Do We Wire Bonsai?)

What Is The Leaf Pattern Of An Avocado Bonsai?

The leaves on avocado trees can be huge. Even in a small pot mine are very large at times. I have found that they do reduce when you prune often, but even these leaves are huge when compared to other more suitable bonsai species. 

They grow in an alternate pattern along the branch. They are also ever green, so will remain on the tree all year round.

What Pests Does An Avocado Bonsai Suffer From?

The biggest pest to an avocado tree will be you, over watering. Root rot is likely to be the biggest issue you might face.

They can also be attacked by aphids and scale.

I am sure there are many more insects that can cause them trouble in their natural environment, however, I am growing mine inside and  far away from the tropics, so I have not had any real trouble. 

Can You Propagate An Avocado Bonsai?

You can easily grow avocado trees from seed, you just need to put one end of the seed in water and it will root. It can take a while to root, but it will do it.

I have heard that you can take branch cuttings and place them in water and they will root too. I have not actually seen anyone do this and I have not tried it myself, so I cannot confirm if this will work.

Most commercial avocados are graphed to ensure the fruit is the same across the tree, so this makes me think there is a high possibility that a cutting will root. 

What Is The Growth Rate Of An Avocado Elm Bonsai?

Avocado trees are okay growers. The more light you can give them, the faster they will grow. I have mine under a grow light and it is quite fast. However the growth is large and not good for bonsai, but they can be grown as full size trees quite easily.

Should You Get An Avocado Bonsai?

I would probably say that avocado trees are not ideal for bonsai, but I would certainly recommend them to anyone interested in growing trees in general.

They are easily grown from seed and it is fun to watch them grow.  They can be kept inside, but really need as much light as possible. They are easy to look after it and fun to own, it is just a shame they are absolutely terrible for bonsai and do not really respond to well to bonsai techniques.