Free Persea Americana Plants

Although it is rarely available to buy as a plant, the Persea can be grown from the stone found inside the Avocado fruit. The stone can either be planted in seed and cutting compost or suspended over a tumbler of water with the broadest part just in contact with the surface of the water. Various methods can be employed to support the stone, such as matchsticks pushed into the skin, or looped wire, and many kitchen windowsills are often occupied by the experiment. Germination is perhaps more interesting than subsequent growth, as the Persea has a rather spindly habit and takes up a fair amount ofspace, as might be expected of a plant which in its natural environment grows to tree size.

Plant type : Foliage plant with erect habit
Season of interest : All year round
Size : 100-200cm (39—78in)
Flower : Usually none as houseplant
Leaf : Oval, 7.5-12.5cm (3—5in) long, 5-7.5cm (2—3in) wide, green
Temperature : 18-21°C (64 — 70°F)
Aspect/Light : Well-lit situation with sunlight
Humidity : Moderate
Watering : Evenly moisten compost in spring and summer; keep on drier side when dormant in autumn and winter
Feeding : Once every two to three weeks with houseplant fertilizer in spring and summer
Propagation : From Avocado Pear stone suspended over water or planted, with one third of stone exposed, in seed and cutting compost at 21 °C (70°F)
Potting : Houseplant potting compost
Problems : Mealy bug, scale insect, premature lower leaf loss from over-watering
Availability : Rarely commercially available as plant; usually grown from Avocado Pear stone
Uses indoors : Floor standing specimen in well-lit position in lounge or heated conservatory