It is true that avocado seeds take a long time to germinate and develop shoots - but once the time has come, avocados are very vigorous plants. In order for them to thrive, they should be repotted regularly.
Spring is the best time
Basically, an avocado only needs to be repotted once a year. It is high time for a larger planter when the old pot is already completely filled with the root ball and there is hardly any soil left. The optimal time for repotting is spring, when the winter break is over and the plant is to be prepared for the summer season. You can also take the opportunity to cut back your avocado or cut off excess shoots.
What you need for repotting:
- a larger pot (preferably made of clay)
- fresh soil (ideally potting soil / peat mixture or palm soil)
- a pair of nail scissors / rose scissors
- a spray bottle
- stale, room-warm water for sprinkling
Properly repot the avocado
Carefully remove your avocado from the old pot, grasping the plant as low as possible by the stem. Remove the pot and lightly clean the root ball of old debris. Now you can place the root ball in the new pot that has already been prepared and fill it up with fresh soil. You can remove the remains of the core without worrying, as these are no longer important for the supply of the plant. Instead, cover your avocado with soil a little deeper to allow new roots to form. Then spray the soil and the leaves of the plant with water.
tips and tricks
Take the opportunity and prune your avocado before repotting. You can cut off the top and cut back longer, bald shoots. Your avocado will reward these efforts with bushier growth.