Avocado Pit Experiment: Grow a Plant!
If you’re looking for a fun science experiment and a new houseplant, avocados are the answer! While avocado pits may look useless, they are actually full of life. Nestled within the pit is a small embryo, waiting to be watered and cared for.
Your avocado plant will most likely not bear fruit, but not by any fault of your own. Avocado trees take years to grow, and there are no pollinators indoors. But, they are very cute and super easy to plant, making this a great experiment for kids of all ages. All you need is an avocado pit, water, and a few household supplies.
Supplies:
- Avocado pit
- Jar
- 4 toothpicks
- Pot
- Soil
Instructions:
Step one: Wash and dry the avocado pit.
Step two: Fill a jar almost to the brim with water.
Step three: Insert the toothpicks into the sides of the avocado pit. This will allow you to suspend the pit above the jar.
Step four: With the broad side down, place your avocado pit on the rim of the jar, balancing it on the toothpicks. The pit should be submerged about an inch.
Step five: Put the jar in an area that gets a lot of light. It should not get direct sunlight, though. Replenish the water as needed.
Step six: In about two to six weeks, the pit will sprout roots. If you don’t see any growth by eight weeks, start over with another pit.
Step seven: When the root is about three inches long, remove the pit from the jar and take out the toothpicks. Plant the pit in soil, leaving the top inch of the pit exposed. The plant stem will begin growing from there.
Step eight: Watch as your plant grows! Be sure to water it regularly.
Bring on the Science!
Germination is the process in which a seed comes out of dormancy. Germination begins with imbibition, which is just a fancy word for taking in water. The presence of water triggers the seed’s awakening, and it begins to produce enzymes. These enzymes break down the seed’s store of food, providing energy. Soon, a root emerges from the seed. Once the seed sprouts a shoot and leaves, photosynthesis begins.