I read about growing avocado seeds into trees from 1999. The advice was to pinch back the seedling to 6-8 inches when it reached 12 inches. Right now I have one plant which has reached about 12 inches and has 3-4 healthy leaves on the top. How do I pinch it back? Cut it at 8 inches? pinch leaves off? What is the best way to do this? The last one I had just died after it had reached about 18 inches.

Hi Emily,

Avocado plants that are grown indoors tend to grow rather tall and spindly. They do not branch unless they are pinched or cut back.

To pinch back, simple pinch out the newest pair of leaves as they emerge. Usually this is sufficient to cause the plant to send out two branches at the pinch-point. After those become longer, they can also be pinched so that they branch out.

BTW, you cannot pinch a 12 inch stem back to 6 inches. That is pruning, not pinching.

To help your avocado develop sturdier stems, provide as much light as possible.