The Ultimate White Elephant Gift of 2021 // Avocado-Growing Vase
Avocado Vase
We’re joking that the Avocado Vase is the ultimate white elephant gift of 2021.
The idea is great – save your avocado pit, and grow an avocado tree.
If you eat avocados, you probably like them and would love to have your own source. Me, too!
The Real Story
I opened the box, filled the gorgeous thin artsy vase with water, popped the seed in the top section, hung it from a wood display stand I made, and settled down to read the instructions.
There’s a bit more to it than the previous system of filling a custard cup with water, inserting toothpicks into an avocado pit and waiting.
Get Ready to Wait
According to the instructions, first you will need to soak your avocado seeds in tepid water for 48 hours. I did this with six pits in case some didn’t “take.”
Next, the seeds should be wrapped in damp cloth, placed in a bag, and allowed to develop roots for two weeks.
Then you can transfer the plant into the vase. Apparently, it takes 14 to 18 weeks to develop a bit of roots and a trunk with a few leaves like the one shown below.
The Ilex Vase
The Ilex Vase is like a work of art! It features specially-designed borosilicate glass that acts as a magnifying glass so you can see the roots develop.
The vase comes with a 35-page handbook that is chock full of interesting artwork, tips, information, and instructions about avocados.
All three types of commonly-found avocados are described in detail.
Bill presented me with the Ilex Vase from Huckberry for Christmas. It’s beautiful!
Dupe for the Ilex Vase
For about half the price, the Kinto – Aqua Culture Vase Small is a good stand-in choice, as is the Kinto Aqua Culture Vase – Large.
It is shaped for holding avocado seeds or even bulbs such as hyacinth. There are two pieces, and you can change the water without touching the plant.
Since I prefer glass vases, although there are plenty of very inexpensive plastic varieties of avocado vases, these are more attractive.
Comparison
I read that someone was growing their sansevieria full hydro in the Kinto – Aqua Culture Vase Small version.
These vases are incredibly thin, so don’t be surprised if you receive a broken on. Amazon is fantastic about quickly replacing items.
To the right, the far left vase is the large grey color Kinto vase and the other two are clear. Also available is blue Kinto in the small version.
Updated February 11. 2021
