Stop Throwing Out Avocado Pits—Here’s 4 Brilliant Ways to Use Them

Avocados are a kitchen staple, beloved for their creamy flesh and healthy fats. But once you’ve scooped out the green goodness, don’t toss that pit!

These hardy seeds are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and surprising versatility. From DIY skincare to zero-waste gardening, here are four clever ways to transform avocado pits from trash to treasure.

1. Grow Your Own Avocado Tree 🌱

Yes, it’s possible! While it takes patience (and a green thumb), sprouting an avocado pit is a fun project.

• How to do it:
  1. Wash the pit and pierce it with 3-4 toothpicks around its midsection.
  2. Suspend it over a glass of water (pointed end up, flat end submerged).
  3. Place in a sunny spot, changing the water weekly. Roots and a stem will sprout in 2-6 weeks.
  4. Once the stem is 6 inches tall, plant it in soil.

While your tree might not bear fruit for years (or ever, without grafting), it makes a charming houseplant.

2. Make Natural Pink Dye 🎨

Avocado pits contain tannins that produce a soft pink or rose-gold hue—perfect for dyeing fabrics, Easter eggs, or paper.

• Simple dye recipe:
  1. Collect 4-5 pits and simmer them in 2 cups of water for 30 minutes.
  2. Strain the liquid, then add your fabric or eggs to the pot.
  3. Soak for 1+ hours (longer = deeper color).
  4. For fabric, fix the dye with a vinegar soak (1 part vinegar to 4 parts water).

The result? A delicate, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.

3. Whip Up a DIY Exfoliating Scrub ✨

Avocado pits are rich in antioxidants and can be ground into a gentle exfoliant for skin.

• Steps:
  1. Dry the pit for 2-3 days, then grate or blend it into a coarse powder (a high-speed blender works best).
  2. Mix 1 tbsp of powder with 1 tbsp honey, yogurt, or coconut oil.
  3. Gently massage onto damp skin, then rinse.

The gritty texture sloughs off dead skin cells, while the antioxidants help fight inflammation.

4. Brew a Nutrient-Rich “Tea” for Plants 🌿

Avocado pits release potassium, calcium, and magnesium when boiled—a nutrient boost for houseplants or gardens.

• Plant tea how-to:
  1. Chop 1-2 pits into small pieces (or grind them).
  2. Simmer in 4 cups of water for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Cool, strain, and use the liquid to water plants.

Note: The boiled pits can still be composted afterward!

Bonus Tip: Compost Them (Eventually)

While avocado pits take forever to break down (6-12 months!), they’re still compostable. Speed up the process by chopping or grinding them before adding to your bin.

Next time you make guacamole or avocado toast, save that pit. Whether you’re crafting, gardening, or pampering yourself, these humble seeds are proof that one person’s trash is another’s creamy, pink-dyed, exfoliating treasure. 🌟