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I have an avocado plant indoors that is seven feet tall, and that has never been pruned. The top two feet which have most of the growth are now bending over. The ceiling is at nine feet, and the plant must be cut back.

How much can I cut it back to reduce its height?

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    Ralph, please send a picture!! Need to see what the photosynthetic growth/leaves look like. Definitely needs more light and that is why your plant is bending over, looking for light as it has just discovered there is little light above the window. What is the lighting/window situation? You should be able to cut back at least 2 feet (1/3 mass max) just above a healthy leaf. Start occasionally rotating your plant and I would suggest a decent grow light to help increase light and lengthen daylight hours. Avocado plants take a lot of work..and are TROPICAL. And thrive on sun. Send pictures!
    – stormy
    Mar 13, 2017 at 19:52
  • Will you be able to move it to an area of higher light levels?
    – J. Musser
    Mar 20, 2017 at 15:39
  • no that is best spot- not sure exactly where to cut it?
    – ralph
    Mar 21, 2017 at 16:09

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You're plant is healthy, but growing long and lanky because of low light levels, and still air. Plants that grow in windy areas will have a sturdier build as the same species grown in still air. I would head it back, similarly to what is shown below (marked in red). Cut the stem about 1/4 inch away from a healthy leaf/bud. That's where the plant will regrow from.

Avocados are large plants and containing them like that forever is not healthy. For now, though, it should be beneficial as it will encourage the trunk to grow in diameter as new top growth is produced. I would cut it back in mid to late spring, so the new growth can get the most sunlight possible.

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