Hi There,

Neighbor across the street left these beautiful/healthy looking plants outside for free. Can anyone identify these plant species please?

It could be a Money Tree:

Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

Kind of looks like an Avocado. Leaves don't look right to be a Pachira aquatica - Pachira has palmate leaves doesn't it?

Hi DrGreenThumb! to All Things Plants!

Are these two different plants? You didn't mention what area you are from or climate conditions. Do you by chance know if these plants were grown outdoors year round or as inside house plants? It's difficult to tell from the size of the photos and they don't enlarge when I click on them but the plant in photo #1 doesn't look right for Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

The leaves of the plant in photo #2 do resemble those of Avocado (Persea americana) but the leaves also remind me a bit of Loquat (Rhaphiolepis bibas) ... but I must admit, my eyes aren't what they used to be.

plantladylin said:Hi DrGreenThumb! to All Things Plants!

Are these two different plants? You didn't mention what area you are from or climate conditions. Do you by chance know if these plants were grown outdoors year round or as inside house plants? It's difficult to tell from the size of the photos and they don't enlarge when I click on them but the plant in photo #1 doesn't look right for Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)

The leaves of the plant in photo #2 do resemble those of Avocado (Persea americana) but the leaves also remind me a bit of Loquat (Rhaphiolepis bibas) ... but I must admit, my eyes aren't what they used to be.

So far i have been able to confirm that #2 is in fact an avocado plant. I live in Los Angeles and the neighbor literally left it outside for people to take so i have no idea whether it was grown indoors or out. Someone else told me that it looks like its planted form a seed meaning it won't yield any fruit? ALso, both plants have a wooden stick for support. What do yall recommend i do? keep it indoors or take it out to the patio

The leaves on your first pic resemble the Prunus Genus...

https://www.google.com/search?...

Maybe a peach variety?

https://www.google.com/search?...

I'd think an Avocado tree would need a lot of sun to thrive so outdoors would be best.

plantladylin said:I'd think an Avocado tree would need a lot of sun to thrive so outdoors would be best.

How often should I water it? I have damn near killed a baby fig tree already by leaving it outside

I wish I could give you some good advice regarding watering a potted Avocado but I really don't know. I've never grown one myself.

Perhaps these will be of use.

http://www.gardeningknowhow.co...

http://uccemg.com/Edible_Plant...

http://www.crfg.org/pubs/ff/av...

If your location in Los Angeles is more inland, I would suggest you grow it indoors by the sunniest window that you have, preferably south facing window. Inland areas like where I live tend to be too hot and dry in summer and much colder during winter. Or you can still grow it outdoors but find some part shade when the hottest time of the day comes during summer, and you got to step up your watering, since Cali is just like that in summer bone dry. Then in winter, if grown outdoors, position it to the sunniest side of your garden. But you may have to provide some winter cold protection, if your temps dip lower than 45F.

If you live more towards the south or east, it can stay outdoors. Check your temps. It is warmer in SoCal than here in my area, during winter. If you are nearer the ocean, you can grow it outdoors but try to find the sunniest side of your garden, I know at times it gets some marine layer there.

Watering-wise, if you are keeping it as a container plant, water thoroughly and allow to drain and approach dryness, before watering again. You may have to adjust watering as our seasons change, and water a bit more often when the warmer and drier season returns. For now, our weather is a bit cooler and thankfully we are getting some bit of rain, so you have to adjust your watering, so the soil is not too water logged.

tarev said:If your location in Los Angeles is more inland, I would suggest you grow it indoors by the sunniest window that you have, preferably south facing window. Inland areas like where I live tend to be too hot and dry in summer and much colder during winter. Or you can still grow it outdoors but find some part shade when the hottest time of the day comes during summer, and you got to step up your watering, since Cali is just like that in summer bone dry. Then in winter, if grown outdoors, position it to the sunniest side of your garden. But you may have to provide some winter cold protection, if your temps dip lower than 45F.

If you live more towards the south or east, it can stay outdoors. Check your temps. It is warmer in SoCal than here in my area, during winter. If you are nearer the ocean, you can grow it outdoors but try to find the sunniest side of your garden, I know at times it gets some marine layer there.

Watering-wise, if you are keeping it as a container plant, water thoroughly and allow to drain and approach dryness, before watering again. You may have to adjust watering as our seasons change, and water a bit more often when the warmer and drier season returns. For now, our weather is a bit cooler and thankfully we are getting some bit of rain, so you have to adjust your watering, so the soil is not too water logged.

Thanks for you feedback. I actually have a patio (not the biggest) but it gets decent amount of sun. It faces east and i live near the ocean (West LA). think i should keep it outside that being said?

Yup, West LA area should be good to bring it outside, as full sun as it can get. Fruit trees love all the direct sun it can get. At least you are nearer the ocean, so the marine layer will help in the humidity for the leaves of the avocado.

The Avocado leaves can be used like Bay leaf. A leaf or two tossed in sauces or soups. I always put Avocado leaf if cooking Mexican. Good for Chili, Pozole, Salza, Guacamole. Start by adding Avocado leaf (whole) in recipes. After simmering the recipe for several hours, remove the Avocado leaf.