Seed Germination

Different seeds like different types of treatment in order to germinate. Some are really picky and some aren't. If you have planted seeds that never "came up" it may not have been bad seed. Follow this guide to be sure you planted them right...


Seeds that need light to germinate


Achillea - Yarrow
Ageratum Houstonianum - Floss Flower
Agrostis nebulosa - Cloud Grass
Allyssum montanum - Basket of Gold
Anethum graveolens - Dill
Antirrhinum majus - Snapdragon
Arabis - Rock Cress, Wall Cress
Aguillegia - Columbine
Begonia - Begonia
Brassica Oleraccea Acephala - Flowering cabbage
Caiceolaria crenatiflora - Pocketbook Plant
Campanula - Bellflower
Capsicum annuum - Ornamental Pepper
Chrysanthemum Parthenium - Matricaria, Feverfew
Chrysanthemum X superbum - Shasta Daisy
Coffea arabica - Arabian Coffee Plant
Coleus X hybridus - Coleus
Coreopsis grandiflora - Tickseed
Cortaderia Selloana - Pampas Grass
Crossandra infundibuliformis - Crossandra
Cuphea ignea - Cigar Flower
Daucus Carota - Queen Anne's Lace
Dizygotheca elegantissima - False Aralia
Dombeya Burgessiae - Dombeya
Doronicum cordatum - Leopard's Bane
Exacum affine - German Violet, Persian Violet
Ficus - Fig
Fuchsia X hybrida - Fuschia
Gaillardia X grandiflora - Blanket Flower
Gerbera Jamesonii Hybrids - Transvaal Daisy
Gloxinia gymnostoma - Gloxinia
Grevillea robusta - Silk Oak
Helichrysum bracteatum - strawflower
Hesperis matronalis - Sweet Rocket
Impatiens Wallerana - Impatiens, Patient Plant
Justicia aurea - Kings Crown
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana- Kalanchoe
Lactuca Sativa- Lettuce
Lagerstroemia indica - Crape Myrtlettes
Leontopodium - Edelweiss
Lobularia maritima - Sweet Alyssum
Lychnis chalcedonica - Maltese Cross, Rose Campion
Matthiola - Stock
Molucella laevis - Bells of Ireland
Nicotiana alata - Flowering Tobacco
Papaver orientale - Oriental Poppy
Perilla fructescens - Beefsteak Plant
Petunia X Hybrida - Petunia
Physalis Alkekengi - Chinese Lantern
Platycodon grandiflorus - Balloon Flower
Primula (except Psinesis) - Primrose
Punica Granatum 'Nana" - Pomegranate
Reseda odorata - Mignonette
Saintpaulia ionantha - African Violet
Sanvitalia procumbens - Creeping Zinnia
Satureja - Savory
Sinningia - Sinningia
Smithiantha zebrina - Naegelia, Temple Bells
Solanum Pseudocapsicum - Jerusalem Cherry, Christmas Cherry
Streptocarpus - Cape Primrose
Salva - Salvia (red flowered varieties)
Tithonia rotundifolia - Mexican Sunflower
Venidium fastuosum - Monarch of the Veldt, Cape Daisy


Seeds that need darkness to germinate


Asparagus asparagoides - Smilax
Borago officinalis - Borage
Calendula officinalis - Pot Marigold
Catharanthus roseus - Periwinkle
Centaurea Cyanus - Bachelor's Button
Consolida ambigua - Larkspur
Coriandrum Sativum - Coriander
Cyclamen - Cyclamen
Cynoglossum amabile - Chinese forget me not
Delphinium - Delphinium
Foeniculum - Fennel
Gazania rigens - Treasure Flower
Lathyrus odoratus - Sweet Pea
Lonas annua - Golden Ageratum
Mesembryanthemum Chrystallinum - Ice Plant
Mimosa Pudica - Sensitive Plant
Mysosotis - Forget me not
Nemesia stumosa - Pouch Nemesia
Nertera granadensis - Bead Plant
Papaver - (except Oriental) - Poppy
Phlox - Phlox
Primula sinuata - Painted Toungue
Saponaria Ocymoides - Soapwort
Schizanthus X wisetonensis - Butterflyu Flower, Poor Man's Orchid
Trachymene coerulea - Blue Lace Flower
Trifolium procumbens - Shamrock
Tropaeolum majus - Nasturtium
Verbena - Vervain
Viola - Viola, violet, Pansey

Seeds that require Soaking before sowing

Abekniscgys escykebtys - Okra
Albizia distachya - Plume Acacia, Plume Albizia
Asparagus - Asparagus, Asparagus Fern, Smilax
Caesalpina Gilliesii - Poinciana
Camellia Sasanqua - Sasanqua Camellia
Camellia sinensis - Tea Plant
Canna X generalis - Canna
Cercis canadensis - Redbud
Chamaedora elegans - Bella Parlor Palm, Neanta Bella
Clitoria Ternata - Butterfly Pea
Coffea arabica - Arabian Coffee Plant
Coix Lacryma-Jobi - Job's Tears
Cucurbita Pepo var. ovifera - Yellow Flowered Gourds
Cytisus scoparius - Scotch Broom
Ensete ventricosum - Banana
Erythrina crista-galli - Cockspur Coral Tree
Freesia X Hybrida - Freesia
Grevillea robusta - Silk Oak
Hibiscus - Mallow
Ipomoea - Morning Glory (et al)
Laburnum anagyroides - Golden Chain
Lagenaria siceraria - White Flowered Gourds
Lathyrus latifolius - Perennial Pea
Lathyrus odoratus - Sweet Pea
Liriope Muscari - Lily Turf
Lupinus - Lupines
Merremia tuberosa - Woodrose
Mina lobata - Flag of Spain
Pastinaca sativa - Parsnips
Petroselinum crispum - Parsley
Pueraria lobata - Kudzu Vine
Sophora japonica 'Pendula' Japanese Pagoda Tree
Strelitzia reginae - Bird of Paradise
Thermopsis caroliniana - Caroline Lupine
Wisteria sinesis - Chinese Wisteria

Seeds that need Stratification before sowing (Cold Treatment)

Aconitrum Carmichaelii and hybrids - Monkshood
Allium species - Flowering Onion
Angelica Archangelica - Angelica
Aguilegia species and hybrids - Columbine
Brassica Oleracea Acerphala - Flowering Cabbage
Calluna vulgaris - Heather
Camellia sinesis - Tea Plant
Campsis radicans - Trumpet Vine, Trumpet Creeper
Cercis canadensis - Redbud
Clematis virginiana - Virgin's Bower
Cornus species - Dogwood
Cupressus sempervirens "stricata' Pyramidal Italian Cypress
Dicentra Spectabilis - Bleeding Heart
Dictamnus albus - Gas Plant
Dodecatheon Meadia - Shooting Star
Elaegnus angustifolius - Russian Olive
Franklinia Alatamaha - Franklin Tree
Gentiana species - Gentian
Ginkgo biloba - Madenhair tree
Helleborus niger - Christmas Rose
Hemerocallis hybrids - Daylily
Ilex Aguifolium - English Holly
Iris - Iris
Kalmia latifolia - Mountain Laurel
Lavandula angustifolia - Lavender
Lewisia rediviva- Bitter Root
Lillum (some species) Lily
Lobelia species - Lobelia (perennial) Machaeranthera tanacetifolia - Tahoka Daisy
Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia
Paeonia suffruticosa - Tree Peony
Phlox paniculata - Phlox (perennial)
picea species - Spruce ( most species)
Pinus Mugo - Swidss Mountain Pine
Primula species - Primrose
Rosa species - Rose Taxus baccata - English Yew
Trillium ovatum - Wake Robin
Trollius europaeus - Globeflower
Viburnum opulus - Roseum - Snowball Bush
Viola species - Viola, Violet, Pansy

Seeds that must be scarified before sowing (Nicked or Filed)

Albizia distachya - Plume albizia, Plume Acacia
Baptisia australis - Blue Wild Indigo, False Indigo
Canna X generalis - Canna
Cassia alata - Candle Bush
Clitoria Ternaa - Butterfly Pea
Coronilla varia - Crown Vetch
Hibiscus - Mallow
Ipomoea - Morning Glory (et al)
Laburnum anagyroides - Golden Chain
Lathyrus - Perennial and Sweet Pea
Lupinus - Lupines
Merremia tuberosa - Woodrose
Mina lobata - Flag of Spain
Pueraria lobata - Kudzu Vine
Sophora japonica 'Pendula' - Japanese Pagoda Tree
Thermopsis caroliniana - Carolina Lupine
Wisteria sinensis - Chinese Wisteria

Seeds that need cool temperature (55º) to Germinate

Acanthus mollis - Bear's Breech
Agrostis nebulosa - Cloud Grass
Alstroemeria aurantiaca hybrids - Peruvian Lily
Anaphalis margaritacea - Pearly Everlasting
Arenaria montana - Mountain Sandwort
Arnica montana - Mountain Arnica
Aubrieta detoidea - False Rock Cress, Purple Rock Cress
Bergenia cordifolia - Heart Leaf Bergenia
Briza Maxima - Quaking Grass
Chiastophyllum oppositifolium - Silver Crown
Cytisus scoparius - Broom
Dictamnus albus - Gas Plant
Erigernon - Midsummer Aster, Fleabane
Eschsholzia californica - California Poppy
Felicia amelloides - Blue Daisy
Fragaria Vesca - Strawberry
Globularia cordifolia - Blue Globe Daisy
Heuchera sanguinea - Coral Bells
Iberis sempervirens - Candytuft
Incarvillea Delavayi - Hardy Gloxinia
Ipomopsis rubra - Skyrocket
Laburnum anagyroides - Golden Chain
Lagurus ovatus - Hare's Tale Grass
Lathyrus latifolius - Perennial Pea
Lathyrus odoratus - Sweet Pea
Leontopodium - Edelweiss
Linaria maroccana - Toadflax
Matricaria recutia - Chamomile
Mentzelia Lindleyi - Blazing Star
Molucella laevis - Bells of Ireland
Nemophila Menziesii - Baby Blue Eyes
Papaver - Poppy
Penstemon - Beard Tongue, Husker Red
Phlox Drummondi - Annual Phlox
Picea Abies - Norway Spruce
Pittosporum Tovira - Japanese Pittosporum
Rhododendron - Azalea, Rhododendron
Rosa - Rose
Rosmarius officianlis - Rosemary
Sagina subulata - Pearlwort
Thymus - Thyme, Mother of Thyme
Yucca filamentosa - Adam's Needle

Seeds that should be sown as soon as possible (they are not long lived and should not be stored)

Angelica Archangelica - Angelica
Anthurium - Flamingo Flower
Asapragus - Asparagus Fern, Smilax
Chrysanthemum coccineum - Pyrethrum, Painted Daisy
Clivia - Kaffir Lily
Corynocarpus laevigata - New Zealand Laurel
Delphinium - Delphinium
Dimorphoteca sinuata - Cape Marigold
Franklinia Alatamaha - Franklin Tree
Geranium Sanguineum - Cranesbill
Gerbera - Transvaal Daisy
Ginkgo biloba - Maidenhair Tree
Kochia scoparia - Burning Bush
Lillium regale - Royal Lily
Livistona chinesis - Chinese Fan Palm
Magnolia grandiflora - Southern Magnolia
Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant, Cut Leaf Philodendron
Passiflora - Passion Flower, Purple Granadilla
Philodendron - Love Plant
Potentilla nepalensis - Cinquefoil
Salvia splendens - Scarlet Sage
Sophora japonica 'Pendula' - Japanese Pagoda Tree
Strelitzia reginae - Bird of Paradise

Hardy Annuals (Seeds that may be sown outdoors in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked and will not be affected by late spring frosts)

Agrostis nebulosa - Cloud Grass
Allium Ampeloprasum - Leek
Allium Cepa - Onion
Anethum graveolens -Dill
Anthriseus Cerefolium - Chervil
Arctotis - African Daisy
Beta vulgaris - Beet, Swiss Chard
Borago officinalis - Borage (mine reseeds!)
Briza maxima - Quaking Grass
Brassica - Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chinese Cabbage, Collards, Kale, kohlrabi, Mustard, Turnip
Centaurea Cyanus - Bachelor Buttons, Cornflower
Chenopodium Botrys - Ambrosia, Feather Geranium
Consolida Ambigua - Larkspur
Coriandrum sativum - Coriander
Cynoglossum amabile - Chinese forget-me-not
Daucus Carota - Carrot
Echium - Bugloss
Eruca vesicaria - Rocket
Eschscholzia californica - California Poppy
Felichia - Blue Daisy, Blue Marguerite
Gypsophilia - Baby's Breath
Helipterum roseum - Everlasting
Lactuca sativa - lettuce
Lepidium sativum - Garden Cress
Lobularia maritima - Sweet Alyssum
Macaeranthera tanacetifolia - TaHoka Daisy
Matricaria recutita - Chamomile
Mentzelia Lindleyi - Blazing Star
Molucella laevis - Bells-of-Ireland
Nemophila Menziesii - Baby Blue Eyes (mine reseed!!)
Nigella damascena - Love-in-a-mist (3rd year of not growning!!)
Origanum Majorana - Marjoram
Pastinaca sativa - Parsnips
Phlox Drummondi - Annual Phlox
Pisum sativum - Pea
Raphanus sativus - Radish
Reseda odorata- Mignonette
Spinacia oleracea - Spinach
Xanthisma texanum - Star of Texas

Seedlings that resent transplanting (Sow seeds where they are to grow or in individual peat pots)

Anethum graveolens - Dill
Anthiscus Cerefolium - Chervil
Borage officinalis - Borage
Carum Cervi - Caraway
Coriandrum sativum - Coriander
Cucumis Melo - Melons
Cucumis sativus - Cucumbers
Eschscholtzia californica - California Poppy
Foeniculum - Fennel
Ipomoea - Cardinal climber, cypress vine
Ipomopsis rubra - Skyrocket, Standing Cypress
Lavetera - Tree Mallow
Linum - Flax
Lupinus - Lupines
Papaver - Poppy
Perilla frutescens - Beefsteak Plant
Petroselinum crispum - Parsley
Phlox Drummondi - Annual Phlox
Pimpinella Anisum - Anise
Reseda odorata - Mignonette
Sanvitalia procumbens - creeping Zinnia
Sesamum indicum - Sesame
Trachymene coerulea - Blue Lace Flower
Tropaeolum majus - nasturtium
Verbesina encelioides - Butter Daisy
Xeranthemum annuum - Immortelle
Zea Mays - Corn

Please note: there are several seeds on more than one of these lists at the same time. These picky guys can be worth it and then take care of themselves once you get them going!! ;)

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