Twelve Plant Species That Aren't Recommended for Germination from Seeds
Dabbling in gardening can be a thrilling journey, but not all plants play ball when it comes to growing from seeds. Here's a lowdown on several plants you're better off skipping in your seed sowing spree:
Anise
Anise, a flavorful herb used in desserts and drinks, takes a whopping 3-5 years to grow from seed, making it a no-go for immediate gratification. Opt for purchasing a young plant instead.
Asparagus Fern
Asparagus fern seeds can be a real hassle, with erratic germination that may take over six weeks. If you already have one in your garden, propagate by division for a stress-free approach.
Coneflowers
Coneflowers demand a cold stratification phase, which involves subjecting seeds to cool temperatures and moisture for 60 to 90 days. This process can be intricate and time-consuming, leaving many home gardeners in the lurch.
Clivia
Clivia is an expensive choice for seed-grown plants, with each seed costing $12 and requiring several months to germinate. Purchasing a sizable plant may be a more practical approach, followed by propagation via division for additional plants.
Fruit Trees
Growing fruit trees from seeds may lead to disappointment, as many produce fruit slowly and don't resemble their parent plants. Opt for grafted trees for faster results.
Onions
Onions are a tricky bunch when it comes to seeds, as they require precise placement and light conditions. Planting sets or transplants might be a more efficient approach.
Ramps
Ramps, a type of wild allium, are often foraged rather than cultivated due to their complex seed dormancy. Propagation via division is a more reliable approach.
Rosemary
Rosemary seeds notorious for poor germination and irregular growth. Opt for purchasing young plants or taking root cuttings instead.
Sedum
Sedum is a hardy genus from the succulent family, and they're better grown from cuttings of established plants, as they're slow to grow from seeds.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons demand cold stratification or seed satisfaction, factors that may necessitate tricky indoor or refrigerator conditions, depending on your location. Buying transplants may be a more straightforward approach if you're seeking a quicker solution.
Tuberous Begonias
Tuberous begonias require a lengthy germination period and growth process, making them an ambitious choice for seed-growing enthusiasts. Established plants or tuber division can offer more predictable results.
Tulips
Tulips can be grown from seeds, but propagating from bulbs is simpler and yields the flowers you expect. Bulb propagation is a clonal method, ensuring that the tulip grown from a bulb will be a genetic duplicate of the plant that produced the bulb.
- For a smoother gardening experience, consider foregoing seed sowing for snapdragons, as they require cold stratification or precise indoor conditions, potentially making transplants a more practical choice.
- Caring for your garden can be a rewarding lifestyle, but aspects like germination, especially with plants like anise, which take years to grow from seed, demand patience and careful planning.
- Gardening ideas often focus on instant gratification, but growing certain plants from seeds, such as asparagus fern and clivia, can be costly and time-consuming, warranting a rethink.
- Home-and-garden enthusiasts might find gardening tools beneficial when dealing with finicky plants like coneflowers, rosemary, and sedum, which have notoriously poor germination or slow growth from seeds.
- If you're seeking a more practical approach to gardening, investigating gardening ideas that involve purchasing young plants, like fruit trees and onions, can provide a quicker solution for those short on time.
- Tuberous begonias pose a challenge for seed-growing enthusiasts, as they require a lengthy germination period, making bulb propagation a more predictable and accessible method for these vivid, tropical blooms.
