How to Start Indoor Houseplants from Seed: A Step-by-Step Guide
Growing houseplants from seed is a rewarding experience, and it’s easier than you might think. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy beautiful, healthy houseplants that you’ve grown yourself.
Where to Get the Best Indoor Houseplant Seeds
Finding indoor houseplant seeds can be a bit more challenging than finding seeds for outdoor plants like carrots or radishes. The best place to find indoor plant seeds is online or through a mail order catalog. There are many specialty plant sellers who deal in indoor houseplant seeds, and of course there’s Amazon and Etsy. Social media is also a great place to find indoor houseplant seeds.
Best Houseplants to Start from Seeds
Not all houseplants are equally easy to grow from seed. Some of the best houseplants for beginners include:
- Cat grass
- Cactus
- Living stone
- Peace lily
- African violet
- English ivy
- Asparagus fern
- Gloxinia
- Coleus
- Herbs
These houseplants are all relatively easy to care for, and they germinate and grow quickly.
How to Start Indoor Houseplant Seeds
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Gather your materials. You will need:
- Indoor houseplant seeds
- A container with drainage holes
- Lightweight soilless medium
- A spray bottle
- A warm, sunny spot
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Fill the container with soil. Fill the container with lightweight soilless medium and water it well, allowing the excess water to drain out the drainage holes.
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Plant the seeds. Sow the seeds three times deeper than their diameter. Many indoor houseplant seeds are so tiny that they don’t really even need to be covered.
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Keep the soil moist. Keep the soil moist with a spray bottle. Place the container in a warm, sunny spot out of direct sunlight.
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Be patient. Germination times vary depending on the cultivar, but it will generally take anywhere from 2-12 weeks for the seeds to germinate.
Troubleshooting
If your seeds don’t germinate, there are a few things you can check:
- Make sure the seeds are fresh. Indoor houseplant seeds do not store well and should be used immediately.
- Make sure the soil is moist. The soil should be moist but not soggy.
- Make sure the temperature is warm enough. Most indoor houseplant seeds germinate best at temperatures between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Make sure the seeds are getting enough light. Place the container in a warm, sunny spot out of direct sunlight.
With a little care and attention, you can easily grow beautiful, healthy houseplants from seed. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!
