Seed Sprouting Tips: Germination Tips & Tricks

In nature, plants scatter hundreds of seeds, hoping just one or two will land in the perfect spot to grow into mature plants. Indoor gardening flips this idea – by giving seeds the right conditions to sprout and set root, almost every seed has a shot! In this blog, we'll explore what's happening during germination, share seed-sprouting tips for common edible plants (and when it might be better not to start from seed), and how to store seeds to keep them viable longer.

Most edible plants begin their journey by sprouting, and our Microgreens Starter Kit gives you the chance to germinate hundreds of seeds from various varieties in just a couple of weeks. You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can bring seeds to life! Once you master getting plants off to the best start, you can move on to more advanced gardening skills like thinning, pruning, pollinating, and ripening.

How Germination Works

Did you know that a seed already contains a tiny plant inside a protective shell? It's just in a deep sleep, waiting for the right conditions to "wake up." Germination is the process of awakening the plant, allowing it to break free from its shell and start growing. Depending on the plant, this can take anywhere from a few days to several months. While nature relies on seasonal changes to trigger germination, indoor gardening provides a consistent "springtime" environment, meaning all you need to do is provide the right triggers.

Tip #1 for Seeds that are Not Germinating: The Importance of Water

Germination begins when a seed is given water – it washes off inhibitors (compounds that keep the seed asleep), loosens the seed's outer layer so it can break open, and hydrates the stored food inside, fueling early growth. In the first few days, you'll notice seeds swell or develop a soft coating from the water they absorb – this is a great sign that things are on track. Just remember, seeds need moisture, not soaking. Too much water can drown them, so using germination domes over moist soil helps maintain the right balance of humid air and moisture.

Tip #2 for Seeds that are Not Germinating: The Role of Temperature

Seeds can germinate within a fairly broad temperature range, but most indoor edible plants sprout best at slightly above room temperature (70-80°F). Luckily, this is easy to achieve indoors using a germination dome, which traps heat along with humidity. Be mindful of potential challenges, like starting seeds near single-pane windows in winter or dealing with seeds that need specific temperature cycles (cold then warm) to sprout.

Tip #3 for Seeds that are Not Germinating: The Role of Light

While many seeds aren't too fussy about light and will sprout whether they're in the light or dark, some seeds (especially tiny ones) actually need light to germinate, while others prefer darkness. Always check the guidance on your seed packets, but a good rule of thumb is to plant seeds twice as deep as their height to ensure they receive the right amount of light.

Different Needs for Different Seeds: The Best Way to Start Each Plant

Nature is flexible, and we like to keep things simple, so most of the time we recommend direct sowing. However, there are cases where presoaking or just buying a live plant makes more sense. Here’s a rundown of different strategies and our recommendations for common indoor edible plants.

How to Direct Sow Seeds

Direct sowing means planting seeds directly where they will grow until harvest. While this can be challenging outdoors due to fluctuating soil moisture, indoor gardens with self-watering planters and germination domes create the ideal environment for seeds, leading to the healthiest, least disruptive start for your plants.

When to Pre-Soak Seeds

Soaking seeds for a few hours before sowing can give larger seeds a head start, shaving a few days off the germination time. Not all seeds benefit from this, so check your seed packets, and don’t soak seeds for more than 24 hours to avoid rotting.

Pre-Sprouting Tip: The Paper Towel Method

The paper towel method involves growing seeds to the sprout stage before carefully transplanting them. While this technique avoids some challenges of direct sowing outdoors, it’s unnecessary for indoor gardening, and plants generally do better without the disturbance of transplanting. Avoid pre-sprouting for plants with delicate taproots, like carrots and squash, as they don’t transplant well.

When to Purchase a Live Plant

Buying a live plant can be more convenient, but it can also introduce pests or diseases. For most plants, growing from seed is the way to go, but there are exceptions:

• Seeds with low germination rates (e.g., rosemary)
• Seeds that don't grow true to type (e.g., mint)
• Plants that take a long time to grow from seed (e.g., thyme)

When to Use Cuttings

Cuttings involve snipping a part of a live plant, placing it in water until roots develop, and then planting it. While not all plants take root easily with this method, it’s an efficient way to grow many plants from a single crop.

How to Store Your Seeds

Fresh, plump, recently harvested seeds stored correctly are your best bet for successful sprouting. Ideally, seeds should be stored in conditions opposite to their sprouting needs – cool and dry. For most homes, a drawer or closet works fine. If you want to keep seeds viable for longer, consider sealing them in a container in the fridge. Just be sure to let the container warm up for a few hours before opening to prevent condensation (aka moisture) on the seeds.

If you have more questions that we didn’t cover in this blog, join our Private Facebook Group, where a community of indoor gardeners is ready to help with your gardening dilemmas. We hope to see you there!