Helpful information
Timing: Varies by plant (see below for timings by plant)
Where to do it: Outdoors
Garden space: Large garden, small garden, allotment, greenhouse, balcony
Timing: Varies by plant (see below for timings by plant)
Where to do it: Outdoors
Garden space: Large garden, small garden, allotment, greenhouse, balcony
With gardening, the word 'propagation' means the process of reproducing or multiplying plants using existing ones. Once you start trying it, propagation is a really magical way to get extra plants in your garden for free. It's also a great way to create more plants to gift!
There are a number of ways plants can be propagated. These include:
In this guide, we look at how to save seeds from a number of popular plants in the garden.
There are good reasons to try saving seeds from your plants:
Growing from seed costs a lot less than larger plants. Seeds can quickly establish into the plants you would be paying a lot more for in garden stores.
Scott, Gardening Club member
These are some of the more popular plants to save seeds from, in A to Z order.
Some seeds are small and a bit fiddly. If you have any challenges with dexterity and grip, you may prefer saving seeds from plants with larger seeds, such as sunflowers and peas.
Chillies
Timing: Once the individual chilli pod is ripe (or a bit over-ripe). Generally mid-summer into autumn
To save seeds from chilli peppers, you need to extract them from inside the fruit.
Propagation was my initial interest in gardening. I'm very keen on growing chillies.
Shalini, home gardener
Chives
Timing: After flowering, once seed heads have developed. Generally in early summer
Chive flowers produce masses of tiny seeds. These dry quickly on the plant. To save seeds:
Cosmos
Timing: Once petals have fallen off and seed heads have developed. Generally from late summer into early autumn.
Because Cosmos are annuals (i.e. they only last one year), savings seeds is a great way to get your supply for next year for free. To save seeds:
Lettuce
Timing: Once the plant has gone to seed / bolted. Can be done most of the year round
When you see a lettuce that has gone to seed, it can be a bit disappointing as that's the end of its time providing food. It is, however, a great opportunity to save seed from the plant. To do this:
Some varieties of lettuce cross-pollinate. This means if you are growing multiple varieties and save seeds, you might not know exactly what you are saving. You could keep varieties you are saving seeds from a good distance (8 metres or more) from other varieties.
Peas
Timing: Once the pea pod has turned brown and dried out on the plant. Generally early summer into autumn
Letting some pea pods dry out is a great way to save seeds:
Sunflowers
Timing: After it has finished flowering and the seeds have had time to fatten. Generally late summer into early autumn.
One sunflower can be the source of a huge number of seeds! To save the seeds:
Tomatoes
Timing: Once the fruit is perfectly ripe. Generally mid summer into autumn
Tomatoes are one of the most popular plants for saving seeds. You could even try with supermarket plants if you are not currently growing your own. To save seeds:
You've spent time carefully saving seeds. Now you want to make sure they are stored properly, so they have the best chance of success.
Envelopes are ideal for saving seeds. You can write the variety name and date saved on the front.
If you have any sight loss, use bright coloured envelopes to save seeds in. This may make it easier to distinguish the seeds from the envelope compared to the common brown envelopes.
Keep your envelopes in an airtight container somewhere cool and dry. A cool cupboard is a good place. If you have them, adding a couple of sachets of dried silica gel to the container can help keep out moisture.
How long do stored seeds last?
You should be able to successfully sow your seed for between two five years. The exact time can depend on the crop. If you have old seeds, you can always give them a go. Somtimes, seeds beyond their use by date will surprise you by still growing!
Do you have a plant you have great success saving seeds from? Send us an email and let us know. We always love to hear other people's tips!