Grow Houseplants from Seed

Want to grow unusual houseplants that you can’t find in stores or even online? Try growing houseplants from seed. A surprising number of houseplants can be easily grown from seed.

Houseplants That Grow From Seed

Here are some houseplants that you can start from seed:

• African violet
• Asparagus fern
• Cactus
• Coleus
• English ivy
• Ponytail palm
• Peace lily (spathiphyllum)
• Rubber tree
• Succulents, including aloe vera, living stones, and sansevieria

How to Grow Houseplants from Seed

The secret to growing houseplants from seed is keeping the seed moist during germination and providing good lighting once the seedlings emerge and begin to grow.

Using the AeroGarden Seed Starting System

I recently discovered a great way to quickly and easily grow houseplants from seed using the AeroGarden Seed Starting System. This system worked like a dream for planting houseplant seeds. For example, I grew beautiful coleus plants from seed in just 37 days. The AeroGarden system is also effective for edibles, like strawberry plants. In just two months after planting tiny alpine seeds, I had fruiting plants!

How to Use the AeroGarden System

1. Fill the AeroGarden with water.
2. Insert grow sponges into the seed starting tray.
3. Place the tray in the machine and sprinkle seeds inside the sponges.
4. Add the provided liquid fertilizer to the water and program the system.

The system will cycle water at intervals to keep the seeds moist, and the lighting will turn on and off automatically. Just watch for when you need to add water or fertilizer and enjoy the process!

Transplanting Seedlings

Transplanting baby houseplants when they’re ready is straightforward. Simply lift each grow sponge with the plant out of the tray and plant it. Be cautious not to wait too long to transplant, as roots can become intertwined. Transplanting a week earlier can save you from a lot of work untangling the roots.

Planting Seedlings in Soil

If you prefer planting seedlings in soil rather than using an AeroGarden, follow these tips:

1. Use a Seed Starting Tray: Ensure it has drainage holes.
2. Prepare the Tray: Fill it with damp, lightweight seed starting mix.
3. Plant the Seeds: Sprinkle houseplant seeds on top of the mix and cover with a fine layer of additional mix.
4. Moisten the Soil: Spray the top of the soil with a fine mist of water to dampen it completely.
5. Cover the Tray: This helps retain moisture and hasten germination.
6. Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Dry soil can kill the seedlings.

Providing Light

Once seedlings emerge, place the seed starting tray in a location with bright light. An unobstructed eastern or southern window works well in spring and summer, but you may need supplemental LED or full-spectrum lighting in the fall and winter months. Keep young houseplants moist at all times.

Conclusion

In the next blog post, we’ll discuss how to get baby houseplants to grow big and healthy!