How To Grow Indoor Plants From Seeds In Pots (2023)

FAQs

How To Grow Indoor Plants From Seeds In Pots? ›

While you learn how seed starting works, indoor sow no more than a couple dozen plants in three or four varieties. It's not complicated or difficult once you understand the process, but it's best to start small so you don't get overwhelmed at first.

While you learn how seed starting works, indoor sow no more than a couple dozen plants in three or four varieties. It's not complicated or difficult once you understand the process, but it's best to start small so you don't get overwhelmed at first.

In most cases, seeds will germinate within three weeks (after that, try starting a new round of seeds). spot in your house (preferably a south-facing window). Continue to keep the mix moist, but not overly wet. Seedlings should be watered once a day or every other day, depending on how much sun and heat they get.

The Wrong Amount of Water

Too much or too little water is the most likely reason for seeds not germinating. With too little or no water, seeds remain dormant. With too much water, seeds become susceptible to rot or infection from soil-borne fungi (also referred to as "dampening off").

You can make furrows in the containers or scatter the seeds over the surface. If you're using containers with individual cells, plant two seeds per cell. Cover the seeds with the proper amount of prepared mix, taking care not to cover them too deeply.

You can definitely start seeds in potting soil. Vegetable seeds such as tomatoes, cabbage, and pepper germinate easily in potting soil.

Nearly every houseplant can start from a seed, so that's not the real question. It's a matter of which houseplant will sprout indoors with the conditions you have. In some cases, seeds need both heat and light to grow, while others only need a bit of moisture and a good-enough temperature.

Two to three seeds per pot is sufficient. Some gardeners carefully separate the seedlings and replant the extras in other pots. Thrifty, yes, but it's easy to damage the tiny plants. If you decide to transplant any of the seedlings, loosen them carefully from the soil, using a table knife.

Yes, you certainly could try starting your seeds indoors without grow lights if you have a sunny window for them. What is this? However, most homes do not get enough natural light for healthy seedling development. So, for the best results, I recommend supplementing with artificial lights.

It is traditional to soak some seeds before planting them. Soaking can accelerate germination and increase the proportion of seeds that successfully germinate. Seeds have evolved a protective coating around the embryo so the embryo can survive being dispersed by some means.

Should you water seeds right after planting? ›

Before planting seeds indoors in a seed tray, water the soil thoroughly so it's moist, but not wet. Then plant the seeds according to the instructions that came with the seeds. You won't have to water after they are planted, preventing seed movement.

Commercial seed-starting mixes, usually composed of vermiculite and peat, without any true soil, are recommended for starting seeds. They're sterile, lightweight and free from weed seeds, with a texture and porosity especially suited to the needs of germinating seeds and tiny seedlings.

Sufficient moisture is critical to avoid drought stress; however, overwatering promotes disease, leaches nutrients and wastes time and money. Here are tips for deciding how much irrigation seedlings need.

Until seeds have sprouted, keep the seed bed moist, never allowing it to dry out. Water with a fine-spray hose nozzle or watering can which will provide a fine misty spray and not wash away the soil. Water often enough (usually about once a day) so that the soil surface never dries out, but remains constantly moist.

Seed germination (or seed starting) is the process of growing plants directly from seeds instead of buying ready-grown plants. Sprouting seeds indoors is an effective way to increase the germination rate versus germinating seeds outdoors directly in the soil.

Mason Jar. If you're looking for an efficient, airtight seed storage container, consider the simple mason jar. Storing seed packets in a jar allows them to be easily sealed and you can even include silica packets if you'd like. It's easy to find a place for jars, and larger jars can hold quite a few envelopes of seeds.

For long-term storage, place seed packets or bulk quantities of seed in a large, airtight container (such as a mason jar with a 2-piece lid) and store in the refrigerator or freezer. It's very important that the container be airtight to prevent moisture from getting onto your seeds.

Help seeds germinate by sowing them in Miracle-Gro® Seed Starting Potting Mix. This is finer than a regular potting mix, so young roots have an easier time of poking through. It mostly contains lightweight peat moss—a texture that allows air to move through while retaining a uniform amount of moisture.

If you're planning to put in new plantings, be sure to water garden soil first. Of course, if you've had rain, your soil may already be sufficiently moist. Or, if you have an irrigation system, you may not need to water garden soil again before planting.

Zinnias are one of the easiest flower seeds to grow indoors because they grow quickly and produce many flowers. Zinnia flowers may provide a tremendous burst of colour in your garden or home, so they're a great option for anyone. Zinnias are annuals, meaning that Zinnia flowers grow in one season and eventually seed.

What happens if you plant too many seeds together? ›

Crowded plants not only discourage growth, they encourage pests and disease. Crowded seedlings shade each other from the sun. As they get larger, it only gets worse. Crowded root vegetables, including turnips, beets, and radishes, won't develop useable roots if they're crowded.

Ignoring recommended seeding rates

Don't overdo or cut corners. Too much grass seed causes undue competition for resources such as light, water and nutrients, and grass seedlings struggle as a result. Too little seed leaves lawns thin or bare.

Depending on the seed, it's usually a good plan to plant more than one seed (but not too many!) Some seeds just aren't viable, so it's good to plant two or three just in case. You can always cull them later if you have multiple sprouts.

For many years, fluorescent shop lights were the go-to seed starting bulbs for gardeners, but LEDs have quickly replaced them as the standard choice. LEDs are usually more expensive than fluorescent bulbs, but they are very energy-efficient and long-lasting.

To conclude: An east or west-facing window is a great option for growing out seedlings. South-facing window: A south-facing window can be the best option, but it can also be detrimental. If you're lucky enough to have one of these windows, you're getting LOTS of direct sun in your home!

Blue light helps plants produce chlorophyll, the pigment they need to grow. It also helps encourage germination and root development in young plants and seedlings. Red light regulates plant growth and helps plants produce flowers and fruit.

Gardening can feel like a very expensive activity sometimes, but starting seeds for spring planting doesn't have to be. You can use egg cartons as a seed-starting tray! Depending on the type of carton you have, you can even cut apart the individual sections and plant them, as the carton will biodegrade.

As a general rule of thumb, your seeds will sprout even if you don't soak your seeds before planting, but with soaking, the germination time decreases, and the germination rate increases. Seeds that have a continual flow of moisture to uptake have much higher chances of success.

All vegetable, herb, and flower seeds can be germinated in a paper towel or coffee filter, but personally, I find the baggie method to be most effective for seeds that take a long time to germinate.

Over the next few days, monitor the moisture level inside the bag. Use a spray bottle to mist the towel with more water only if it starts to dry out. Under ideal conditions, most types of seeds should germinate within about a week (if not sooner) though some may take longer.

What is the best time to give water to plants? ›

The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.

More importantly, watering at these times actually helps the plant retain water. If you water in the afternoon, especially during summer, the heat and sun are at their peak and the plant's water will evaporate instead of absorbing into the soil and roots.

The best time to water grass seed is in the morning and evening. These are the coolest parts of the day, which allows water to absorb into the ground instead of evaporating.

Your newly sprouted seedling will need good air circulation and light. With the plastic wrap off, you will need to be aware that moisture will be released as well as heat. Keep your seedlings in a warm area and make sure to check them everyday to see if they need water. Water gently when the soil is dry to the touch.

The Difference Between Seed Starting Mix and Potting Soil

Seed starting mix provides the ideal environment for germinating seeds but isn't designed to feed seedlings long term. Potting soil is designed to feed plants for several weeks or months at a time but isn't ideal for planting seeds in.

Seedlings should be watered once a day or every other day, depending on how much sun and heat they get. Remember that seedling roots are fairly close to the surface and they're growing in a small amount of media, so they don't need a deep soak the way larger plants do.

Do you water seeds every day? Yes, seeds normally need to be watered at least once per day to keep the soil moist, not permitting it to dry out. In especially warm climates (or depending on your soil or garden setup), you may need to water more than once per day.

Initially place seedlings outdoors in a sheltered spot – protected from wind and direct sun. Each day following, expose plants to another 30-60 minutes of filtered sunlight. Work your way up to giving plants direct morning sun, followed last by noon-day sun.

Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007). Don't confuse seed light requirements with what seedlings need. All seedlings require sunlight.

Bottom watering seedlings is a better method, so the seeds don't get dislodged by the force of the water coming from above. Just make sure that the water reaches the top of the soil, or the seedlings may not germinate.

The results of our experiment indicate that plain water is the best growing liquid for seeds. However, seeds may also grow in sugar water.

What grows fastest from seed? ›

Radish. Radishes are probably the fastest growing vegetable in your garden, being ready to pick in as little as 30 days from planting the seeds. Their peppery flavor is a hit on the vegetable tray or added to a fresh lettuce salad.

One easy way to make seeds germinate faster is to presoak them for 24 hours in a shallow container filled with hot tap water. Water will penetrate the seed coat and cause the embryos inside to plump up. Don't soak them for longer than 24 hours because they could rot. Plant the seeds immediately in moist soil.

Use a well-drained, sterile potting mix. Seeds germinate best with soil temperatures at 70-80F. Keep soil moderately moist, do not overwater or let soil completely dry out. Germination time under proper conditions runs about 2-4 weeks.

Most seeds will not germinate without sunlight and will perform best with 12 to 16 hours each day. Indoors, place seed containers in a sunny, south-facing window and give the container a quarter turn each day to prevent the seedlings from overreaching toward the light and developing weak, elongated stems.

If only a few plants are needed, it is not necessary to plant all the seeds in a packet. Surplus seed often can be saved for a later planting date. Keeping seed dry and cool or at least at room temperature in a closed container is best.

Yes, seeds normally need to be watered at least once per day to keep the soil moist, not permitting it to dry out. In especially warm climates (or depending on your soil or garden setup), you may need to water more than once per day. Check on your seeds or seedlings frequently to make sure they have plenty of water.

Seed germination (or seed starting) is the process of growing plants directly from seeds instead of buying ready-grown plants. Sprouting seeds indoors is an effective way to increase the germination rate versus germinating seeds outdoors directly in the soil.

Commercial seed-starting mixes, usually composed of vermiculite and peat, without any true soil, are recommended for starting seeds. They're sterile, lightweight and free from weed seeds, with a texture and porosity especially suited to the needs of germinating seeds and tiny seedlings.

Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.).

How many seeds should I put in one container? ›

It's best to add 2-3 seeds to each pot, in case one doesn't sprout. Use the crease of the seed packet or place seeds in a creased piece of paper to help direct the seeds where you want them to go.

Almost every seed can be started indoors, but people typically start long season crops, like eggplants, okra, tomatoes, broccoli and kale, indoors. Some plants do not fare well as transplanted or need to be transplanted at the right stage of growth so they aren't stunted by stressors.