Germination Guide Database
GENERAL TIPS AND BEST PRACTICES
Start with fresh, high-quality seeds. The older the seeds, the lower the germination rate.
Choose a pot or container with drainage holes, and fill it with a good quality seed starting mix.
Sow the seeds at the recommended depth for each plant, typically 2-3 times the size of the seed. Water the soil lightly, being careful not to disturb the seeds. Cover the pot with a plastic wrap or dome to create a humid environment. Place the pot in a warm, bright location, but out of direct sunlight Check the soil regularly to ensure it stays moist, but not waterlogged. Once the seedlings have emerged, remove the plastic wrap or dome and move the pot to a location with good air circulation. As the seedlings grow, gradually increase their exposure to sunlight. When the seedlings are large enough, transplant them to larger pots or into the garden.
It's important to note that different plant species have different germination requirements, and some may require specific conditions such as stratification (cold treatment), scarification (mechanical or chemical abrasion of the seed coat), or soaking before sowing.
ADDITIONAL PLANT SPECIFIC GERMINATION GUIDES
Listed Alphabetically By Botanical Latin Names
Botanical Latin Name
Common Names
Abies pinsapo
Spanish Fir: Abies pinsapo, Spanish Pine, Pinsapo Pine, Iberian Fir
Abroma augusta
. Devil's Cotton - Cactus Cotton, Cactus Silk, Vegetable Wool
Abrus precatorius
Rosary Pea - Black: Black-eyed Susan Vine, Black Coral Bead Plant, Black Pearl Plant, Black Bead Vine, Black Puka Vine
Abrus precatorius
Rosary Pea - White: White Coral Bead Plant, White Rosary Vine, White Bead Vine, White Puka Vine, White Eye of the Virgin
Abrus precatorius
Rosary Pea - Pink: Pink Coral Bead Plant, Pink Rosary Vine, Pink Bead Vine, Pink Puka Vine, Pink Eye of the Virgin
Abrus precatorius
Rosary Pea, Crab's Eye Vine, Jequirity Bean Plant, Precatory Bean, Love Pea, Weather Plant, Buddha Beads
Abutilon striatum
Red Vein Chinese Lanterns: Red Chinese lanterns, Red vein abutilon
Acacia fimbriata
Brisbane Golden Wattle, Australian Golden Wattle, Fringed Wattle, Brisbane Wattle, Fringed Acacia, Wattle Tree
Acacia tortilis / Vachellia tortilis
Umbrella Thorn Tree, Acacia Tortilis, Israeli Babool, Israeli Thorn, Twisted Thorn, Scented Thorn, Kadam Tree
Acca sellowiana
Pineapple Guava (Feijoa): Feijoa, Pineapple guava, Guavasteen
Acer Rubrum
Red Maple Bonsai Tree - Acer rubrum, Scarlet Maple, Red Maple
Acer buergerianum
Trident Maple Bonsai Tree: Acer buergerianum, three-toothed maple, burgundy lace
Acer palmatum atropurpureum
Redleaf Maple Bonsai Tree - Acer palmatum, Japanese Maple, Red Maple
Acer palmatum ssp. matsumurae 'Oregon Sunset'
Oregon Sunset Japanese Maple: Oregon Sunset Maple, Japanese Sunset Maple, Oregon Crimson Maple, Sunset Laceleaf Maple, Sunset Japanese Maple
Acer saccharum
Sugar Maple - Maple Syrup Tree: Rock Maple, Hard Maple, Sweet Maple, Acer Saccharum
Acmella oleracea
Bull's Eye Toothache Plant / Electric Daisy, Spilanthes acmella, Peek-A-Boo Plant.
Actinidia arguta
Kiwi Berries / Kiwi Berry Fruit: Hardy Kiwi, Actinidia arguta
Actinidia arguta
Dwarf Red Kiwi Fruit: Miniature Kiwi, Baby Kiwi, Red Kiwi Berry
Actinidia chinensis
Gold Kiwi Fruit: Chinese Gooseberry, Yang Tao
Actinidia deliciosa
Classic Green Kiwi: Chinese gooseberry, kiwi fruit, yangtao, macaque peach, vine pear, wood berry
Actinidia sp. 'Red'
Ruby Red Fleshed Kiwi: Red kiwi, Red heart kiwi
Adansonia gregorii
Australian Baobab, Boab, Bottle Tree.
Adenium arabicum
Pink Desert Rose Bonsai Tree: Pink desert rose, Adenium obesum, Bonsai adenium, Sabi star
Adenium obesum
Crimson Desert Rose Bonsai Tree - Adenium, Impala Lily, Desert Rose
Aeginetia indica
Forest Ghost Flower, Phantom Orchid, Ghost Orchid, Spirit Blossom, Shadow Bloom, Haunted Flower, Ethereal Blossom
Aeonium arboreum ‘Zwartkop’
Black Rose Succulent, Black Prince, Black Knight.
Aeonium lancerottense
Lanzarote Aeonium: Aeonium arboreum, Tree Aeonium, Houseleek Tree
Aeonium sp.
Tree Houseleek, Copper Pinwheel
Aeonium tabuliforme
Dinner Plate Plant: Giant Elephant Ear, Elephant's Ear Plant, Alocasia Macrorrhiza
Aeonium undulatum
Stalked Aeonium: Tree Houseleek, Irish Rose, Stalked Aeonium, Tree Aeonium
Afzelia africana
Afzelia / African Mahogany, Afzelia Africana, Doussie Wood, Pod Mahogany, Red Mahogany, African Oak, Afzelia
Agave attenuata
Foxtail Agave: Agave Attenuata, Spineless Century Plant, Lion's Tail Agave
Agave bracteosa
Squid Agave: Agave bracteosa, Spider Agave, Squid Ink Agave, Octopus Agave
Agave ferdinandi-regis / Agave nickelsiae
King of the Agaves: Agave victoriae-reginae, Queen Victoria Agave
Agave gentryi 'jaws'
Hardy Agave Jaws: Sharkskin Agave, Black-spined Agave
Agave guiengola
Creme Brulee Agave - Century Plant, Blue Agave, Spiked Agave
Agave impressa
Impressive Agave: Agave impressa, Blue Agave
Agave marmorata
Century Plant, Mottled Agave, Spotted Agave, Marble Agave
Agave megalodonta
Shark Tooth Agave: Red agave, Agave 'Sharkskin Shoes'
Agave potatorum
Butterfly Agave: Agave potatorum, Variegated Agave, Octopus Agave
Agave sisalana
Sisal Agave, Agave Plant, Sisal Agave, Sisal Plant, Sisal Yucca, Sisal Hemp
Agave stricta rubra
Red Hedgehog Agave - Agave stricta rubra, Hedgehog Agave, Stiff Agave
Agave vilmorinian
Octopus Agave - Agave vilmoriniana
Ageratum houstonianum
Blue Mink Floss Flower, Flossflower, Mexican Paintbrush
Aichryson laxum
Tree of Love: Cordyline fruticosa, ti plant, Hawaiian good-luck-plant
Akebia quinata
Chocolate Vine: Five-leaf akebia, chocolate vine, Japanese raisin vine, akebia, five-leaf chocolate vine
Albizia lebbeck
Siris Tree / Koko Tree, Albizia Tree, Woman's Tongue Tree, Silk Tree, Mimosa Tree, Persian Silk Tree, Sleeping Tree
Albizia saman
Rain Bonsai Tree - Podocarpus macrophyllus, Buddhist Pine, Yew Pine
Albuca Concordiana
Concord Albuca - Starfish Plant, Slime Lily, Leopard Lily, Leopard Flower
Albuca bracteata / Ornithogalum longibracteatum
Pregnant Onion: Pregnant onion, Ornithogalum longibracteatum