Take a stroll through any garden center this spring and you will see customers spending big bucks on seed packets. What seems crazy is that these are the same varieties they grew last spring, and the spring before that! This just goes to prove that the little envelopes probably aren’t worth the price they cost because most flowers practically give you their seeds for free.
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Check PriceThe secret is in the timing and techniques, plus which flowers make seed saving elatively easy. These 12 champions don't just create viable seeds, but so many that you will become the unofficial seed distributor of the neighborhood.
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1. Dreams of Beginners – Marigolds
Those brown and papery flower heads aren’t failures, they’re treasure chests! When the petals dry completely pull apart the center and dozens of thin, dark seeds will be revealed. One mature marigold plant can produce over a hundred seeds! Keep them in paper envelopes, and they’ll stay good for four years.
2. Zinnias – Highest Value For Your Dollar
Each zinnia flower head has 50 – 100 seeds evenly spread around the head. The trick to collecting them is waiting until the flower looks completely spent; this is when the seeds begin to pull away easily from the base. Grab the dark, flat, arrow – shaped seeds. These powerhouses germinate like crazy and will self – sow if you leave a few heads standing.
3. Cosmos – The Generous Givers
The dark brown seed pods that are spiky and splitting open are gold for cosmos. Each pod has 2-4 thin, elongated seeds that resemble small needles. The pods should be collected when they are brown and are starting to split on their own. When properly stored, cosmose seeds will remain viable for 5 years, making them great for seed swaps.
4. Sunflowers – Bird Food AND Future Gardens
Here is a win-win suggestion: Once the back of sunflower heads turn brown let them on the plant to mature, then cut the head off, leaving 12 inches of the stem. Hang it upside down in a dry, ventilated location. The seeds will finish maturing as they dry. One big sunflower head can yield over 500 seeds which is enough to replant a whole patch next year.
5. Night Shift Workers – Four O'Clocks
These round seeds are very easy to find and collect. All you need to do is wait until the husks have turned completely dry and brown, then you can just shake them into your hand, If you're seed collecting, four o'clock seeds are a great choice as they are large and easy to handle and have great germination rates even after a few years.
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6. Calendula – Curved Treasure
Calendula gives future gardens crescent moon shaped seeds that stick to the dried centers of flowers. Wait for the flower heads to turn brown and dry completely, and then rub the flower head with your hands to get the seeds to release into your palms! A single flower head can contain 15-25 seeds, which can still be planted up to 3-4 years after the seeds were harvested.
7. Celosia – Tiny but Mighty
The key to celosia is to collect at the right time. Grab the flower heads when they have fully formed but before they begin to shatter on their own. Once you have done that, take the flower heads and turn them upside down into a container and lightly shake them to release the tiny round black seeds. These tiny seeds have incredible staying power if you store them properly.
8. Bachelor Button – Two-Way Garden Stars
Each bachelor button flower creates a collection of seeds with fluffy white 'parachutes'. When the seeds turn brown and the fluff is fully formed, collect them. These seeds readily self-sow, and can be stored for 4-5 years while still being viable to use.
9. Nasturtium – Easy Picking
When ready, these large, wrinkly seeds almost drop into your hand. Once the seed pods are brown and have a hard, brittle feel to them, it's time to collect them. Each nasturtium plant can produce more than 50 easily collectible seeds that will germinate in the spring (likely in your garden if you don't collect them). They are also edible! All parts of the plant, including the flowers and seeds, have a peppery taste that adds a nice kick to salads.
10. Sweet Peas – Snap and Save
The plump seed pods that form after the flowers fade hold about 4-6 round seeds each. Once the pods turn completely dry and begin to split, you can simply pop them open. Sweet pea seeds actually germinate more readily after 2 years than when freshly harvested, so older seeds are better. For best germination longevity, store the seeds in cool and dry conditions.
11. Nicotiana – The Great Producers
Each small nicotiana flower turns into a tiny capsule with hundreds of seeds like dust. The trick to collecting them is to wait until the capsules are brown and just starting to split. Gently tap the dried flower heads over a bowl and be amazed at how many seeds come pouring out. These prolific self-seeders mean that a little goes a very long way!
12. Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella) – The Show Stoppers
The unique seed pods are just as ornamental as the flowers. When the pods are dry and papery brown, cut them with some stems attached for use in dried arrangements. To plant, just open the pods to access the small black seeds. While waiting to plant, the seed pods make a great addition to dried arrangements.
The Storage Game-Changer
One of the main problems for many gardeners is incorrect storage of seeds. The correct storage method can make the difference between 90% germination or complete failure. Try the envelope method. Store seeds in dry, paper envelopes. Label each envelope with the variety and date of collection. Then, put the envelopes into an airtight container with either a packet of rice or silica gel to control the moisture. Store the container in a cool, dark, dry location such as a basement or refrigerator.
Testing Your Success
Before you put your entire collection of saved seeds in the ground, do a quick test to check the germination rate. Take 10 seeds, place them on a paper towel that is damp, and put the towel in a bag. After 7-14 days check to see how many seeds have sprouted. If 7 or more seeds sprouted, then great, you have good germination viability. If only 5 or 6 seeds sprouted, then you should double your planting density to make up for that.
By saving seeds, you will save money, but you’ll also be saving seeds that do well in YOUR personal growing conditions. Plus, you’ll be building a seed library that connects you with generations of gardeners who understood that nature wants to be generous. You just need to pay attention to her timing and give her seeds the respect they deserve.
