Top 10 Plants Inadvisable to Cultivate from Seeds
Growing a Dream Garden: Plants That Experts Warn Against Starting from Seeds
Want a stunning garden that matches your vision? Some plants might surprise you with unsatisfactory results when grown from seeds. Here are the top picks of plants you should steer clear of when sowing seeds. Let's hear from the pros.
- Linda Langelo, horticulture guru at Colorado State University
- Damon Abdi, researcher from Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's AgCenter
Garlic (Allium sativum)
You know garlic for its powerful aroma keeping pests at bay. But, experts say it's not worth growing from seeds as they're very tricky to germinate and result in a harvestable crop. Instead, plant garlic cloves for a more successful harvest. Linda Langelo, our gardening expert at Colorado State University, suggests, "It grows better from the cloves."
Sweet Potatoes (Ipomoea batatas)
Trying to sprout sweet potatoes from seeds doesn't guarantee consistent results. Most gardeners choose to grow them from slips, those rooted sprouts that grow out of the sweet potato. Simply twist or slice the slips off and place them in a glass of water or potting soil. Damon Abdi, a fantastic resource from the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's AgCenter, shares this approach.
Roses
Growing roses from seeds can be a patience-testing venture, as it takes years to bloom. A better choice? Take stem cuttings from the rose bush you want to grow, root them in soil, and enjoy the quickest and most effortless propagation method. Linda Langelo emphasizes, "It is the fastest and easiest way to propagate roses." Pair it with our guide on How To Grow and Care for Roses.
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
You guessed it! Potatoes are grown from tubers, so plant small pieces with sprouts (or eyes) for an easy and healthy crop. Let the sprouts grow, and bury them about 6 inches deep in well-draining soil with the sprouts facing up.
Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.)
Growing blueberries from seeds may not produce plants with the same characteristics as the parent plant. That's why gardening enthusiasts opt for growing blueberries from cuttings.
Peonies
While growing peonies from seeds is feasible, it may take up to seven years for them to bloom and might not resemble the parent plant. Thanks to Linda Langelo for this piece of wisdom.
Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are a standout choice for shady garden areas. For genuine varieties and character retention, divide established plants instead of growing from seeds. After dividing, you'll get plants with identical characteristics as the parent.
Onions (Allium sepa)
Technically, onions can sprout from seeds, but it's far from the best method. Many gardeners prefer to grow onions from bulbs or onion sets, small bulbs grown from seeds from the previous season, especially since certified onion sets are less prone to diseases.
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary won't retain the desired characteristics if it's grown from seeds. Instead, propagate this plant from cuttings for a truer representation of the parent plant.
Stonecrop (Sedum)
Stonecrop, along with many succulents, is best propagated from cuttings rather than seeds. Simply cut a section from a healthy shoot, and let it develop roots in moist soil.
Key Takeaways:- Certain plants like garlic, sweet potatoes, roses, potatoes, blueberries, peonies, hostas, onions, rosemary, and stonecrop might not yield the desired results when grown from seeds.- Propagating these plants through methods like division, layering, or grafting can help retain their desired characteristics.
In a dream garden that matches your vision, you might want to be cautious when sowing seeds for some plants. Garlic and sweet potatoes, for example, are difficult to germinate from seeds, and growing from cloves or slips, respectively, results in a more successful harvest. Similarly, growing roses from seeds takes years to bloom, while taking stem cuttings is a faster and easier method. Potatoes, blueberries, peonies, hostas, onions, rosemary, and stonecrop can also present challenges when grown from seeds. Instead, propagate these plants using methods like division, layering, or grafting to retain their desired characteristics. Check out Martha Stewart's home-and-garden segment for more vegetable garden ideas and lifestyle gardening tips.
