Growing perennials from seed - potting on a plug plant

How to grow quick-growing perennials from seed

Find out how to grow fast-growing perennials from seed, in our practical guide.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
At its best
At its best

Plant is not at its best in January

Plant is not at its best in February

Plant is not at its best in March

Plant is not at its best in April

Plant is not at its best in May

Plant is not at its best in June

Plant is not at its best in July

Plant is not at its best in August

Plant is at its best in September

Plant is at its best in October

Plant is at its best in November

Plant is not at its best in December

To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do To do in March

Do To do in April

Do To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do not To do in August

Do not To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

Early spring is the ideal time to sow quick-growing perennials, to grow on for planting out later in the year. Follow our simple steps, below, to raise healthy seedlings with a strong root system.

Advertisement

You Will Need

  • Seed tray
  • Multi-purpose, peat-free compost
  • Seeds
  • Sandpaper
  • Large container

Step 1

Fill a shallow tray with seed compost, and firm gently. Water the compost thoroughly and allow to drain. Scatter seed thinly over the surface. Don’t forget to label the seed tray.

Growing perennials from seed - sowing the seed
Growing perennials from seed – sowing the seed

Step 2

Sieve compost through a large plastic pot, covering your seeds with a fine layer of compost about 1cm deep, then place the seed tray in a warm, sunny spot.

Growing perennials from seed - covering the seed with compost
Growing perennials from seed – covering the seed with compost

Step 3

Plants can take anything from two weeks to two months to germinate, so be patient and keep the compost moist by misting with water regularly. When seedlings are large enough to handle, pot them up in individual pots, ready to plant outside into their final growing positions.

Growing perennials from seed - planting the plug plant
Growing perennials from seed – planting the plug plant
Advertisement