How to Collect Seeds From Annual Plants

Collecting seeds from annual plants saves money and allows you to grow plants adapted to your growing conditions. Annual plant seeds appear after the blooming period when the flower dries and the petals fall off the plant. Annual seeds can be almost any shape. For example, zinnia seeds are paper thin and flat, while basil seeds are small and hard, and snapdragon seeds are so tiny they are hard to see without magnification. Collect seeds on a sunny day after the dew has dried.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Envelopes
• Felt marker or pen
• Scissors
• Clean dry container

1. Write the type of seed you are storing and the date on a regular letter-sized envelope. Don't write on the envelope if it has seeds inside or you risk crushing them.

2. Find an annual plant from which you want to collect seeds. It should have dead blooms, but otherwise be healthy. Choose a plant that is in decline as a normal part of the growing process, not one dying from disease, especially a fungal disease. Healthy plants make healthy seeds.

3. Cut the stem a few inches below the flower head, and place the stem--flower head down--in dry container.

4. Shake or pull the flower seeds loose from the stem and dry flower head, letting the seeds fall freely into the container. Some plant material will mix with the seeds. Remove the plant material by slowly pouring the mixture over a stiff piece of paper held at a slant and letting the seeds roll into a container, while leaving the plant material behind.

5. Pour the seeds into the envelope and store in a cool dry place. You don't have to store annual seeds in a refrigerator

Tips & Warnings

• Seeds cannot develop once the plant is cut, so don't remove the flowers early and try to dry them. Remove seeds from standing plants. Mark or identify plants with desirable characteristics such as height or flower color early in the season before plant declines and seeds form. Flower seeds enclosed in a colorful envelope make an inexpensive gift. You can store most annual flower seeds up to a year before planting.

References

• National Gardening Association
• University of Minnesota
• Seed and Sower