How to Save Strawberry Seeds

Save seeds from your garden-grown strawberries.

Growing your own plants from seed is an inexpensive way to ensure your favorite varieties are always available for planting. You can save the seeds from non-hybrid strawberry varieties, then plant them later to grow new seedlings or replace older plants in the strawberry patch. Strawberry seeds are located on the outside of the fruit. The small seeds must be separated from the ripe berry, otherwise the moisture in the berry causes the seeds to rot.

Things You'll Need

• Sieve
• Paper plate
• Envelope

Instructions

1. Place a ripe strawberry into a fine-mesh sieve. Push the fruit through the sieve, separating most of the fruit and pulp from the seeds.

2. Hold the sieve under a running faucet. Rinse the seeds off, removing as much of the remaining pulp as possible.

3. Spread the strawberry seeds out on a paper plate. Place the plate in a warm, well-ventilated room to dry.

4. Stir the seeds once a day to prevent them from sticking together. Seeds are dry when they no longer stick to each other, which takes approximately one week.

5. Place the strawberry seeds into an envelope. Store the envelope in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant.

Tips & Warnings

• Strawberry seeds are difficult to germinate. Soak the seeds in water overnight the day before planting.

• Store seeds with a small packet of silica gel. The silica absorbs any excess moisture so it doesn't ruin the seeds.

• Hybrid strawberries do not produce viable seed. The seed will either produce weak plants or fail to germinate completely.

References

• Winter Sown: Seed Saving Faq--Berries