What are the chances that I could get lavender to grow from seed by throwing them outside right now? I live in zone 6a and it is currently 26° outside. I really wanna grow them and I figured the chance for trial and error is now.
Also, any tips and tricks to get their germination successful would be greatly appreciated.
These(picture) are the seeds I’m using.
by hazelnutcofffeee
23 Comments
Almost zero chance.
Always follow the instructions on the back of the seed packet.
Worth a shot! It’s fun to experiment 😊I’m cold stratifying in the fridge with them right now. Next month we will be putting them in seed trays in the mini greenhouse. Zone 3 here so I got a while before spring 🤣
Refer to a reliable tutorial and follow the instructions: [https://sowrightseeds.com/blogs/planters-library/how-to-grow-lavender-from-seed?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21584836693&gbraid=0AAAAAojU4rq7Six0XBh4RKP2of97qA1c2&gclid=CjwKCAiA1obMBhAbEiwAsUBbIsFnibNB-v9iMaeCBkfFCK_TMS8bR4jpQBer-y-Em9D1attJVEOwsBoChaUQAvD_BwE](https://sowrightseeds.com/blogs/planters-library/how-to-grow-lavender-from-seed?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21584836693&gbraid=0AAAAAojU4rq7Six0XBh4RKP2of97qA1c2&gclid=CjwKCAiA1obMBhAbEiwAsUBbIsFnibNB-v9iMaeCBkfFCK_TMS8bR4jpQBer-y-Em9D1attJVEOwsBoChaUQAvD_BwE)
I wouldn’t throw them outside right now. I’d throw them in the fridge for two weeks. That’ll get the cold stratification process out of the way safely. Then, you could possibly start them inside on a growing tray. Or just put them in some pots near a window. They won’t germinate unless it’s warm (over 65F). Then plant the starts in late spring
I put mine in a seed starting tray (about 12 of em) last year and had them as moist as I would any other seeds…had them in the fridge for about 6 weeks, took them out, and they all germinated under growing lights and a heat mat. I checked them every week or so to make sure moisture was good and had no problems.
A great chance only if started in doors. Mine is already growing. This is the second time in one year I’ve grown lavender from seed. They need a cold stratification period in soil. What I do is I place them on the surface of pre moistened soil and put in the freezer for 7 days. Be sure to water the seeds in first before putting in the freezer. I’ve found that stratifying them in the freezer is far more superior than the fridge. I bought a pack of about 50 seeds and had 27 seedlings from this method.
I recommend a recycled container like a plastic berry container or tomato because the seedlings will stay in there for some period before pricking them out. Lavender seeds must have light to germinate. Leave it on for 12-16 hours a day. I had germination in 10 days.
Give it a try.
This time of year in 6a? lol you will be feeding the birds.
I like a good experiment. I threw some outside my door back in December just to see what would happen. It’s in the 20’s here now as well. I started some in seed trays on 1/9/26. And I’ve got some that have been in the fridge (wet paper towel) since 1/9/26. I plan to put them in seed trays on 2/9. The one’s I put in seed trays on 1/9 had about 50% germination rate within a week. I’m going to see if I get higher germination from the ones that went in the fridge. And in spring I’ll see if anything pops up from the ones I sprinkled outside.
I have to admit… I have had almost zero luck with them. I’m 9a/b and have tried inside, direct sow, germination in a ziploc… nothing
I start mine indoors. Zone 9a
They are not easy to start. Throwing them outside won’t get you anywhere.
I start mine on moist paper towels in sealed plastic baggies in the fridge.
Lay the seeds on half of a damp paper towel, and fold over the other half so they are sandwiched between the paper. Wet the paper thoroughly. Hold the paper towel up and let excess water drip out. Put it into a sealed plastic ziplock baggy with proper label and date. Put them in a colder section of your fridge. Start checking after three weeks. They will start germinating around that point. As soon as they germinated put them into gently packed seed starter medium, just at surface level. Set them under very bright grow lights. In a day or two they will shed the seed husk. Keep them slightly damp until the first true leaves arrive. Water delicately after that. They don’t like staying too wet. Check the baggy daily and move seedlings as they sprout. If the paper towel gets moldy, replace it. Tweezers work well for grabbing the tiny seeds.
I get extremely low germination rates from Lavender seeds. Like 1 in 20 even with stratifying and following best practices etc… If you’re up for a challenge go for it, but it’s one of those plants I’d generally recommend buying in the nursery.
Also zone 6b. Last year I germinated them in my Aerogarden early in the year and moved them outside in a pot once it warmed up. They’ve grown in the pot over the summer (be aware they grow kinda slowly). Right now they’re outside still in a pot buried in the snow and hopefully will survive this cold winter. 🤞🏽
I started a few from seed last year and it went well! Going to do it again this year. I put the seeds in a wet paper towel in a ziplock and stuck them in the fridge for 2-3 weeks. Then I planted them in small seed starting trays indoors. Now’s definitely a good time to start, and you should be able to have little seedlings to transplant outside by spring.
Lavender is insanely hard from seed, I planted a whole plug tray a few years ago with seed and produced very few plants…. Even fewer that survived and grew well… After 3-4 years I finally have a single large lavender plant. Much easier to propagate from cuttings.
I had mine in the fridge in moist tissue for two weeks. They germinated and I planted them and covered them by the window. This was about 3 months ago. Three have grown but are only 5cm long. Its been a challenge. I am determined to grow them to full size!
I’m gonna try it again myself, this will be my third time trying to start lavender from seed. I get them decently sized but then they always die by the end of the summer? Recently learned I may be watering them too much. Godspeed in your quest, my friend
I haven’t had luck with stratification or winter sewing. A few weeks ago I heard someone say they do better if you treat them like pepper seeds and start them on a heat mat set around 80 F. I haven’t decided if I’ll try that or give up and buy plants this year.
ferris morris, in my opinion, is the zody’s or dollar general of seed companies. Find some better options if you can.
20 watt heat mats plus LEDs. Soaking the seeds 12-24 hrs probably will help. A dome/cover/saran wrap to keep humidity up for the first two weeks could help. Warmth and moisture are critical.
I’m zone 6a. I threw some seeds outside in an empty flower pot in November (2024) then forgot about them but ended up having lavender seedlings ready to be potted up in the spring. It was my only successful attempt to date. I think it might be worth sowing a few just to see how it goes. Good luck
I have had success 2x growing lavender by winter sowing in milk jugs!