How To Grow Indoor Plants From Seeds

Growing new plants is now on the list, whether this is your first plant or one of many. You can propagate existing plants with cuttings or start fresh with seed.

While growing from cuttings is the most convenient because you already have the plant, starting plants from seeds is rewarding in its own right.

Most new and experienced gardeners looking for plants to add to their indoor garden that is not only beautiful but also easy to grow. They seek low-cost methods of growing and maintaining plants.

Use a plastic fruit container to create the setup, then fill it with moist, well-draining potting mix, plant the seeds, and close the lid. After that, place these near a bright window or under a grow light.

The container will keep the seeds moist and warm, so all you have to do now is keep an eye on them to see if they’re getting enough water.

Here’s everything you need to know about growing houseplants from seed, as well as a few quick-growing indoor plants to help you get started.

5 Easy And Fast-growing Indoor Plants From Seeds

Nearly every houseplant can sprout from a seed. So it is important to identify which houseplant will grow indoors under the conditions you have.

Some seeds require both heat and light to grow, while others only require a little moisture and a warm enough temperature. Cat grass, Living stone, Peace lily, Coleus, and Asparagus fern are a few common indoor houseplants that will grow from seed.

This is far from an extensive list. We recommend researching your ideal plants to determine which ones will germinate quickly from seed in indoor conditions.

Cat Grass

Cat grass, also known as orchard grass or cock’s-foot, is a type of Dactylis glomerata. These are not only lovely to look at but very easy to grow from seed as well.

You will need a shallow slim container and some potting mix to get started. Check for drainage holes in the container. Fill the container about three-quarters of the way with any potting mix.

You can use any potting mix you have on hand. Simply moisten the soil and scatter your seeds on top. Place the container in an area with indirect sunlight.

It is advised to keep the temperature inside the container constant at first. All you have to do now is wrap the container in plastic wrap. This will aid in temperature regulation and sprouting. 

In a week or so, you’ll notice tiny grass sprouts. When this happens, remove the plastic wrap and move the container to a more sunny location.

Living Stone

Lithops is a Greek name that refers to its stone-like appearance. They are native to and grow in parts of southern Africa, but they can be easily planted and cared for at home anywhere in the world.

Planting living stone from seed is simple. Simply purchase the seeds online or in local stores. Then you’ll need a mix of perlite and potting mix. It is critical to combine them in equal parts for the best results.

To prepare the potting mix for use, wet it and place it in a pot. The pot should have drainage holes so that excess water can be easily drained.

Then just spread the seeds over the potting mix and you’re ready to go. The seeds will require a layer of sand or rock to sprout and grow properly.

Mist the seeds rather than water them. Living stone seeds should be misted frequently during the germination process.

Covering the container with plastic wrap will raise the temperature inside the pot and hasten the germination process. You can also use a glass pane to cover the container.

It will take about a week or two for the plant to germinate, after which it will begin to grow rapidly. Remove the film once you see sprouts and allow the plant to grow naturally.

Peace Lily

Peace lily, also known as Spathiphyllum, is one of many fast-growing indoor plants that can be grown from seed. Growing this plant from seed can be quite difficult though.

This plant is typically propagated or purchased as a sapling, and most gardeners believe caring for them as seedlings are difficult.

You need to be careful when planting the peace lily from seed with the amount of potting soil you use. Cover the seeds with soil. Moisten the soil after the seeds have been planted.

After a while, you’ll notice that the seeds have begun to turn yellow. They’ll become softer as well. These indicate that the seeds are growing and maturing properly.

Coleus

The Coleus is a brightly colored houseplant. These plants have vibrant leaves in purple, green, and pink. Avoid direct sunlight to keep the color of these plants from fading.

To start a Coleus plant from seed, you will need sine starting soil. Cover the container with soil and your seeds. The key to growing Coleus is to keep the temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

They will sprout and begin to grow in about 12 to 21 days. The seedlings will need a little more sun to grow once the seeds have sprouted.

You can either put them on a windowsill or put them under fluorescent lighting to promote growth. Keep them out of direct sunlight.

Asparagus Fern

The Sprenger’s asparagus, also known as the asparagus fern, is a fast-growing indoor plant that can be grown from seeds.

Asparagus fern is simple to grow from seed because the seeds are easily obtained from the berries. The healthiest berries are bright red in color and about a quarter-inch in diameter.

Steps to Avoid When Growing Seeds Indoors

It is very cost-effective to start seeds indoors, especially when the seedlings grow into strong plants. Growing seeds indoors, on the other hand, can be difficult.

Avoid these common seed-starting blunders to significantly increase your chances of success.

Not Providing Enough Light

Seedlings require a lot of light to develop into strong, healthy plants. There’s a good chance you don’t have enough natural light in your home to grow healthy seedlings. Even a south-facing window isn’t always enough.

Artificial light, on the other hand, can be used to provide the right amount of light for seedlings. To do so, you’ll need to grow lights that are specifically designed for plants.

Not Watering Properly

The amount of water you provide can make or break the growth of seedlings. One of the most difficult parts of seed starting is watering.

When it comes to watering seedlings, there is very little room for mistakes because they are so delicate. The sterile seed-starting medium must be kept damp but not wet.

Planting Seeds Too Early

Many plants are sensitive to cold temperatures, and exposing them to chilly air or soil will stress them out. Plants that are stressed are more vulnerable to pests and disease.

Most plants are ready to be planted outside four to six weeks after they are started from seed.

Not Maintaining Planting Depth

Seeds are picky about how deep they should be planted. Planting depth is usually specified on the seed packet. If no information is provided on the packet, the general rule is to plant seeds two to three times as deep as they are wide.

Planting Seedlings Outside Too Soon

A tough-love approach with seedlings has no benefit when they are young. They will either die immediately or become weak and fail to thrive. Even the hardiest plants require a lot of care and attention when they are young.

Planting Too Many Seeds

If you are a beginner, start small when sowing seeds. If you plant more seeds than you can reasonably care for, it will be difficult to nurture the seedlings to adulthood.

When outdoor temperatures warm up, you may be able to direct-sow seeds in outdoor containers or in the ground, depending on the type of plant you want to grow.

Not Labeling The Seeds

Label the seed containers as you sow to be able to identify seedlings as they grow and to know when they will be ready for transplanting.

Use popsicle sticks or plastic plant markers and permanent ink pens to record the plant name and date sown for each type of seed sown. Insert the plant labels into the soil near the container or tray’s edge.

Final Verdict

When looking for plants that grow quickly, you have two options: fancy plants that add to the aesthetics of the place or plants that are more on the basic side of gardening.

If you go with the latter option, you can try growing vegetables like peas, beans, and radishes. These grow quickly and are simple to care for.

Another frequently asked question on gardening online forums is whether it is better to soak seeds before planting them. It is said that soaking the seeds beforehand can often trigger the germination or seed growing process.

It is important to note that seeds should not be soaked for more than 24 hours. Also, avoid using too much water, as this increases the risk of seeds drowning.

Don’t be disheartened if your first attempt at seed growing doesn’t result in a slew of thriving plants. It takes time and patience to learn how to germinate seeds consistently.

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