Hostas are a popular perennial plant, prized for their beautiful foliage and ability to thrive in shade. Though hostas are typically propagated by division some gardeners enjoy growing hostas from seeds. However, many beginners wonder – what do hosta seeds look like?
In this article we’ll cover everything you need to know about identifying collecting, and growing hosta seeds.
Hostas are herbaceous perennials belonging to the Asparagaceae family There are over 45 species of hostas and thousands of cultivated varieties
These plants are native to northeast Asia, including Japan, Korea, northeast China, and the Russian Far East. Hostas were brought to Europe and North America in the 1800s and quickly gained popularity as a garden plant.
The main draw of hostas is their attractive foliage. Hosta leaves come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, ranging from blue-green to yellow. They add texture, contrast, and visual interest to the garden.
Hostas also produce spikes of tubular flowers in summer, typically in shades of purple or white. However, they are primarily grown for their leaves.
One of the best things about hostas is their shade tolerance. Many gardeners struggle to find plants that will thrive in shady spots. Hostas fit the bill perfectly, making them a staple of woodland gardens.
Why Hosta Seeds Are Uncommon
If you’ve browsed plant nurseries or seed catalogs, you may have noticed that hosta seeds are rarely offered for sale. This is because hostas do not “come true” from seeds.
When a plant comes true from seed, it means that the offspring will be identical to the parent plant. For example, if you plant a ‘Big Daddy’ hosta seed, you can expect the seedling to grow into a ‘Big Daddy’ hosta, matching the parent in terms of leaf color, shape, size, etc.
Unfortunately, hostas do not breed true. The seedlings from a ‘Big Daddy’ hosta seed are highly unlikely to look anything like ‘Big Daddy’. Their appearance is unpredictable.
This is why most hostas are propagated by division instead of seeds. Division ensures that the new plant is genetically identical to the original.
Some species like Hosta ventricosa come relatively true from seed, but most cultivated varieties do not. Growing hostas from seeds is a gamble.
Why Grow Hostas from Seeds?
If the offspring won’t resemble the parent plant, why bother growing hostas from seeds? Here are a few reasons hobbyist gardeners enjoy experimenting with hosta seeds:
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It’s fun to see what you get. The unpredictability itself makes growing hostas from seeds interesting. Some people enjoy the surprise factor.
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It’s the only way to create new varieties. Breeders use controlled pollination and selection over many generations to develop new cultivated varieties. Growing from seeds allows new traits to emerge.
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You may discover something unique. Once in a while, an exceptionally beautiful seedling pops up, offering the chance to introduce the next great hosta variety.
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Seeds are cheaper than buying plants. For the casual gardener who just wants to add a few hostas without spending much money, seeds offer an affordable option.
So if you don’t mind surprises and have patience for variation, go ahead and experiment with hosta seeds!
What Do Hosta Seeds Look Like?
Now let’s get into identifying hosta seeds. Here are the key features:
Color
Mature hosta seeds are typically black or very dark brown in color. Immature seeds may be lighter brown or even greenish.
The dark color comes from the seed coat. Beneath the coat, hosta seeds have a white embryo.
Size and Shape
Individual hosta seeds are small, only 1 to 3 millimeters long. They have a somewhat flattened oval shape.
Hosta seeds are contained in long, narrow seed pods that may reach 15 to 45 millimeters in length. Each pod contains 20 to 100 seeds.
Surface Features
Under magnification, hosta seeds have a ridged or wrinkled surface texture. They somewhat resemble alfalfa or oregano seeds.
Seed Pods
The seeds are enclosed in papery, brittle seed pods that split open when the seeds are mature. The pods emerge from spent hosta flowers on tall scapes.
When and How to Collect Hosta Seeds
Hosta seeds reach maturity around 4-8 weeks after the plant finishes flowering. Here are some tips for collection:
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Watch the seed pods carefully and harvest when the first ones begin cracking open. If you wait too long, seeds may drop from the pods and be lost.
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Collect seed pods into paper envelopes or bags – avoid plastic, which can trap moisture. Label each envelope with the hosta variety if known.
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You can remove the seeds from the pods right away by gently cracking them open over the envelope. Or store entire dried pods in envelopes and separate the seeds later.
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Spread seeds on a screen or newspaper to dry further if any moisture remains. Then transfer to envelopes for storage.
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Store seeds in a cool, dry place like a refrigerator or unheated basement over winter.
Planting and Caring for Hosta Seeds
Hosta seeds have a dormancy period and will not germinate until the following spring. In early spring, soak the seeds in water overnight before planting.
Hosta seeds can take 14 to 60 days or more to germinate, so patience is required. Use a seed starting mix and keep the soil moist but not saturated.
Transplant seedlings into the garden after they develop at least 2 sets of true leaves. Water regularly and apply mulch to conserve moisture.
It will take 2 to 5 years for the young hostas to mature enough to bloom and reveal their final form. Enjoy watching your homegrown hostas grow!
Final Thoughts
Growing hostas from seeds requires patience but can be an enjoyable hobby for the intrepid gardener. Now that you know what hosta seeds look like and how to collect them, it’s time to start your own hosta breeding project!
The seeds you nurture today could become the next prized hosta variety that fills future gardens with beauty. And even if they’re not award winners, it’s exciting to watch new hosta life emerge from those tiny, wrinkled seeds.
✿ Fun With The Pond
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How to Grow Hostas from Seed: From SEEDS to Germination!
FAQ
Are hostas hard to start from seed?
You can grow Hosta from seed. That’s how they produce hybrids. The seeds are round, hard, and a little smaller than a pea. They’re easy to sprout. But you’re right, the cool thing about Hosta is the ability to transplant genetically identical plants all over your garden.
How do you harvest seeds from hostas?
Hosta seeds are ready 30 days after pollination. Since most of you aren’t keeping a calendar the easiest way to tell is if the top seed pods on a hosta are dry and start to crack open. You can crack open the other seed pods to collect the seeds. The seeds will be black, dry, and papery when ready.
Can you plant hosta seeds directly in the ground?
Does hosta self seed?
Yes, hostas are capable of self-seeding, provided the right environment exists. However, not all hosta cultivars are fertile. Some of them may not produce viable seeds.