How Long Does it Take for Columbine Seeds to Germinate?

Time Frame

• Once planted, columbine seeds germinate within 30 days. If you want to start seeds indoors, you'll need at least an additional 30 days. Purchase labeled columbine seeds since these plants do not come true from seed and if you tried to harvest columbine seeds from existing plants, you would not get the same flowers as the seeds' parents.

When to Start

• Either sow columbine seeds directly in your garden bed in early spring up until mid summer or start the seeds indoors. If sowing outdoors, place the seeds on the ground and do not cover them. The light helps them germinate quicker. If starting them indoors, sow the seeds in a seed tray filled with seed-starting medium then place the tray in the refrigerator. Refrigerate the seeds for three to four weeks before planting them outside.

Environment

• Gardeners in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 to 8 can grow columbine in the garden. These flowers enjoy either full sun or part shade and rich, well-draining soil. If grown in full sun, columbine will need regular water. Keep the garden bed moist but not soggy while the seeds are germinating then keep the garden bed saturated but not soggy once the plants have developed. Too much water can rot the seeds before they germinate.

Considerations

• Once planted, columbine will return each year. If you allow the plant to go to seed, new seeds can get deposited in your garden and grow. However, allowing the plant to go to seed shortens its lifespan. Columbine plants tend to need replacing every three to four years, evidenced by low flower production. Replace plants at this time and know that letting your flowers go to seed shortens their lifespan.