Planting Seeds Indoors With Cotton Balls

Seed Germination Necessities

• Seeds usually germinate within 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the normal indoor temperature range of homes. Moisture is the next vital step for seed sprouting. They need water but not too much. Oxygen deprivation in soggy conditions causes seeds to decompose. If allowed to dry out, seeds die when losing the accumulated moisture interrupts germination. Seed packages specify those that sprout in the dark and those that need light. Starting seeds indoors on cotton balls duplicates ideal germination requirements.

Seeds Suited for Cotton Balls

• Not all seeds are suited for indoor planting on cotton balls. Larger seeds may not absorb enough water from the cotton ball for germination. Bigger seeds, such as pinto beans, may only soak up moisture just sufficient for them to swell. Smaller seeds develop better on cotton balls without monitoring. Carrot, parsley, radish, onion, lettuce, turnip and tomato are seeds that sprout well on cotton balls.

Cotton Balls in a Glove

• Label each finger on a colored dish glove with the name of the seeds you place inside them. Dampen cotton balls in warm water. Dip the moist cotton balls in a bowl or dish full of the selected seeds so that less than 12 seeds stick to the cotton. Place the seeded cotton ball in the correctly labeled glove finger. Repeat with seeds in the rest of the fingers. Seal the opening with a paper clip or tie off. Seeds should sprout in the dark within a week. Plant the entire sprouted seeds on the cotton in soil.

Cotton Balls in a Covered Bowl

• A covered bowl may be more suitable for sprouting larger seeds such as corn, beans, sunflower or squash. When sprouting seeds requiring darkness to germinate, make sure both the bowl and the plate are not transparent. Loosely pack sufficient cotton balls filling the dish just short of the top. Moisten cotton balls with a spray bottle containing warm water. Place four or more seeds on the damp cotton balls. Cover the bowl with a plate slightly wider than the bowl's rim. Check for dampness every three to four days and spray more water when needed. Within seven to 10 days, transplant sprouts and cotton balls together in soil.