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Tropical Plant Germination & Planting Guide

Seeds have special germination and planting requirements that vary according to species. Tropical plants need conditions to mimic their natural habitat to have the best chance for propagation. Greenhouses are useful for simulating these conditions, but the home gardener can grow in a warm steamy bathroom for tropical forest seeds and in a location near a heater for dry desert tropical seeds. Planting medium is also an important consideration, as are the dormancy procedures. Dormancy is the state of rest needed to prevent the plant from growing right on its parent. There are several methods to break dormancy and encourage germination.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Bowl
  • File
  • Sandpaper
  • Peat moss
  • Sand
  • Heater
  • Seed warming mat
  • Plant mister
  • Grow light
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Instructions

    • 1

      Soak tropical seeds for as little as an hour up to 24 hours. Water must penetrate the seed coating to get to the embryo and encourage it to grow. Soaking helps soften the seed coating and will hasten germination.

    • 2

      Rough up the exterior of the seed husk, using a small file or even sandpaper. Thin it just enough for germination to take place but do not rub so hard that you penetrate to the interior of the seed. This invites rot and pathogens before the seed is planted.

    • 3

      Use a seedless mixture for germination. The chance of disease is lessened in this type of mix. A half-and-half composition of peat moss and sand is an excellent medium for germination of all types of seeds. It provides good soil retention while draining away excess. A medium that is too moist is a common cause of failed germination due to molds and rot.

    • 4

      Set the seed pots or flats on a seed warming mat and use a heater to keep temperatures of the soil at 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the ambient air at 70 degrees or higher. Tropical plants are native to warm climates and require evenly high temperatures. After germination, the temperatures can drop as much as 10 degrees.

    • 5

      Keep the seeds evenly moist. A plant mister is a way to do this without disturbing the seed. Many tropical seeds are sown on the surface of the medium, and anything but a fine mist would tend to bury them in mud.

    • 6

      Provide adequate light for the seeds. Most tropical plants need at least 12 hours of high light. Grow lights can provide this when positioned 8 to 12 inches above the pots or flats. However, some deep forest species that grow in the understory require near darkness. These can be in a dimly lit area until germination and then should be introduced to light gradually for photosynthesis to take place.

    • 7

      Wait. Many seeds readily germinate in less than two weeks, but it is not unusual for tropical seeds to need months or even up to three years for germination to take place. Each species is different, and you may have to be patient while the seed prepares itself to sprout.

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