In the whimsical world of gardening, some plants simply demand more than a humble seed can offer.
These ten plants, while stunning and delightful, are notorious for their stubborn growth habits when started from seed.
Whether it’s due to their glacial growth rate, finicky environmental needs, or tedious germination processes, these plants are best left to the experts – or at the very least, to those with infinite patience.
Join us on this light-hearted exploration of 10 plants that might just sap your gardening enthusiasm if you decide to grow them from seed. Grab your gardening gloves, and let’s dig in!
1. Lavender
Lavender, that fragrant darling of the herb world, teases gardeners with its aromatic allure. Yet, those tiny seeds are trickier than they seem.
The fickle nature of lavender seeds demands endless patience, as they can take weeks to germinate, and even then, success is far from guaranteed.
The young seedlings are so delicate, they might make you question your green thumb. A lavender plant grown from seed may not even resemble the parent plant in terms of fragrance or color.
For a lush lavender garden, opt for established plants and let them work their aromatic magic instantly.
2. Blueberries
Blueberry seeds, oh what a challenge they present! These tiny seeds need a specific chill period to coax them out of dormancy, which isn’t always simple to achieve.
Blueberries grown from seed can take years before bearing fruit, and even then, the outcome might not meet your berry expectations.
The plants require acidic soil, which adds another layer of complexity. Purchasing young blueberry bushes ensures not only a faster harvest but also predictable fruit quality and size.
Save yourself the wait and savor the sweet, tangy delight of blueberries grown from established bushes instead.
3. Ornamental Grasses
Ornamental grasses are a visual delight in any garden, but starting them from seed? Not so much. These seeds often display erratic germination, leaving gardeners guessing which ones will sprout.
Furthermore, the time it takes for these grasses to mature can be a test of patience and gardening resolve.
Once grown, they demand regular maintenance to maintain their beauty. For instant garden drama and less hassle, it’s wise to buy these grasses as young plants.
They’ll reward you with their graceful movement and lush textures without the seed-induced suspense.
4. Wisteria
Wisteria, the enchanting climber, is infamous for its reluctance to grow from seed. These seeds can take years to produce a flowering plant, and the wait may not even guarantee those iconic cascading blooms.
Starting wisteria from seed can feel like waiting for a fairytale ending that never arrives.
With its vigorous growth habit, wisteria needs careful monitoring to prevent it from overwhelming other plants.
For an instant wisteria spectacle, purchasing a grafted plant is the way to go, letting you enjoy their majestic blooms without the marathon wait.
5. Boxwood
Boxwood, the quintessential garden hedge, laughs in the face of those who try to grow it from seed. Slow to germinate and even slower to establish, boxwood seeds require a gardener’s unyielding patience.
Even if you succeed, the growth rate is so sluggish that you’d be forgiven for forgetting you planted them at all.
Established boxwood plants are a much smarter choice, providing instant structure and elegance to gardens.
Skip the frustrating seed stage, and embrace the classic charm of these lush evergreens with ready-grown plants.
6. Peonies
Peonies, with their luxurious blossoms, are a gardener’s dream – until you try growing them from seed.
The seeds require a specific stratification process, mimicking winter conditions, which can take several years. This means a peony flower is a distant dream, not a near reality.
Even after all the waiting, seed-grown peonies might not retain the parent plant’s color and form.
For anyone craving their voluminous blooms now, purchasing mature peony plants is the shortcut to floral paradise. Let them grace your garden without the long wait of seed germination.
7. Asparagus
Asparagus, though a delicious perennial, tests the patience of even the most seasoned gardener when grown from seed.
The seeds take a long time to germinate and even longer to produce those tender, edible spears.
It could be three years before you enjoy a proper asparagus harvest. For those who crave this gourmet veggie on their plate sooner rather than later, starting with crowns or young plants is the smarter move.
They’ll reward you with fresh asparagus without the prolonged anticipation.
8. Citrus Trees
Citrus trees, bursting with zesty fruit, entice gardeners to grow them from seed, but the reality isn’t as sweet.
These seeds can lead to unpredictable results, often producing trees that vary significantly from the parent plant.
It might take years before they bear any fruit, leaving you with a sprawling tree but no citrus harvest.
Grafted citrus trees offer the promise of a reliable fruit crop and a quicker start to your citrus-growing journey. For those dreaming of fresh-squeezed juice, skip the seeds and go for a grafted tree.
9. Hostas
Hostas, the shade-loving foliage stars, prove to be a tough cookie when it comes to starting from seed. Germination is slow and can result in plants that look nothing like their parents.
The process can test your patience, as it takes years to achieve a mature, garden-ready plant.
Buying established hostas ensures you get the exact variety you love, with their striking leaf patterns and colors, ready to beautify your garden.
Skip the seed struggle and let these leafy wonders take center stage without delay.
10. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas, with their mophead blooms, are the showstoppers of any garden. But starting them from seed can be an exercise in frustration.
The seeds are tiny, requiring perfect conditions to germinate, and can take years to develop into flowering plants.
Opting for young hydrangea plants guarantees you’ll enjoy their spectacular blooms much sooner.
With their dazzling colors and lush growth, they transform your garden into a floral wonderland, bypassing the slow and often disappointing seed-growing route.