How to collect atriplex seeds

How to collect orache seeds

Orache is a hardy annual bearing delicious, edible leaves. We show you how to collect its seeds.

A table displaying which months are best to sow, plant and harvest.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
To do
To do

Do not To do in January

Do not To do in February

Do not To do in March

Do not To do in April

Do not To do in May

Do not To do in June

Do not To do in July

Do To do in August

Do To do in September

Do not To do in October

Do not To do in November

Do not To do in December

Collecting seeds from the plants in your garden is an easy way to get new plants for free.

Orache, Atriplex hortensis, is a hardy annual from the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae. Red-leaved Atriplex hortensis var. rubra looks fantastic in a border setting, but it’s the leaves that really make it worth growing – they’re a tasty, healthy addition to salads.

If you’ve the space, a bed of hardy annuals like orache, cornflowers and California poppies will reward you with masses of summer colour, and provide plenty of pollen and nectar for pollinators. For smaller plots, try this summer pot for pollinators.

Follow these quick steps to collect orache seeds, below.

Atriplex (Atriplex hortensis), also called orache or arrach, is a hardy annual from the amaranth family, Amaranthaceae.
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You Will Need

  • Scissors, snips or secateurs
  • Paper bag or envelope

Step 1

Collect seed on a dry day, mid morning, once the dew has evaporated and snip off the whole seedheads rather than trying to remove individual seeds.

Snipping off orache seedhead
Snipping off orache seedhead

Step 2

Place the dry seedhead or shake the seeds into a paper bag, not polythene, to prevent mould.

Placing the orache seedhead into a paper bag
Placing the orache seedhead into a paper bag

Step 3

Label the bag so you remember what they are when it comes to sowing. Store in a cool dry place over winter, then sow direct in a sunny site next spring.

Labelling the orache seed bag
Labelling the orache seed bag
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