How to grow agapanthus from seed

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How to grow agapanthus from seed

BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Monday, 21 October 2019 at 1:51 pm

We take you through the easy process of growing agapanthus from seed.

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Agapanthus are easy to grow from seed and you may get flowering plants in as little as two years.

Collect seed when the seedhead is becoming brown and the capsules are starting to burst. If the weather is turning cold you can collect seed prematurely and store the whole seedhead in a paper bag, but it's preferable to let the seed ripen on the plant.

They are easy to grow, preferably sown fresh and pricked out individually next spring. With a bit of luck they should come to flower the following season.

Read our simple steps on growing agapanthus from seed, below.

You Will Need

Agapanthus plants
Seed trays
Seed-sowing compost
Sharp horticultural grit
Dibber
Modules or small pots

Step 1

Extracting agapanthus seeds from the seed pods

Extract the seeds from their pods. They should fall out easily. Sow them straight away.

Step 2

Covering the compost and seeds with grit

When you have sown the seeds, cover the compost with sharp grit.

Step 3

Pricking out seedlings from the compost tray

When seedlings have strong shoots and roots, knock them out of the tray and separate.

Step 4

Potting up the individual seedlings

Pot up seedlings individually into modules or small pots.

Step 5

Covering the surface of the compost with grit

Finish the surface of each pot with grit to retain moisture, keep down weeds and provide drainage around the crown of the plant.

If some seedlings are extra-special, select them and when they are big enough divide the plants to make more of your favourites.

Faux terracotta pot

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