Skip to content
LoamChart

Home Seed Germination Time Chart

Seed Germination Time Chart

Days to germination for 100 vegetables, herbs and flowers. Nine soil temperatures from the UC Davis trials show why cold soil can turn a four-day wait into four weeks.

Download the chart
Figure 1. Seed germination time chart poster: days to germination for 100 vegetables, herbs and flowers, with best soil temperatures, the measured UC Davis temperature table, sowing depths and seed life.

Contents

  1. 1From dry seed to true leaves
  2. 2Soil temperature sets the pace
  3. 3The seed library
  4. 4How deep to sow
  5. 5Days to germination by soil temperature
  6. 6The paper towel test
  7. 7Six tricks that speed things up
  8. Sources and notes

1.From dry seed to true leaves

A snap bean in warm soil, around 75°F. Drag the slider or press play to see what happens underground before you ever see a sprout.

Bean seed germination, day 0 after sowing: dry seed stageBean seed germination, day 2 after sowing: imbibition stageBean seed germination, day 4 after sowing: radicle stageBean seed germination, day 6 after sowing: hypocotyl hook stageBean seed germination, day 8 after sowing: emergence stageBean seed germination, day 10 after sowing: true leaves stage
Figure 2. A snap bean in cross-section, two days apart from sowing to first true leaves.
0days after sowing
Dry seed

A dormant bean waits underground. Nothing happens until it has both water and warmth.

0246810

2.Soil temperature sets the pace

Days from sowing until seedlings appear for all 100 crops. 24 were measured at nine constant soil temperatures by J. F. Harrington at UC Davis; the other 76 are estimated from each crop’s best and minimum soil temperature. Slide the thermometer and watch the order change.

77°F25°C soil

At 77°F, turnip is up first in 1.4 days; lavender takes 19 (estimated). 1 of 100 barely sprouts at all.

measured (UC Davis)~ estimatedcrop with lab data

100 crops · 24 measured, 76 estimated

Turnip seedTurnip1.4 d
Lettuce seedLettuce2.2 d
Radish seedRadish3.5 d
Onion seedOnion3.6 d
Cucumber seedCucumber4 d
Melon seedMelon4 d
Mustard greens seedMustard greens~4 d
Sweet corn seedSweet corn4 d
Cabbage seedCabbage4.5 d
Watermelon seedWatermelon4.7 d
Beet seedBeet5 d
Bok choy seedBok choy~5 d
Broccoli seedBroccoli~5 d
Collards seedCollards~5 d
Kale seedKale~5 d
Kohlrabi seedKohlrabi~5 d
Zinnia seedZinnia~5 d
Zucchini seedZucchini~5 d
Spinach seedSpinach5.1 d
Cauliflower seedCauliflower5.2 d
Arugula seedArugula~5.5 d
Marigold seedMarigold~5.5 d
Tomato seedTomato5.9 d
Brussels sprouts seedBrussels sprouts~6 d
Carrot seedCarrot6.2 d
Pea seedPea6.2 d
Basil seedBasil~6.5 d
Edamame seedEdamame~6.5 d
Endive seedEndive~6.5 d
Lima bean seedLima bean6.5 d
Popcorn seedPopcorn~6.5 d
Radicchio seedRadicchio~6.5 d
Rutabaga seedRutabaga~6.5 d
Sweet alyssum seedSweet alyssum~6.5 d
Swiss chard seedSwiss chard~6.5 d
Tomatillo seedTomatillo~6.5 d
Cosmos seedCosmos~8 d
Cowpea seedCowpea~8 d
Lentil seedLentil~8 d
Petunia seedPetunia~8 d
Scallion seedScallion~8 d
Squash and pumpkin seedSquash & pumpkin~8 d
Sunflower seedSunflower~8 d
Snap bean seedBean, snap8.1 d
Eggplant seedEggplant8.1 d
Pepper seedPepper8.4 d
Calendula seedCalendula~9 d
Catnip seedCatnip~9 d
Chickpea seedChickpea~9 d
Cumin seedCumin~9 d
Ground cherry seedGround cherry~9 d
Leek seedLeek~9 d
Lemon balm seedLemon balm~9 d
Luffa seedLuffa~9 d
Marjoram seedMarjoram~9 d
Peanut seedPeanut~9 d
Rhubarb seedRhubarb~9 d
Stevia seedStevia~9 d
Nasturtium seedNasturtium~10 d
Asparagus seedAsparagus10 d
Borage seedBorage~11 d
Chamomile seedChamomile~11 d
Chives seedChives~11 d
Cilantro seedCilantro~11 d
Cornflower seedCornflower~11 d
Fava bean seedFava bean~11 d
Fennel seedFennel~11 d
Mache seedMâche~11 d
Oregano seedOregano~11 d
Salsify seedSalsify~11 d
Snapdragon seedSnapdragon~11 d
Sorrel seedSorrel~11 d
Summer savory seedSummer savory~11 d
Thyme seedThyme~11 d
Hot pepper seedHot pepper~11 d
Morning glory seedMorning glory~11 d
Black eyed susan seedBlack-eyed Susan~12 d
Mint seedMint~12 d
Shiso seedShiso~12 d
Okra seedOkra13 d
Anise seedAnise~13 d
Caraway seedCaraway~13 d
Chervil seedChervil~13 d
Dill seedDill~13 d
Feverfew seedFeverfew~13 d
Garlic chives seedGarlic chives~13 d
Pansy seedPansy~13 d
Parsley seedParsley13 d
Sage seedSage~13 d
Artichoke seedArtichoke~14 d
Malabar spinach seedMalabar spinach~14 d
Parsnip seedParsnip15 d
Lovage seedLovage~16 d
Lemongrass seedLemongrass~16 d
Poppy seedPoppy~16 d
Sweet pea seedSweet pea~16 d
Rosemary seedRosemary~17 d
Celeriac seedCeleriac~19 d
Lavender seedLavender~19 d
Celery seedCelerywon’t sprout

Figure 3. Days to emergence at the chosen soil temperature, fastest first. Bars run from 0 to 30 days; an arrow marks a longer wait.

3.The seed library

Search or filter 100 vegetables, herbs and flowers. Turn on true size to see every seed at the same scale: a petunia seed is a speck of dust next to a fava bean.

Showing 100 of 100 seeds

10 mm
Vegetable

Lettuce

Daisy family
fast
Lettuce seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
2–8 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 32°F
Sow depthsurface to ¼ in needs light
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Radish

Cabbage family
fast
Radish seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
3–6 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Cucumber

Gourd family
fast
Cucumber seed, about 9 mm long9 mm
Sprouts in
3–7 days
Best soil
65–95°F · min 60°F
Sow depth½–1 in
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Mustard greens

Cabbage family
fast
Mustard greens seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
3–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Turnip

Cabbage family
fast
Turnip seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
3–7 days
Best soil
60–95°F · min 40°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Melon

Gourd family
fast
Melon seed, about 9 mm long9 mm
Sprouts in
3–8 days
Best soil
75–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth½–1 in
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Watermelon

Gourd family
fast
Watermelon seed, about 8 mm long8 mm
Sprouts in
3–8 days
Best soil
75–95°F · min 60°F
Sow depth½–1 in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Bok choy

Cabbage family
fast
Bok choy seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Broccoli

Cabbage family
fast
Broccoli seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Cabbage

Cabbage family
fast
Cabbage seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Collards

Cabbage family
fast
Collards seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Kale

Cabbage family
fast
Kale seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Kohlrabi

Cabbage family
fast
Kohlrabi seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Squash & pumpkin

Gourd family
fast
Squash & pumpkin seed, about 15 mm long15 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
85–95°F · min 60°F
Sow depth1–1½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Sweet corn

Grass family
fast
Sweet corn seed, about 10 mm long10 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
65–95°F · min 50°F
Sow depth1–2 in
Seed life2 yr
Flower

Zinnia

Daisy family
fast
Zinnia seed, about 8 mm long8 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
70–80°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Zucchini

Gourd family
fast
Zucchini seed, about 13 mm long13 mm
Sprouts in
4–7 days
Best soil
70–95°F · min 60°F
Sow depth1 in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Onion

Onion family
medium
Onion seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
4–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 32°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life1 yr
Vegetable

Arugula

Cabbage family
fast
Arugula seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
5–7 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Marigold

Daisy family
fast
Marigold seed, about 10 mm long10 mm
Sprouts in
5–7 days
Best soil
70–80°F · min 50°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Brussels sprouts

Cabbage family
fast
Brussels sprouts seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
5–8 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life4 yr
Herb

Basil

Mint family
medium
Basil seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Beet

Amaranth family
medium
Beet seed, about 4.5 mm long4.5 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth½–1 in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Cauliflower

Cabbage family
medium
Cauliflower seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Edamame

Legume family
medium
Edamame seed, about 8 mm long8 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 50°F
Sow depth1 in
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Endive

Daisy family
medium
Endive seed, about 2.5 mm long2.5 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life5 yr
Vegetable

Popcorn

Grass family
medium
Popcorn seed, about 8 mm long8 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–95°F · min 50°F
Sow depth1–2 in
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Radicchio

Daisy family
medium
Radicchio seed, about 2.5 mm long2.5 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Rutabaga

Cabbage family
medium
Rutabaga seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
60–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Spinach

Amaranth family
medium
Spinach seed, about 3.5 mm long3.5 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 32°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Sweet alyssum

Cabbage family
medium
Sweet alyssum seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 45°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Swiss chard

Amaranth family
medium
Swiss chard seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth½–1 in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Tomatillo

Nightshade family
medium
Tomatillo seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Tomato

Nightshade family
medium
Tomato seed, about 3.5 mm long3.5 mm
Sprouts in
5–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 50°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Bean, snap

Legume family
medium
Bean, snap seed, about 13 mm long13 mm
Sprouts in
6–10 days
Best soil
75–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth1–1½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Pea

Legume family
medium
Pea seed, about 7 mm long7 mm
Sprouts in
6–10 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 40°F
Sow depth1–2 in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Eggplant

Nightshade family
medium
Eggplant seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
6–12 days
Best soil
75–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Carrot

Carrot family
slow
Carrot seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
6–21 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Calendula

Daisy family
medium
Calendula seed, about 12 mm long12 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in needs dark
Seed life4 yr
Herb

Catnip

Mint family
medium
Catnip seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Cosmos

Daisy family
medium
Cosmos seed, about 10 mm long10 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Cowpea

Legume family
medium
Cowpea seed, about 9 mm long9 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth1 in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Lentil

Legume family
medium
Lentil seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 40°F
Sow depth1 in
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Petunia

Nightshade family
medium
Petunia seed, about 0.3 mm long0.3 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
70–80°F · min 65°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Scallion

Onion family
medium
Scallion seed, about 2.5 mm long2.5 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 32°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life1 yr
Flower

Sunflower

Daisy family
medium
Sunflower seed, about 12 mm long12 mm
Sprouts in
7–10 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 50°F
Sow depth1 in
Seed life4 yr
Flower

Nasturtium

Nasturtium family
medium
Nasturtium seed, about 8 mm long8 mm
Sprouts in
7–12 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 55°F
Sow depth½–1 in needs dark
Seed life5 yr
Herb

Borage

Borage family
slow
Borage seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Chamomile

Daisy family
slow
Chamomile seed, about 0.6 mm long0.6 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 50°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Chervil

Carrot family
slow
Chervil seed, about 6 mm long6 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
50–65°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life1 yr
Vegetable

Chickpea

Legume family
slow
Chickpea seed, about 9 mm long9 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 45°F
Sow depth1–2 in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Chives

Onion family
slow
Chives seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life1 yr
Herb

Cilantro

Carrot family
slow
Cilantro seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
55–70°F · min 45°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life2 yr
Flower

Cornflower

Daisy family
slow
Cornflower seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Cumin

Carrot family
slow
Cumin seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
70–80°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Fava bean

Legume family
slow
Fava bean seed, about 20 mm long20 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth1–2 in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Fennel

Carrot family
slow
Fennel seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 50°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Ground cherry

Nightshade family
slow
Ground cherry seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Leek

Onion family
slow
Leek seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 45°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life1 yr
Herb

Lemon balm

Mint family
slow
Lemon balm seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Lima bean

Legume family
slow
Lima bean seed, about 22 mm long22 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
75–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth1–1½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Luffa

Gourd family
slow
Luffa seed, about 12 mm long12 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
70–90°F · min 65°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Mâche

Honeysuckle family
slow
Mâche seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
50–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life4 yr
Herb

Marjoram

Mint family
slow
Marjoram seed, about 0.8 mm long0.8 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Okra

Mallow family
slow
Okra seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
70–95°F · min 60°F
Sow depth½–1 in
Seed life2 yr
Herb

Oregano

Mint family
slow
Oregano seed, about 0.6 mm long0.6 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Peanut

Legume family
slow
Peanut seed, about 12 mm long12 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
70–90°F · min 65°F
Sow depth1–2 in
Seed life1 yr
Vegetable

Pepper

Nightshade family
slow
Pepper seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–95°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Rhubarb

Knotweed family
slow
Rhubarb seed, about 10 mm long10 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–75°F · min 45°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Salsify

Daisy family
slow
Salsify seed, about 12 mm long12 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life1 yr
Flower

Snapdragon

Plantain family
slow
Snapdragon seed, about 0.5 mm long0.5 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Sorrel

Knotweed family
slow
Sorrel seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Herb

Stevia

Daisy family
slow
Stevia seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
70–75°F · min 60°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life1 yr
Herb

Summer savory

Mint family
slow
Summer savory seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 50°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Thyme

Mint family
slow
Thyme seed, about 0.6 mm long0.6 mm
Sprouts in
7–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 50°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Black-eyed Susan

Daisy family
slow
Black-eyed Susan seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
7–21 days
Best soil
70–75°F · min 60°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Herb

Dill

Carrot family
slow
Dill seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
7–21 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 45°F
Sow depthsurface to ¼ in needs light
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Hot pepper

Nightshade family
slow
Hot pepper seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
7–21 days
Best soil
75–90°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life2 yr
Flower

Morning glory

Bindweed family
slow
Morning glory seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
7–21 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Sage

Mint family
slow
Sage seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
7–21 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 50°F
Sow depth1/8 in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Shiso

Mint family
slow
Shiso seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
7–21 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life1 yr
Herb

Anise

Carrot family
slow
Anise seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 55°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life2 yr
Herb

Caraway

Carrot family
slow
Caraway seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 45°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life2 yr
Herb

Feverfew

Daisy family
slow
Feverfew seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 50°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Herb

Garlic chives

Onion family
slow
Garlic chives seed, about 3 mm long3 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life1 yr
Flower

Pansy

Violet family
slow
Pansy seed, about 1.5 mm long1.5 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
65–70°F · min 45°F
Sow depth1/8 in needs dark
Seed life2 yr
Flower

Poppy

Poppy family
slow
Poppy seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
55–65°F · min 40°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Flower

Sweet pea

Legume family
slow
Sweet pea seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
10–14 days
Best soil
55–65°F · min 40°F
Sow depth1 in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Mint

Mint family
slow
Mint seed, about 0.6 mm long0.6 mm
Sprouts in
10–15 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Vegetable

Artichoke

Daisy family
slow
Artichoke seed, about 7 mm long7 mm
Sprouts in
10–21 days
Best soil
70–80°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life4 yr
Vegetable

Asparagus

Asparagus family
slow
Asparagus seed, about 4 mm long4 mm
Sprouts in
10–21 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 50°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Lovage

Carrot family
slow
Lovage seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
10–21 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 45°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life1 yr
Vegetable

Malabar spinach

Basella family
slow
Malabar spinach seed, about 5 mm long5 mm
Sprouts in
10–21 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 65°F
Sow depth¼–½ in
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Celeriac

Carrot family
slow
Celeriac seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
14–21 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Vegetable

Celery

Carrot family
slow
Celery seed, about 1 mm long1 mm
Sprouts in
14–21 days
Best soil
60–70°F · min 40°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life3 yr
Herb

Lemongrass

Grass family
slow
Lemongrass seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
14–21 days
Best soil
70–85°F · min 60°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life1 yr
Herb

Rosemary

Mint family
slow
Rosemary seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
14–21 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 55°F
Sow depth1/8 in
Seed life1 yr
Herb

Lavender

Mint family
slow
Lavender seed, about 2 mm long2 mm
Sprouts in
14–28 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 55°F
Sow depthon the surface needs light
Seed life2 yr
Herb

Parsley

Carrot family
slow
Parsley seed, about 2.5 mm long2.5 mm
Sprouts in
14–28 days
Best soil
65–85°F · min 40°F
Sow depth¼ in
Seed life1 yr
Vegetable

Parsnip

Carrot family
slow
Parsnip seed, about 6 mm long6 mm
Sprouts in
14–28 days
Best soil
65–75°F · min 32°F
Sow depth½ in
Seed life1 yr

4.How deep to sow

Big seeds go deep and tiny seeds stay shallow, because a seed carries just enough food to reach daylight. Pick any of the 100 crops to drop its seed to the right depth; the faded seeds are common crops for comparison.

Cross-section of garden soil under a seed tray rim, used to show how deep to sow each seed
Lettuce seed sown surface to ¼ in
Carrot seed sown ¼ in
Tomato seed sown ¼–½ in
Radish seed sown ½ in
Cucumber seed sown ½–1 in
Pea seed sown 1–2 in
Bean, snap seed sown 1–1½ in
Squash & pumpkin seed sown 1–1½ in
Sweet corn seed sown 1–2 in
Tomato seed at its sowing depth, ¼–½ in
Figure 4. Garden soil in cross-section, with the depth in inches on the left. The dashed line marks the chosen depth: Tomato, ¼–½ in.
¼–½ in
Tomato Usually sown indoors in a tray, then transplanted.
Rule of thumbSow 2–3× as deep as the seed is wide.Sow a little shallower in heavy or cold spring soil, a little deeper in light, sandy or dry soil.

5.Days to germination by soil temperature

A seed germination temperature table for all 100 crops. Solid cells are Harrington’s lab measurements (24 crops, marked with a dot); hatched cells are estimates. Hover any cell for the figure, and click a column heading to load that temperature into the race above.

Table 1. Days from sowing to emergence at nine constant soil temperatures. The outlined cell is each crop’s fastest.

Crop
Aniselittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~28~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Artichokelittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~18~14~15~23~37
Arugulalittle or no germination~21~12~6~6~6~8~13little or no germination
Asparaguslittle or no germinationlittle or no germination53241510121928
Basillittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~9~7~7~9~14
Bean, snaplittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination1611866little or no germination
Beetlittle or no germination4217106555~14
Black-eyed Susanlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~15~12~16~25little or no germination
Bok choylittle or no germination~19~11~5~5~5~5~7~11
Boragelittle or no germination~35~20~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Broccolilittle or no germination~19~11~5~5~5~5~7~11
Brussels sproutslittle or no germination~23~13~6~6~6~6~8~13
Cabbagelittle or no germination~19159654~7~11
Calendulalittle or no germination~30~17~9~8~9~14~23little or no germination
Carawaylittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~30~12~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Carrotlittle or no germination5117107669little or no germination
Catniplittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~20~8~9~14~23little or no germination
Cauliflowerlittle or no germination~252010655~9~14
Celeriaclittle or no germination~61~35~17~16~19~29~47little or no germination
Celerylittle or no germination4116127little or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination
Chamomilelittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~37~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Chervillittle or no germination~33~9~9~10~13~22little or no germinationlittle or no germination
Chickpealittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~25~10~9~9~13~21little or no germination
Chiveslittle or no germination~35~20~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Cilantrolittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~20~9~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Collardslittle or no germination~19~11~5~5~5~5~7~11
Cornflowerlittle or no germination~35~20~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Cosmoslittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~11~8~8~11~17
Cowpealittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~11~8~8~11~17
Cucumberlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination136433~6
Cuminlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~12~9~10~16~26
Dilllittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~30~12~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Edamamelittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~26~12~7~7~7~9~14
Eggplantlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination1385~10~17
Endivelittle or no germination~25~14~7~7~7~9~15little or no germination
Fava beanlittle or no germination~35~20~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Fennellittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~37~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Feverfewlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~45~21~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Garlic chiveslittle or no germination~43~24~12~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Ground cherrylittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~12~9~9~12~19
Hot pepperlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~23~11~11~12~18
Kalelittle or no germination~19~11~5~5~5~5~7~11
Kohlrabilittle or no germination~19~11~5~5~5~5~7~11
Lavenderlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~45~18~19~25~41little or no germination
Leeklittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~28~14~9~9~13~21little or no germination
Lemon balmlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~23~9~9~13~21little or no germination
Lemongrasslittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~21~16~16~21~34
Lentillittle or no germination~30~17~9~8~8~11~18little or no germination
Lettuce491574323little or no germinationlittle or no germination
Lima beanlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination311877little or no germination~19
Lovagelittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~36~14~14~16~24~39little or no germination
Luffalittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~15~9~9~10~15
Mâchelittle or no germination~33~9~9~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Malabar spinachlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~22~14~14~18~28
Marigoldlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~23~13~7~6~6~10~16
Marjoramlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~23~9~9~13~21little or no germination
Melonlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination843~6~10
Mintlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~29~12~12~16~26little or no germination
Morning glorylittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~15~11~11~15~24
Mustard greenslittle or no germination~16~9~5~4~4~4~6~9
Nasturtiumlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~21~9~10~15~25little or no germination
Okralittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination271713767
Onion1363113754413little or no germination
Oreganolittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~23~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Pansylittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~34~18~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Parsleylittle or no germination~702917141312~24~39
Parsnip172572719141532little or no germinationlittle or no germination
Pealittle or no germination36149866~16little or no germination
Peanutlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~15~9~9~10~15
Pepperlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination2513889little or no germination
Petunialittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~13~8~9~14~22
Popcornlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~26~12~7~7~7~7~8
Poppylittle or no germination~42~19~11~12~16~27little or no germinationlittle or no germination
Radicchiolittle or no germination~25~14~7~7~7~9~15little or no germination
Radishlittle or no germination29116443~5~8
Rhubarblittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~25~10~9~9~13~21little or no germination
Rosemarylittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~40~16~17~22~36little or no germination
Rutabagalittle or no germination~25~14~7~7~7~7~9~14
Sagelittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~45~21~11~13~20~33little or no germination
Salsifylittle or no germination~35~20~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Scallion~32~23~16~10~8~8~8~11~17
Shisolittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~28~11~12~16~25little or no germination
Snapdragonlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~23~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Sorrellittle or no germination~35~20~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Spinach6323127656little or no germinationlittle or no germination
Squash & pumpkinlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~14~8~5~5~6
Stevialittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~12~9~13~21little or no germination
Summer savorylittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~37~17~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Sunflowerlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~32~18~9~8~8~11~17
Sweet alyssumlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~18~7~7~7~9~15little or no germination
Sweet cornlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination22127443little or no germination
Sweet pealittle or no germination~42~19~11~12~16~27little or no germinationlittle or no germination
Swiss chardlittle or no germination~25~16~9~7~7~7~9~14
Thymelittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~37~10~9~11~17~27little or no germination
Tomatillolittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~9~7~7~9~14
Tomatolittle or no germinationlittle or no germination43148669little or no germination
Turniplittle or no germinationlittle or no germination5321113
Watermelonlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination12543~6
Zinnialittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~7~5~6~9~14
Zucchinilittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germinationlittle or no germination~7~5~5~5~6
1–3 days4–67–910–1415–3031+little or no germinationestimate· not tested

6.The paper towel test

Seed loses vigor with age. Ten seeds and a damp towel tell you whether a packet is still worth sowing.

Damp paper towel with ten bean seeds; eight have sprouted roots, two are mouldy
Figure 5. Ten bean seeds after a few days on a damp towel: eight have roots, so the packet tests at 80%.
  1. Roll 10 seeds in a damp paper towel.
  2. Seal it in a bag and keep it warm, 70–80°F.
  3. Check after the crop's usual sprouting time.
  4. Count the seeds with a root: each one is 10%.

Your test

80%
8 of 10 sprouted
80–100%: sow as normal.

How long a packet stays good in cool, dry storage

5years · 8
Basil seedBasilCollards seedCollardsCucumber seedCucumberEndive seedEndiveLettuce seedLettuceMelon seedMelonNasturtium seedNasturtiumRadish seedRadish
4years · 23
Artichoke seedArtichokeBeet seedBeetBrussels sprouts seedBrussels sproutsCabbage seedCabbageCalendula seedCalendulaCauliflower seedCauliflowerEggplant seedEggplantFennel seedFennelKale seedKaleLuffa seedLuffaMache seedMâcheMustard greens seedMustard greensRadicchio seedRadicchioRutabaga seedRutabagaSorrel seedSorrelSquash and pumpkin seedSquash & pumpkinSunflower seedSunflowerSweet alyssum seedSweet alyssumSwiss chard seedSwiss chardTurnip seedTurnipWatermelon seedWatermelonZinnia seedZinniaZucchini seedZucchini
3years · 36
Arugula seedArugulaAsparagus seedAsparagusSnap bean seedBean, snapBok choy seedBok choyBorage seedBorageBroccoli seedBroccoliCarrot seedCarrotCatnip seedCatnipCeleriac seedCeleriacCelery seedCeleryChamomile seedChamomileChickpea seedChickpeaCornflower seedCornflowerCosmos seedCosmosCowpea seedCowpeaDill seedDillFava bean seedFava beanGround cherry seedGround cherryKohlrabi seedKohlrabiLemon balm seedLemon balmLentil seedLentilLima bean seedLima beanMalabar spinach seedMalabar spinachMarigold seedMarigoldMorning glory seedMorning gloryPea seedPeaPoppy seedPoppyRhubarb seedRhubarbSage seedSageSnapdragon seedSnapdragonSpinach seedSpinachSummer savory seedSummer savorySweet pea seedSweet peaThyme seedThymeTomatillo seedTomatilloTomato seedTomato
2years · 18
Anise seedAniseBlack eyed susan seedBlack-eyed SusanCaraway seedCarawayCilantro seedCilantroCumin seedCuminEdamame seedEdamameFeverfew seedFeverfewHot pepper seedHot pepperLavender seedLavenderMarjoram seedMarjoramMint seedMintOkra seedOkraOregano seedOreganoPansy seedPansyPepper seedPepperPetunia seedPetuniaPopcorn seedPopcornSweet corn seedSweet corn
1year · 15
Chervil seedChervilChives seedChivesGarlic chives seedGarlic chivesLeek seedLeekLemongrass seedLemongrassLovage seedLovageOnion seedOnionParsley seedParsleyParsnip seedParsnipPeanut seedPeanutRosemary seedRosemarySalsify seedSalsifyScallion seedScallionShiso seedShisoStevia seedStevia

7.Six tricks that speed things up

Pea seed

Pre-soak big seeds

Soak peas, beans, beets, chard and okra 4–12 hours in lukewarm water, then sow right away.

Snap bean seed

Scarify hard coats

Nick or sand tough coats (okra, sweet pea, morning glory, nasturtium) so water can get inside.

Parsley seed

Cold-stratify

Chill some seeds in damp sand in the fridge for 2–6 weeks. Lavender and echinacea need it.

Pepper seed

Give bottom heat

A heat mat at 75–85°F speeds peppers, tomatoes and eggplant. Remove it once they sprout.

Lettuce seed

Moist, not soggy

Keep the surface evenly damp: mist, or water from below under a dome or damp burlap.

Tomato seed

Stop damping-off

Use clean trays and fresh seed-starting mix, avoid overwatering, and give airflow and light.

Sources and notes

Heat-map values are rounded to whole days. Figures for the 74 crops beyond the original 26 are typical seed-packet figures and should be read as approximate; sprouting ranges and depths are typical extension and seed-packet figures, and varieties vary.

  1. J. F. Harrington, UC Davis Vegetable Crops (1954), as reproduced by UC ANR and Oregon State University Extension
  2. California Master Gardener Handbook (UC ANR 3382), Table 5.2
  3. Seed life: Knott’s Handbook, via University of Nebraska G2090
  4. Herbs and flowers: seed-packet sowing charts (e.g. Johnny’s Selected Seeds)