How To Collect Seeds From Lavender Plants

You can collect seeds from lavender plants once the flower spikes have finished blooming and turned brown and dry.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to collect seeds from lavender plants, the good news is that it’s a simple, satisfying process that lets you grow new lavender for free.
 
You just need to time it right, harvest the seed heads before they shatter, and store the seeds properly so they stay viable.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through exactly how to collect seeds from lavender plants, when to do it, and how to store them for the best results.
 
Let’s get into it.
 

When to Collect Seeds From Lavender Plants

Timing is everything when you want to collect seeds from lavender plants, so let’s start there.
 

1. Wait Until the Flowers Fade and Dry

The best time to collect seeds from lavender plants is after the blooms have faded and the flower spikes have turned brown.
 
This usually happens in late summer or early fall, depending on your climate and the variety you’re growing.
 
If you pick too early, the seeds won’t be mature enough to germinate.
 

2. Watch for the Seeds to Darken

As the flower heads dry, the tiny seeds inside will turn from green to a dark brown or black color.
 
That color change is your signal that the seeds are ripe and ready to collect from your lavender plants.
 

3. Beat the Seed Pods Opening

Lavender seed pods eventually split open and drop their seeds, so you want to harvest before that happens.
 
Once you see the pods starting to crack, it’s time to move fast if you want to collect seeds from lavender plants successfully.
 

How to Collect Seeds From Lavender Plants Step by Step

Now let’s get into the actual process of how to collect seeds from lavender plants.
 

1. Grab the Right Tools

You don’t need much to collect seeds from lavender plants, just a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears and a paper bag or a small bowl.
 
A tray or a sheet of paper also works well for catching any seeds that fall.
 

2. Snip the Dried Flower Spikes

Cut the dried flower spikes off the plant, leaving a short stem attached.
 
Place them directly into your paper bag or bowl so you don’t lose any seeds in the process.
 

3. Let Them Dry Further Indoors

Spread the cut spikes out on a tray or hang them upside down in a dry, well-ventilated spot for a week or two.
 
This extra drying time makes it much easier to collect seeds from lavender plants because the pods open more readily.
 

4. Rub the Flower Heads to Release the Seeds

Once everything is fully dry, gently rub the flower heads between your fingers over a bowl or tray.
 
The seeds will fall out, and you can shake the heads a few times to make sure you collect as many seeds from your lavender plants as possible.
 

5. Separate the Seeds From the Chaff

Pick out the larger bits of dried petals and stems, then gently blow on the mixture or use a fine sieve to separate the seeds.
 
You’ll be left with small, dark, oval-shaped seeds that are ready for storage.
 

How to Store Seeds From Lavender Plants

Once you’ve managed to collect seeds from lavender plants, you need to store them properly to keep them viable.
 

1. Use a Paper Envelope or Small Jar

Place your seeds in a paper envelope or a small, airtight jar.
 
Paper is great because it absorbs any leftover moisture, which helps prevent mold.
 

2. Label and Date the Container

Write the variety name and the date you collected the seeds on the container.
 
This matters because seeds you collect from lavender plants tend to lose viability after a year or two, so you’ll want to know how old they are.
 

3. Keep Them Cool and Dry

Store your seeds in a cool, dark, dry place, like a cupboard or a refrigerator.
 
Avoid anywhere humid or warm, since those conditions can ruin the seeds you worked so hard to collect from your lavender plants.
 

Tips for Success When You Collect Seeds From Lavender Plants

A few extra tips can make the whole process easier and more rewarding.
 

1. Choose Healthy Plants

Always collect seeds from lavender plants that are healthy, strong, and true to the variety you love.
 
Weak or diseased plants often pass on poor traits to the next generation.
 

2. Expect Some Variety

Seeds you collect from lavender plants won’t always grow into exact copies of the parent plant, especially hybrids.
 
That’s part of the fun, but if you want identical plants, take cuttings instead.
 

3. Sow Within a Year or Two

For the best germination rates, sow the seeds within a year or two of collecting them.
 
The fresher they are, the more likely they’ll sprout into healthy new lavender plants.
 

So, How Do You Collect Seeds From Lavender Plants?

You collect seeds from lavender plants by letting the flower spikes dry on the plant, snipping them once the seeds darken, and then drying and rubbing the heads to release the seeds.
 
It’s a simple process that rewards you with free seeds for next season.
 
Just remember to time your harvest before the pods split, store the seeds somewhere cool and dry, and sow them within a year or two for the best results.
 
Now you know exactly how to collect seeds from lavender plants, so grab your scissors and get harvesting.