When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
If you are cultivating elderberries for commercial or personal harvest, growing elderberry from seed may not be the most efficient way to go. However, it’s very inexpensive and entirely possible as long as you bring patience to the job. Elderberry seed propagation is a bit more complex than the same procedure with other plants. Be sure to read up on how to proceed with elderberry seed growing to avoid disappointment. Read on for all the information you need to propagate elderberry seeds.
The American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a versatile shrub cherished for its nutritious berries beautiful flowers and environmental benefits. Growing elderberry shrubs from seeds can be highly rewarding for gardeners aiming to incorporate this hardy native plant into their landscapes. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of proper seed storage, sowing techniques, and tips for successful germination when propagating American elderberry shrubs from seeds.
Storing American Elderberry Seeds for Later Planting
Proper storage is crucial for maintaining elderberry seed viability and ensuring healthy germination when you are ready to sow them Here are some best practices for storing your collected or purchased elderberry seeds
-
Harvest ripe elderberry seeds in late summer or early fall when berries are plump and fully mature. Remove seeds from berries and clean off any pulp remnants.
-
Spread cleaned seeds in a single layer on paper towels or trays. Allow them to dry fully for 1-2 weeks in a well-ventilated, shaded spot.
-
Check seeds to confirm they are totally dry before storage. Any remaining moisture can encourage mold growth during storage.
-
Transfer extremely dry seeds to a sealed, airtight glass jar or plastic bag. Add a desiccant packet to absorb excess humidity.
-
Store in a cool (40-50°F), dark location. Consistent temperature is key for maintaining viability. Properly stored seeds stay usable for up to 2 years.
-
Refrigeration can help preserve seeds, but avoid freezing, which can damage seeds and lower germination rates. Monitor storage containers for condensation.
Sowing American Elderberry Seeds Indoors and Outdoors
Once you are ready to sow them, elderberry seeds can be planted both indoors to get a head start on the growing season or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Here are some sowing guidelines:
Indoor Sowing
-
Fill small starter pots or seed trays with a quality potting mix designed for seed starting. Moisten the soil before planting.
-
Plant seeds 1⁄4 inch deep in the soil. Elderberry seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover too deeply.
-
Water gently to settle seeds into the soil without oversaturating it. Keep soil consistently moist but not dripping wet.
-
Position pots or trays in a warm area with indirect light. Southern sun exposure is ideal. Cover with plastic to maintain humidity.
Outdoor Sowing
-
Prepare planting beds in early spring by removing weeds and amending soil with compost. Select a site with full sun exposure.
-
Sow seeds 1⁄4 inch deep and spaced 2 inches apart in rows or groups once frost danger has passed.
-
Water newly planted seeds well to establish good soil contact. Maintain even moisture in top inches of soil while seeds germinate.
-
Consider using row covers or plastic tunnels to boost warmth and humidity for outdoor-sown seeds. Remove covers once sprouts emerge.
-
Light mulching around seedlings is recommended to retain moisture and limit weed competition. Avoid over-mulching tiny sprouts.
Germinating Elderberry Seeds Successfully
Elderberry seeds are slow and sporadic germinators, often taking 1 to 3 months to sprout. Patience and close attention to key factors like warmth, moisture, and ventilation will help maximize your germination success when growing from seeds.
-
Ideal germination temperature is 70°F. Consider a heat mat or warm spot in your home to maintain 70+ degree soil temps.
-
Keep planting medium consistently moist but not saturated. Use a spray bottle for gentle misting to prevent drying out.
-
Good air circulation and ventilation helps prevent fungal issues in humid germination areas. Gentle fan movement is beneficial.
-
Check pots and planting beds regularly for sprout emergence. Look for first true leaves indicating germination was successful.
-
Transplant seedlings to larger pots or permanent growing positions once they are several inches tall and have 3-4 true leaves established.
-
Outdoors, thin seedlings or transplant extras to 12-18 inch spacing once established. Prune for shape in first years as shrubs mature.
Growing elderberries from seeds requires attentive care but offers unmatched reward. Follow these storage, sowing, and germination tips to successfully propagate American elderberry shrubs from seed. With a bit of patience and diligence, you’ll reap a bountiful elderberry harvest for years to come.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/growing-elderberry-sambucus-nigra-3269208-03-569a37c2313e45a2ab84eb79cc592792.jpg)
Growing Shrubs from Elderberry Seeds
Pretty and practical, elderberry shrubs (Sambucus spp.) decorate your yard with showy flowers that later become dark purple berries. The shrubs can be propagated from cuttings, which produce plants that are biologically identical to the parents.
It’s also possible to get new plants by growing elderberry from seed. For those who have elderberry plants already, it’s easy and free to obtain seeds since they are found in every berry. However, plants produced from elderberry seed growing may not look like the parent plant or produce berries at the same time since they are pollinated by other plants.
Elderberry seeds have a thick, tough seed coat and what botanists call “natural dormancy.” This means that the seeds must obtain optimal conditions before waking up from their deep sleep. In the case of elderberries, the seeds must be stratified twice. This is not difficult, but it takes time, up to seven months to complete.
The stratification required to start propagating elderberry from seed should mimic nature’s cycle. First, expose seeds to warm conditions – like the normal conditions found indoors – for several months. This is followed by winter temperatures for another three months.
Experts suggest you mix the seeds into a well-draining substrate like a mixture of compost and sharp sand. This should be moist but not wet and there should be enough to keep the seeds apart from one another.
Put the mixture and seeds into a large zip-lock bag and let it sit somewhere with temperatures of around 68 degrees F. (20 C.) for 10 to 12 weeks. After that, place it in the refrigerator at 39 degrees F. (4 C.) for 14 to 16 weeks. At this point, the seeds can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, keep moist and wait for the seedlings to appear. After a year or two, move them to their final location.
Grow ELDERBERRY at HOME!
FAQ
How to germinate American elderberry seeds?
How to store elderberry seeds?
Do elderberry seeds need cold stratification?
How to start elderberry seeds indoors?
Can you grow elderberry plants from seeds?
Yes, you can propagate elderberry plants from cuttings taken in the spring or fall. In conclusion, growing elderberry plants from seeds is a rewarding experience that requires patience and care. With this guide, you’ll be able to store, sow, and germinate elderberry plant seeds successfully.
How does elderberry grow?
It also grows from transplanted seedlings, cuttings, and rootstocks. Elderberry usually is not present in the understory of closed-canopy forests, and when fire occurs in these, regeneration occurs from seed banks that may occur between 2-10 cm deep in the soil, the seeds deposited from off-site dispersal or from plants of an earlier community.
How do you store elderberry seeds?
Here’s how you can store elderberry plant seeds: Remove the berries from the stem and crush them in a bowl or blender. Pour the mixture into a bowl of water and stir well. The seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl while the pulp and debris float to the top. Skim off the pulp and debris with a spoon.
How to harvest elderberry seeds?
To harvest elderberry seeds, gather bunches of berries and place them in a container. Next, rub and crush them until the seeds separate from the pulp. Afterward, cover the crushed berries in water and soak for at least a day. While soaking, mix occasionally. The seeds that aren’t good, as well as the pulp, will float to the top of the water.