Sharing seeds from your garden is a wonderful way to spread your passion for native plants. You can also donate seeds to NPI for giveaways and to support other organizations’ events!
1. Observe Your Plants
Use the examples below as a guide, but remember that collection months are approximate. It's essential to monitor your plants closely.
2. Identify Your Plants Early
It's easiest to identify plants when they're flowering, as many species look similar once the flowers dry.
3. Timing is Key
Collect seeds when the stems holding the flower heads are brown and dry. This ensures that the seeds are mature and ready for harvest. Many plants bloom in succession so the seeds will be ready for harvest in succession as well.
4. Dry the Seeds Thoroughly
After collecting, allow seeds to dry completely to avoid mildew. Place flower heads in paper bags or spread them out on a flat surface to air-dry.
5. Store the Seeds Properly
Use paper packages like envelopes or small bags. If using plastic containers, make sure the seeds are completely dry. Always label your packages with the plant name and collection date.
Additional Resources
For more detailed information on seed collection for various native plants, visit the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
1. Seeds must be fully dry before being packed into paper bags or envelopes.
2. While it’s helpful to clean seed heads by removing leaves and non-seed material, this is not required.
3. Seeds must be correctly identified—NPI’s reputation depends on accurate labeling. If you're uncertain about the species, be sure to get an authoritative ID before donating.
4. Drop off or mail your seeds to NPI at 248 Brooklyn Avenue, Jefferson, LA 70121.
Winecups (Callirhoe species)
Collect most time of year. Some seeds may be ready while others are still blooming, so observe closely.
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)
Collect in late May. Seed heads turn brown when ripe. The dried bracts (which look like a brown skeleton of the flower) hang on to the plant for a long time, and the drier they are, the better for collecting and storing.
Columbine (Aquilegia species)
Collect in late May. After the flowers have been pollinated, the petals fall off and expose a tube-shaped green seed pod. When ready for collection, the seed pods turn brown and begin to open, exposing lots of shiny black seeds you can pour right into a paper bag.
Lance-leaved coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Collect in late May. Seeds spill easily from brown seed heads when ready.
Clasping coneflower (Dracopsis amplexicaulis)
Collect in June. Seed heads should be completely dry and shatter easily when raked with a fingernail.
Spiderwort (Tradescantia species)
Collect in June. Blooms dry gradually; allow the cluster to fully turn brown before harvesting seeds. Spiderworts are fleshy and seed pods and surrounding leaves can hold a lot of moisture. Lay clusters on a flat pan to dry thoroughly before storing in paper bags.
Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Collect in June. Wait until seed heads are fully brown or gray and easily shatter for collection.
Tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria)
Collect in June. Ensure seed heads are completely brown and dry before storing in paper bags.
Cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Collect from August through October. Once the entire stalk turns brown, cut and place in a paper bag to dry, shaking the bag to release seeds.