Grow with KARE: How to collect and store milkweed seeds for spring planting, by KARE 11 on YouTube. 1 min 56 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 56 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Wait until the seed pods turn brown and start to split. Green pods are not ripe, and the seeds inside will not sprout well.
Pick the pods on a dry day, before they burst open and the fluff blows away. Check the pods every few days as fall approaches.
Open each pod over a paper bag and pull out the brown seeds. The white fluff, called silk, comes with them.
Separate the seeds from the fluff by rubbing them gently between your fingers over the bag. Work indoors or on a still day so the silk does not scatter.
Let the cleaned seeds air dry on a paper towel for a day or two. Damp seeds can mold in storage.
Put the dry seeds in a paper envelope or a small paper bag. Paper lets them breathe, unlike a sealed plastic bag.
Label the envelope with the plant name and the date you collected the seeds.
Store the envelope in a cool, dry, dark place, such as a cupboard or the fridge, until spring.
Sow the seeds in spring after the last frost, or cold-stratify them in the fridge for about 30 days before planting.
Tips and common mistakes
Only collect from plants you can identify as milkweed, and leave plenty of pods so the patch can regrow.
Never seal milkweed seeds in plastic, since trapped moisture causes mold.
Milkweed sap can irritate skin and eyes, so wash your hands after handling pods and keep the sap away from your face.
Questions
When is the best time to collect milkweed seeds?
Late summer to early fall, once the pods are brown and beginning to split. Seeds from green pods are usually not ripe.
Do milkweed seeds need cold treatment before planting?
Many native milkweeds germinate better after a cold, moist period. You can sow them outdoors in fall or chill them in the fridge for about 30 days.
How long do stored milkweed seeds stay good?
Kept dry and cool in a paper envelope, seeds often stay viable for a year or more. Label them so you know the collection date.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
