Adapted from the Indiana Native Plant Society
Before you get started.
- It is vital to the health of our ecosystems, and to our own survival, that we protect native plant species. When collecting native seeds for propagation, we should avoid overharvesting them and guard against introducing invasive species to their locations. In our zeal to grow native plants from seed, we must not damage plant populations and other wildlife that depend on them.
Identify the species.
- It is critical that you properly identify a plant species before collecting seeds. The best time to identify most plants is while they are in bloom.
- Harvest seed only when you have made certain it will not harm the long-term viability of a plant population in its native habitat. Be sure the target plant is not listed as rare, endangered, or threatened.
- The Biota of North America Program (BONAP) is a good place to see if a plant is rare in the state. For Ohio, the official list is found on the DNR website: https://ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/plants-trees/rare-plants
Collect at the right time.
- This is crucial to ensure successful germination. Know the time of year the seed should be ready, what the seed looks like when mature, and whether the seed pod or capsule dehisces (opens and expels), etc.
- It may take three or more trips to time the collecting right. The weather should be dry and warm and the fruits ready and abundant. For fruits, they must be ripe or past ripe. For pods, they should be dry on the stalk. For fluffy seeds that blow away or explode (dehisce), you may need to collect them before they’re fully dried. Allow them to dry completely before planting.
Observe the 5% rule.
- The 20 RULE: for every 20 seeds available, take just one (5%). Also, there must be at least 20 plants in a population before you collect any seeds.
- Even if you are wild collecting on your own property, collect no more than 5% of wild (as opposed to garden collected) seeds from an individual plant and 5% of the whole population.
- If collecting in a garden or prairie planting, consider the importance of letting some of the seed fall. This is especially important in prairie plantings, for they depend not only on the living plants but also on the “seed rain” that ripens and falls to the ground each year. Over-harvesting may disrupt the seed rain and, over time, impact the overall vitality of a natural space.
Not your land?
- If the plant is not on your land, make sure you have permission before collecting any native seed. Also, it is NOT PERMITTED to collect in national or state parks or in conservation lands. If collecting wild seed along roadways, remember that all property has an owner, even roadsides and places we think are vacant, and it is our responsibility to always make sure we know who the owners are and to always get permission.
Be vigilant and avoid “hitchhikers.”
- To avoid tracking unwanted seeds into new harvesting locations, remember to brush off the soles of your shoes, pant legs, and other clothing that might harbor seeds. If you are driving to the location, consider hosing down your vehicle and tires if you have previously driven off-road in other natural areas.