There are a number of factors that trigger seeds to germinate just at the right time to enhance their survival. All seeds need moisture and oxygen to germinate, and the preferred soil temperature varies from plant to plant. In addition, some seeds need cold stratification, scarification, darkness or light. If these factors are not in place, germination will not occur, or if it does, it will be lower than expected.
As a rule, smaller seeds require light to germinate, but as always, check the seed packet for detailed instructions, and remember that some will require cold stratification prior to sowing.
Common name |
Scientific name |
|
| African daisy | Osteospermum spp. |  |
| Alyssum | Lobularia maritima |  |
| Amethyst flower | Browallia spp. |  |
| Baby’s breath | Gypsophila spp. |  |
| Balloon flower | Platycodon grandiflorus |  |
| Basket of gold | Alyssum montamum |  |
| Bee balm | Monarda didyma |  |
| Begonia | Begonia spp. |  |
| Bellflower | Campanula spp. |  |
| Bells-of-Ireland | Moluccella laevis |  |
| Black-eyed-Susan | Rudbeckia hirta |  |
| Blanket flower | Gailardia x grandiflora |  |
| Butterfly weed | Asclepias tuberosa |  |
| Candytuft | Iberis spp. |  |
| Canterbury bells | Campanula medium |  |
| Chamomile | Matricaria chamomilla |  |
| Chinese lantern | Physalis alkekengi |  |
| Coleus | Coleus spp. |  |
| Columbine | Aquilegia spp. |  |
| Cornflower | Centaurea cyanus |  |
| Cosmos | Cosmos bipinnatus |  |
| Echinacea | Echinacea spp. |  |
| English daisy | Bellis perennis |  |
| Evening primrose | Oenothera spp. |  |
| Everlasting | Helichrysum bracteatum |  |
| Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium |  |
| Flossflower | Ageratum houstonianum |  |
| Foxglove | Digitalis spp. |  |
| Geranium | Pelargonium domesticum |  |
| Gerbera | Gerbera spp. |  |
| Geum | Geum spp. |  |
| Gloxinia | Sinningia speciosa |  |
| Goldenrod | Solidago spp. |  |
| Goldentuft | Aurinia saxatilis |  |
| Hollyhock | Alcea rosea |  |
| Iceland poppy | Papaver nudicaule |  |
| Impatiens | Impatiens spp. |  |
| Jacob’s ladder | Polemonium spp. |  |
| Lady’s purse | Calceolaria spp. |  |
| Lavender | Lavandula spp. |  |
| Leopard plant | Ligularia spp. |  |
| Leopard’s bane | Doronicum cordatum |  |
| Lisianthus | Eustoma grandiflorum |  |
| Livingstone daisy | Dorotheanthus bellidiformis |  |
| Lobelia | Lobelia spp. |  |
| Mexican creeping zinnia | Sanvitali procumbens |  |
| Mexican sunflower | Tithonia spp. |
 |
| Mignonette | Reseda odorata |  |
| Monkey flowers | Mimulus spp. |  |
| Musk mallow | Malva moschata |  |
| Ornamental cabbage | Brassica oleracea acephala |  |
| Pearly everlasting | Anaphalis margaritacea |  |
| Petunia | Petunia spp. |  |
| Poppy | Papaver spp. |
|
| Portulaca | Portulaca spp. |  |
| Primrose | Primula spp. |  |
| Purple rock cress | Aubrieta deltoidea |  |
| Rock cress | Arabis spp. |  |
| Salad rocket | Eruca vesicaria sativa |  |
| Satin flower | Clarkia amoena |  |
| Sea holly | Eryngium spp. |  |
| Shasta daisy | Leucanthemum × superbum |  |
| Shooting star | Dodecatheon meadia |  |
| Snapdragon | Antirrhinum majus |  |
| Snow in summer | Cerastium tomentosum |  |
| Speedwell | Veronica spp. |  |
| Spider flower | Cleome spinosa |  |
| Stock | Matthiola incana |  |
| Strawflower | Helichrysum bracteatum |  |
| Tickseed | Coreopsis grandiflora |  |
| Trumpet flower | Incarvillea spp. |  |
| Twinspur | Diascia spp. |  |
| Virginia stock | Malcolmia maritima |  |
| Wishbone flower | Torenia fournier |  |
| Wormwood | Artemisia vulgaris |  |
| Xeranthemum | Xeranthemum annuum |  |
| Yarrow | Achillea spp. |  |
Julia is a writer and landscape consultant from Wollongong with a love of horticulture. She had been an avid gardener for over 30 years, collects rare variegated plants and is a home orchardist. Julia is passionate about learning and sharing her knowledge of plant propagation and plant toxicology. Whether it’s giving advice on landscape projects or sharing tips on growing, Julia enjoys helping people make their gardens flourish.
