How to Cold Stratify Seeds

A Beginner's Guide How to Stratify Seeds at Home

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Cold stratification is the most common method. Here’s a step-by-step guide.

Prep Time10

Active Time10

Total Time20

Cost: 3

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Equipment

Plastic bag or ziploc bag

Labels or markers

Refrigerator

Materials

Seeds
Moist paper towel or peat moss

Instructions

Prepare the Seeds. For small seeds, place them on a damp paper towel. For larger seeds, use a moist medium like sphagnum moss or peat moss.
Seeds, Moist paper towel or peat moss
Moisten the Medium. Add a few drops of water to create damp conditions—not soaking wet, as too much moisture can harm seed viability.
Seal and Label. Place the seeds and medium into a sandwich bag, ensuring it’s airtight. Label the bag with the seed name and start date.
Store in the Fridge. Place the bag in the fridge (not the freezer) to maintain a constant temperature of around 35–40°F.
Wait the Required Time. Check the seed packet or do research to determine the length of time needed for stratification. Some seeds need 2–3 weeks, while others require several months.

Notes

Alternative Methods for Stratification

Dry Stratification. For some species of plants, you can skip the moisture and simply store seeds in a dry, cool place.

Outdoor Stratification. Plant seeds in late fall, allowing nature to provide the cold treatment through the winter months.

For seeds with very hard seed coats, you may also need to perform scarification of seeds first by rubbing them with sheets of coarse sandpaper to help moisture penetrate the outer shell.