How To Grow Clematis From Seeds

Germinating Clematis from Seeds 

Place Clematis seeds in sterile seed starting mix, covering seeds with a thin layer of sand. Place the container into a zip lock polyethylene bag and place it in refrigerator for several months during the winter so that they go through several freeze/thaw cycles. 

This procedure is called "cold stratification of seeds".

The good news for gardeners is that the natural cold stratification needed for germination can be forced with just a few materials, water, a refrigerator, and patience.

Stratification is a process of treating seeds to simulate natural conditions that the seeds must experience before germination can occur. Many seed species have an embryonic dormancy phase, and generally will not sprout until this dormancy is broken.

The keys to success when freezing seeds is storing dry seeds in an airtight container and keeping consistent cool temperatures. Seeds should be thoroughly dried before being frozen, as the freezing process can cause moist seeds to crack or split.

The dry seeds should then be placed in an airtight container to prevent them from absorbing any humidity and taking on any damaging moisture.

Lastly, when it is time to plant, take seeds out of the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature for at least 24 hours before planting them.

Then place the covered container in a warm location out of direct sunlight and wait for your first seedling. As the seeds germinate, the small plants should be pricked out of the germinating container and planted into a small pot using a sterile soilless mix.

Be very careful as the root will be a single long root in the beginning.

As it grows larger it will need a larger pot, fertilizer and constant moisture.

When the plant has three sets of leaves, pinch out the growing tip to promote branching.

Seeds collected from hybrid clematis will usually not breed true to the parent so you might create a new and exciting cultivar that may be named at your choice.

Your seedling will take at least one year to offer its first bloom and another three years to become a mature plant.

Good luck!