Most folks who want to add a beautiful Clematis to their garden usually head straight to the local nursery to grab a young potted plant. At most, a more adventurous gardener might try taking a cutting from an established vine. But starting Clematis from seed? Hardly anyone bothers with that—and there are a few good reasons why.
A Test of Patience
The main reason home gardeners are a bit skeptical about Clematis seeds is that they are notoriously slow. In fact, these seeds can take up to three years just to germinate in the soil! If you’re planning to use Clematis as a privacy hedge, waiting years for a sprout probably isn’t the way to go. However, if you’re just looking to add a lovely climbing plant to a tree in your yard and you aren’t in a huge rush, starting from seed can be a fun and rewarding project.
Speeding Things Up: Stratification
The good news is that you don’t have to just sit around and wait for years. You can actually give the seeds a little “nudge” through a process called stratification. This is basically a cold, moist treatment that mimics a natural winter to wake the seeds up.
To do this, spread a mix of peat and water onto a piece of plastic wrap and give it a good misting. Evenly distribute your Clematis seeds across the mix, then roll the plastic wrap up like a burrito and tie off the ends. Pop that roll into the vegetable crisper drawer of your fridge for about six to eight weeks. Just be sure to check on it occasionally—the peat needs to stay moist, or the seeds won’t germinate.
Keep It Clean
Because Clematis seeds take so long to get going, keeping things sterile is super important to prevent mold or rot. Before you start, make sure to disinfect any tools you’re using. To be extra safe, you should also “cook” your peat or potting substrate to kill off any lingering bacteria. You can do this by putting it in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for half an hour, or zapping it in the microwave for about 10 minutes.
