Elderberry seeds are what we gardeners call “cold germinators.” This basically means they need to experience a chilly winter phase before they’ll even think about sprouting. Because of this, growing elderberry from seed takes a little bit of prep work before you can get them in the dirt. Don’t worry, though—I’ve put together this guide to walk you through exactly how to do it.
Prepping Your Seeds the Right Way
Elderberry seeds have a natural “germination inhibitor” built-in, which only breaks down after a cold snap. To wake them up, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Remove the seeds from fully ripe elderberries.
- Give the seeds a good soak for 24 to 48 hours.
- For the best results, use a 2% potassium nitrate solution from the drugstore (soak for 24 hours) or just plain warm water (soak for 48 hours).
- Next, pop the seeds into a plastic bag filled with damp sand.
- Seal it up tight and stick it in the fridge for six to eight weeks.
- Once that “stratification” period is over, your seeds are ready for planting!
Sowing Your Seeds in Spring
After you’ve simulated a mini-winter in your fridge, your seeds are primed and ready to grow. Here’s your step-by-step game plan for sowing:
- Fill your starter pots with a high-quality seed-starting mix.
- Place about 3 to 4 seeds in each pot.
- Lightly cover them with about half an inch to an inch of sifted soil.
- Give the soil a gentle misting with water.
- Cover the pots with plastic wrap or a glass pane to keep the humidity up.
- Find a warm, partially shaded spot for them.
- At around 68°F (20°C), those elderberry seeds will finally start to sprout.
Once you see the first little seed leaves followed by “true” leaves, make sure to keep the soil nice and moist. When the seedlings hit about 2 or 3 inches tall, it’s time to thin them out and move them into their own individual pots. Once your young plants reach a height of 8 to 15 inches, they’re officially ready to head out into the garden!
