Some varieties of Dame’s Rocket are total pros at self-seeding, meaning they’ll pretty much handle the propagation for you. But if you want to take the reins, starting them from seed yourself is actually super easy. As long as you’ve got the right spot, those tiny seeds will turn into beautiful little plants in no time.
A Closer Look at the Seeds
Once the blooming season winds down (usually between April and July), those faded flowers turn into modest little seed pods. Inside, you’ll find tiny seeds about 3 mm long. Just a heads-up: these seeds are slightly toxic, so keep that in mind if you have curious pets or kiddos. If you’re planning to harvest seeds from your own garden, make sure you’re growing the “single” flower varieties. The “double” flowered types don’t actually produce seeds, so you’d have to propagate those via cuttings instead.
Letting Nature Do the Work: Self-Seeding
If your Dame’s Rocket is happy with its location and soil, it’ll usually just drop its own seeds and spread naturally. If you want to encourage this, the golden rule is: don’t deadhead! Avoid cutting off those spent flower stalks after they bloom. Just leave them on the plant until they fall off naturally. This ensures the seeds have plenty of time to mature and scatter on their own.
Taking Control: Manual Sowing
If you prefer a bit more order in your garden, you can definitely sow the seeds yourself. You can either gather them from your existing plants or pick up a packet at your local garden center.
You’ve got two options here: sow them directly into the garden bed or start them indoors in seed trays with a good seed-starting mix. If you keep them around 68°F (20°C), you should see sprouts popping up within a few weeks.
When is the Best Time to Plant?
Technically, you can start Dame’s Rocket seeds year-round, especially if you’re starting them indoors. If you’re sowing directly outside, just make sure the ground isn’t frozen. Late summer—right after the plants finish blooming—is a fantastic time to sow. Early spring is also a great choice, as it gives the young seedlings plenty of time to get established before the heat of summer kicks in.
Spacing Things Out
For that gorgeous, lush look we all love, I recommend planting Dame’s Rocket in groups. However, give them a little breathing room—aim for a spacing of about 12 inches (30 cm) between each plant so they don’t get too crowded.
