• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Mom with Plants logo
  • Gardening Tips
  • Houseplants
  • Garden Gear
  • Garden Problems
  • Garden Prep
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Gardening Tips
  • Houseplants
  • Garden Gear
  • Garden Problems
  • Garden Prep
×

Home » Planting & Growing

Starting Seeds Indoors: A complete guide

Published: Apr 19, 2021 · Updated: Dec 27, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
a bunch of seedlings popping up through the soil with text overlay that reads how to start seeds indoors easy tips for beginners

Starting seeds inside is a great way to save some money, but it does take some planning and patience.

a bunch of seedlings popping up through the soil with text overlay that reads how to start seeds indoors easy tips for beginners
Jump to:
  • How to start seeds inside
  • Germinating seeds FAQ
  • What do you need to grow seeds indoors?
  • Benefits to starting seeds inside

How to start seeds inside

  1. Soak the seeds in water overnight
a shot glass with water and seeds at the bottom.

For most seeds, soaking them overnight in water will help you have a better yield of germination (or seeds that sprout).

2. Place seeds in moist bowl and into ziplock bag

a wet paper towel with seeds on it.

After your seeds have soaked overnight, place them on a wet paper towel and into a zip log bag. Let this sit for 1 to 2 days until your seeds have started sprouting.

Make sure your paper towel stays wet.

3. Carefully plant sprouted seeds

a bunch of seeds on a wet paper towel with one seed circled and text that says seed that has sprouted.

Transfer your sprouted seeds into a planter or seed starting tray. We especially like this self-watering seed starter tray from Amazon, but any planter will work.

You can start your seeds in a planter, but doing the first 2 steps will help you see which seeds are probably going to grow and helps you eliminate the seeds that are duds.

4. Water Daily until well established

a bunch of seedlings with a white spray bottle beside them.

While the seedlings are still under the soil, simply mist or spray some water on the soil. Once daily is usually all you need to do.

Once the seedling has popped out of the soil, water every couple of days. This helps promote root growth because the soil won't be moist all the time so the plant's roots will have to grow down to get moisture.

5. Gradually introduce them to the outside

Seedlings that have been growing inside have the optimal climate. Placing them outside right away can seriously shock the plant and kill it.

Once your plants have a good amount of growth, take them outside for a few hours a day. Every day, keep them out a little bit longer until they are fully acclimated to your climate.

If it's an especially windy day, bring small delicate plants back inside or they could get damaged and die.

Germinating seeds FAQ

When should you start growing seeds inside?

Depending on the plant you are trying to grow, start your seeds the last week of frost or freezing temperatures in your area.

Most plants don't take long to germinate and grow, and the sooner you can acclimate your plants to the outside the sooner you get some more room back in your home!

Why start seeds indoors?

The main reason is that you don't have to wait for warmer weather. Also, it gives your seedlings a chance to get bigger before you plant them outside.

What do you need to grow seeds indoors?

  • Seed starter tray or other planter
  • Spray bottle
  • seeds
  • Potting soil (if you are using your own planters)

Benefits to starting seeds inside

  1. Birds and other animals won't be able to eat the seeds before they have a chance to grow.
  2. You can grow them sooner inside as long as you have room.
  3. It gives plants a chance to get established before you plant them outside.
  4. It's cheaper than buying full size plants from your local nursery.

You might also enjoy reading: How to grow cantaloupe

Reader Interactions

Join the discussion Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

clipart mom holding her kids with clipart plants all around and text overlay that reads mom with plants

Hi, I'm Joanna! The mom behind "mom with plants". Mom with Plants was started to help beginners learn how to garden everything from strawberries to houseplants and more.

More about me →

Popular Garden Articles

  • Beginners Guide: How to Care for Orchids
  • 3 Most durable raised garden beds in 2023
  • Best Gardening Gloves in 2022
  • Best Smelling Flowers

More Gardening Tips

  • 9 Flowers that attract Butterflies
  • How to grow a lemon tree in a pot
  • What's the best potting mix for Phalaenopsis Orchids?
  • Starting Seeds Indoors: A complete guide

Footer

↑ back to top

Connect

  • Contact
  • Sponsor

About

  • About Us
  • Accessibility

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclosure/Advertising

Mom with Plants creates information for educational purposes only. Posts within this website may or may not contain affiliate links. You can read more on affiliate links on our disclosure page. She's Your Friend is a participant in the Amazon Associates Program.

Copyright © 2021 Mom with Plants

We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

Mom with Plants
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.