If you want to collect black eyed susan seeds from plants already growing in your yard, wait until the flower heads turn brown and the center cone feels dry and papery. That is the point when the seeds have finished maturing and will come away with a little rubbing or shaking. The process is simple, but timing matters if you want seeds that store well and sprout next season.
When black eyed susan seed heads are ready
Harvest after the petals drop and the seed head changes from green to brown. The cone should feel dry, and the tiny seeds should look dark and firm, not pale or soft. If you pick too early, the seeds have not finished developing and will not store well.
Look for a spent flower head with a stiff brown center and no fresh yellow petals left on it. A dry day is best because damp seed heads can mold in storage. If birds are already feeding on the seed heads, harvest them as soon as they start browning.
How to harvest black eyed susan seeds
Cut the seed heads
Snip the spent flower heads with clean pruners and place them in a paper bag, bowl, or shallow tray. Keep the heads separate from fresh blooms so you do not mix ripe and unripe material.
Dry and break apart the heads
Spread the seed heads in a single layer indoors for 3 to 7 days. When they are crisp, rub the cone between your fingers or over a tray to release the seeds. The ripe seeds fall out easily once fully dry.
- Cut fully brown, dry seed heads from the plant.
- Place them in a paper bag or tray.
- Let them dry indoors for several days.
- Rub the heads to free the seeds.
- Pick out stem pieces and chaff.
Cleaning and storing the seeds
After rubbing, separate the seeds from dried petals, cone pieces, and dust. A small kitchen strainer or your fingers works for this step. Clean seed stores better because debris traps moisture and raises the chance of mold.
Store the cleaned seeds in a labeled paper envelope or glass jar with a tight lid. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Write the plant name and harvest year on the container so you know when to use it.
How to germinate black eyed susan seeds
Black eyed susan seeds sprout best after a cold period. You can sow them outdoors in fall so winter handles that job, or give them a cold, moist treatment indoors for 4 to 6 weeks before planting in spring.
To start them indoors, press the seeds onto moist seed-starting mix and cover them with a very thin layer, about 1/8 inch. Keep them at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit and evenly moist. Germination takes 14 to 30 days.
How to start black eyed susan seeds in the garden
Sow seeds where you want the plants to grow, because established black eyed susans dislike being moved. Rake the soil surface lightly, scatter the seeds, and press them into contact with the soil. A thin dusting of soil is enough.
Water the area gently until seedlings emerge. Once the plants are up, thin them so each one has room to spread. Good air flow and full sun help the seedlings grow into sturdy flowering plants.
Black eyed susan seed saving and plant traits
Heirloom versus hybrid
Seed saving works best with open-pollinated or heirloom black eyed susans. Those seeds grow true to the parent plant more reliably. Hybrid seed can produce plants that vary in height, flower color, or vigor.
Cross-pollination and isolation
Black eyed susans can cross with nearby related plants if insects move pollen between them. If you want seed as close to the parent plant as possible, keep different varieties separated and save seed from the healthiest, most typical flowers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you collect seeds from black eyed susans?
Wait until the flower head turns brown and dry, cut it off, let it finish drying indoors, then rub the cone to release the seeds. Clean out the plant bits before storing the seed.
How do you know when the seeds are ready?
The seed head is ready when the petals are gone, the cone is brown, and the head feels dry and brittle. Green or soft heads are not ready for harvest.
How do you strain blackberry seeds?
If you meant black eyed susan seeds, strain the dried seed mix through a small strainer or screen to remove chaff. If you meant blackberry seeds, the process is different and starts with mashing ripe fruit, then rinsing and straining the pulp away from the seeds.
How do you plant blackberry seeds?
Blackberry seeds need cold stratification before sowing. Clean the seeds, chill them in moist medium for several weeks, then plant them shallowly in a seed-starting mix.
How do you grow black seeds or a black seed plant?
If you mean black eyed susan seed, sow it in full sun with light soil coverage and steady moisture. If you mean black seed plant as a different crop, identify the exact plant first, because the planting method depends on the species.
How do you start blackberry seeds?
Clean the seeds from ripe fruit, cold stratify them, then sow them in a moist seed-starting mix. Keep them warm after chilling and give them bright light when they sprout.
How do you remove blackberry seeds from fruit?
Mash ripe blackberries, add water, and stir the pulp. The seeds sink while lighter pulp floats, so you can pour off the debris and strain the remaining mixture through a fine sieve.