Native Seed Collection

Craig Bruska, Chair Native Seed Committee, Native Plant Society of Texas
LMUD Open House presentation, May 6, 2025

What makes native seeds special is that they evolved here; so did the things that pollinate and eat them.

They all work together, living in harmony.

Seeds have evolved a long time to adapt to their local environment. Native plants produce large amounts of seeds in hopes of having just a few that successfully grow to maturity and produce seeds for the next generation. 

When growing natives from seed, patience is key. Native seeds have also evolved to delay sprouting until conditions are right for them to thrive. As such, germination can be delayed for years as sowed seeds remain lying dormant in their “soil seedbank”. There are ways to manually induce the germination process in seeds prior to sowing them.

In addition to seeds varying in side and shape, there are three types of life cycles of seeds that vary in how the plants reproduce:

  1. Annual plants have the shortest lifespan, completing their entire life cycle in a single growing season, but the shortest germination. While they grow quickly, they need to reseed to survive (they do not come back each year from existing roots).
  2. Biennial plants need two seasons to complete their life cycle, waiting until after a winter cycle to produce its flowers. Like annuals, after they grow, they die unless they are reseeded.
  3. Perennial plants can stay alive for several years and produce many rounds of flowers and seeds over their entire life cycle. They produce the next generation by reseeding as well as by rhizomes (horizontal underground plant stems capable of producing the shoot and root systems of a new plant).

Ethics for Seed Collecting

The thrill of the hunt for seeds can be exciting, but there are some rules that must be followed:

  • To increase your germination success rate, collect seeds only when they are about to disperse on their own (mature seeds are usually dark in color, firm and dry).
  • Always get permission first if collecting seeds anywhere beyond your own property. Areas destined to be developed or destroyed in the near future provide excellent sites for collecting seeds, provided the landowner has given permission.
  • Collecting seeds of endangered species is illegal. Federal and state parks or nature areas are protected areas so are not allowable for seed collection without written permission.
  • Limit collection to 10% of the available seeds so there is enough left to reseed the area and feed wildlife. 
  • Collect samples from different plants to preserve and increase the genetic variation.
  • Mix seeds together to support biodiversity (a variety of different life naturally found in your area).

Seed Collection Methods

In addition to the traditional methods or stripping, clipping, or shaking seeds off the stem, for species that have an explosive seed pod, that forcefully eject their seeds far away from the original plant, you will need to get a bit more creative. Here are a few proven suggestions:

Organza drawstring bags

With this trick it is easy to collect exploding seeds (such as bluebonnets and milkweeds): organza bags are breathable so can be placed directly over the living plant to prevent seeds from flying away once it naturally disperses.

Paper bags

Hang cut plants upside down with a paper bag over the seed head so that the ripe seeds drop into the bag as they dry. You can also place seed pods in paper bags indoors to fully dry prior to storage.

Do not use plastic bags

Humidity or high moisture will cause seeds to mold and eventually decompose. Sealed plastic bags should only be used for seeds that are fully dry.

Seeds to Collect in Summer

Bluebonnets

Once the seeds have been collected, removed from the pod and cleaned of debris, they should be stored in the refrigerator in a paper sack to allow good air circulation and prevent mold forming until they are planted in the fall.

Damianita

Collect the dry flower heads after the blooming periods and store in paper bags or sealed containers in cool, dry place until spring planting.

Firewheel or Indian Blanket

Hand strip mature seed by grasping the bottom of the seed head, then gently pulling away from the base of the plant.

American Basketflower

The seeds are at the base of the ‘fluffy’ area that covers the flower head. Their seeds are blown by the wind when mature so using an organza or paper bag may be helpful.

Frogfruit

Hand strip mature seed by grasping the bottom of the seed head, then gently pulling away from the base of the plant.

Rock Rose

Seeds can be collected from the capsule when it turns brown, but before it becomes dry and splits.

Standing Cypress

Let the seed completely mature on the plant before removing.

Seed Storage

Since plant seeds should be planted when nature naturally plants them, they will need to be properly cleaned and stored to maintain the seeds’ viability, so that they can germinate and produce healthy, vigorous plants.

  • Keep seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place.  Store in the coolest part of your home.
  • For long term storage, put seeds in Ziplock or vacuum bag at 40F.
  • Do not store outside, in garages or sheds.
  • Keep in breathable packages
    • Paper bags
    • Coin envelopes
    • Bill envelopes
  • Do not freeze seeds unless they are complete dry.  Any remaining moisture will freeze within the seeds as it expands damaging the embryo.

Sourcing Seeds & Native Plant Information

Assuming you will not be able to harvest all the different types of seeds you choose to use in your yard, here are a few suggestions on where to source them from:

  • A local seed library: Seed libraries are popping up all over, allowing local residents to “check out” seeds for free. Lakeway MUD houses a seed library that you are welcome to use and donate seeds.
  • Native American Seed: This grower is local, located in New Braunfels, only offering seeds from plants that are native to our bioregion.
  • NPSOT Database:

For more information on native plants, visit the Native Plant Society of Texas database. you can search for and discover each plant by: Plant name, Plant Family, Max Height (ft), Max Spread (ft), Ecoregion, Growth Form, Light needs, Water needs, Soil Type, Leaf Retention, Lifespan, Bloom Color, Bloom Season, Seasonal Interest, and Wildlife Benefit.

NPSOT Database