Starting Clematis from Seed

Looking for a way to expand your clematis, or should I say as some prefer KLEM-a-tis collection? Try starting new plants from seeds this summer.

Once the seedheads turn brown, shake out the seeds and collect the fatter, swollen ones for propagating. Remove the feathery attachments.

Pack the seeds in a plastic bag filled with a mix of equal parts of perlite and damp peat moss. Place in the refrigerator for at least three months.

Plant the seeds in a flat or shallow container filled with a seed starting mix or mixture of equal parts damp peat and perlite. Keep the soil moist and move the flat to a sunny location as soon as the seedlings appear.

Be patient, it can take up to several months for seeds to sprout. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots, once they have at least one set of true leaves.

Your new plants may not look like the original, but the surprise results add to the fun.

A bit more information: You can also expand your collection while maintaining the clematis’s original features by layering. This method helps the plant form roots on the stem, while still attached to the parent plant. Listen to my Melinda’s Garden Moment audio tip on this topic for more details.