Imagine this:

You’re a seed that for millennia, has been a part of the natural diet of different forest animals.

One day, your destiny arrives: you get eaten, and then in the vessel of the animal’s stomach, become transported somewhere else in the habitat.

Inside the belly of an animal, you travel through their digestive system, much like hopping on a bus to an unknown destination.

And it’s there that you set up your new life.

This is the story of how a seed needs scarification in order to germinate.

This symbiotic process between plants and animals is extremely fascinating to me. As animals eat food that contains the seed, the acid in their stomachs impacts the seed’s outer coating.

Luckily for gardeners, you don’t need to feed your seeds to birds and then wait patiently for them to poop out the seeds before you plant it.

There’s a simple process called scarification that can mimic this natural procedure, and all that’s needed is items you probably have around your home.

But how is a gardener to know which seeds require scarification?

While there are some criteria that indicate that a seed needs to be scarified in order to germinate, it’s not very intuitive. Sometimes seed packets don’t even tell you that this step is necessary before sowing your plants.

But as your resident garden nerd, I’ve compiled a spreadsheet of seeds that need scarification - plus notes on if they require any other treatments or planting strategies in order to boost your germination rates.

Read on for a Full Guide to Herb, Fruit, and Flower Seeds that need Scarification in Order to Germinate.

Why do we need to scarify seeds in order for them to germinate?

The seed benefits from being distributed, so it can take root in a wider variety of locations.

In this way, the progeny of the parent plant don’t need to compete for resources, and are less likely to be eaten in one fell swoop.

Seed dispersal in this way can also reduce disease issues as well.

Moreover, seed dispersal leads to greater biodiversity - which is fantastic!

Otherwise, the seeds would fall around the mother plant and not spread its genetics very far.

And if that did happen - they won’t even bother germinating!

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The seeds that co-evolved with animals in order to encourage seed dispersal and biodiversity have a hard outer coating.

This outer coating is like a protective shell around the embryo of the seed - kind of like an egg and its shell.

In nature, the egg shell gets broken naturally through animals eating and digesting the seed. In this case, its the stomach acid that breaks down the shell or outer coating.

But just like you need to crack an egg (or peel a hard boiled one) before you eat it, these seeds require that their outer coating be worn away before they germinate.

Best ways to scarify seeds at home - no birds required

There are a many different ways that a seed’s outer coating can be worn down.

Here are the two easiest methods that gardeners commonly use to complete this task:

1. Sandpaper:

The scratchy texture naturally wears down the seed coat and allows for water to continue the process

Best for:

• Small Seeds (American Meadows)

Tips:

• Take two small pieces of sandpaper, and place your seeds between them to gently scratch up the seed coating
• A medium grit works best (joyful butterfly).
• Try to find a balance  between cracking the seed coat and damaging the inner seed (forum thread).

2. Hot Water Bath:

The high temperatures cause the seed coating to wear down

Best for:

• Medium - Large Seeds

Tips:

• Make sure the temperature of the hot water is between 60-80 degrees Celsius, or 140-175 degrees Fahrenheit. Note that this is under the boiling point. Hotter temperatures can make seeds inviable (Research Journal of Seed Science).
• Keep seeds in the hot water until it naturally cools, usually after 1 hour (UMass, Seed Collection).

How to know if a Seed Needs Scarification to Germinate

They are typically very small or have thin seed coats, which allows light to easily reach the embryo inside. Examples include certain lettuce and tobacco species.

How to Use This List

Now that you have this list of which seeds need scarification and other treatments to germinate, you'll know exactly what to do to increase the germination rate of your seeds.

Reference this comprehensive list as you plan and execute your planting strategy.

The Complete List of Flower, Herb, Tree, and Fruit Seeds that Need Scarification to Germinate

Dive into our interactive resource below where you can sort the list to meet your needs – sort by name, plant type, or growing habit.

This list of seeds that need scarification also includes:

• if the seeds need cold stratification to germinate
• if the seeds need to be surface sown
• if I was able to find out which scarification method is recommended for the seed

What Flower Seeds to Scarify:

Herb Seeds that Need Scarification:

Fruit Seeds to Scarify for Germination:

Scarify these Tree Seeds

Tips for Germinating Scarification-Dependent Seeds

Don’t worry - seeds that require scarifying doesn't have to be overwhelming. Consider these tips to maximize your success rate:

1. Sow your Scarified Seeds Right Away: For best results, plant your seeds directly after the scarifying process. This mimics what happens in nature and will increase germination rates (joyful butterfly).
2. Check for other seed treatments that are necessary after scarification: For example, some seeds will need to go through a cold stratification or double dormancy treatment, or will need to be surface sown. Fully understanding the seed’s preferences will increase germination success.

The Ecological Connection

Seed scarification and other nuanced germination techniques is an essential skill for anyone building a permaculture garden, restoring a landscape, or who just wants to add more biodiversity into their yard.

You may have noticed that many native plants require specific seed treatments in order to germinate. These native species play a pivotal role in our ecosystems. They're not only valuable to humans for their fruits and aesthetic appeal but are critical to the life cycles of various pollinators, too.

Furthermore, these plants form the backbone of food webs. They provide both essential nourishment and habitat for a diverse range of insects and mammals.

Mastering seed scarification and other germination methods enables you to actively participate in reviving and maintaining native plant populations. This creates of thriving habitats and supports biodiversity and ecosystem health right in your own backyard.

Grow these species to become a vital player in the grander scheme of environmental stewardship. In this way, you not only preserve the local habitat - but enrich it.

Conclusion

Get to know which seeds would normally be digested by wildlife, and you’re on your way to a flourishing garden.

This list will help you to mimic nature’s inherent ways and increase your garden’s success.

No pet birds required 🙂

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