Lavender is a Mediterranean herb prized for its calming fragrance and purple blooms, cultivated globally for gardens and commercial oil production. While the aromatic flowers are familiar, the reproductive material often remains a mystery to gardeners. Understanding the physical characteristics of lavender seeds is important, as they are minute and unlike the easily recognizable seeds of many other garden plants.
The Distinct Appearance of Lavender Seeds
Lavender seeds are remarkably small, measuring only about one to two millimeters in length. This minute size makes them challenging to handle and easily lost when sowing.
The shape of the seed is generally oblong, often described as a tear-drop or a slightly curved, kidney shape. Their coloration is dark, ranging from a blackish-brown to a deep gray-brown shade. This dark color makes them difficult to spot against potting soil or within the dried flower structure.
The seeds often possess a matte or slightly rough texture, contrasting with the smooth appearance of some other seeds. Their minuscule size is a primary reason why they are rarely noticed unless separated from the surrounding flower material.
Location Within the Plant Structure
The seeds develop within the spent flower structure after pollination has occurred, making them not immediately visible on the plant. Each tiny lavender flower contains a protective, cup-like structure called the calyx, which remains on the stem after the petals have faded.
The calyx dries out and hardens, forming a small, papery capsule that encases the developing seeds. Typically, four seeds are housed within each dried remnant of the bloom.
To collect the seeds, the entire dried flower structure, or seed head, must be harvested once it turns a grayish-brown color and is fully dry. The seeds must then be manually extracted by crushing or shaking the chaff away from the small, nut-like fruits. This process is necessary because the plant does not release the seeds freely into the environment.
Practical Considerations for Sourcing and Handling
Recognizing the size and appearance of lavender seeds is important for successful cultivation, as their small nature dictates specific handling methods. Their minute size contributes to their reputation for slow and sporadic germination, often requiring careful surface-sowing rather than deep planting.
Due to low germination rates and the time required for seedlings to mature, many commercial growers propagate lavender through cuttings instead of seeds. This method ensures genetic uniformity and faster growth compared to seeds, which can take a year or more to flower.
The small, dark seeds also require precise storage conditions to maintain viability. They must be kept in a cool, dark, and dry environment to prevent premature sprouting or degradation. Properly stored, high-quality seeds have a higher chance of success, despite the difficulty in growing lavender from seed.