How to Plant Bittersweet Seeds

Seed Prepartion

• 1

  Collect the red/yellow/orange berries from an American bittersweet plant (not the Oriental variety). The berries contain seeds for planting. You can also purchase bittersweet seeds from an online or local nursery.

• 2

  Dry the seeds out. To do this, spread them out on a flat, shallow pan (such as a cookie sheet) and wait for two weeks or until dry.

• 3

  Collect the seeds from the dried out fruit and allow the seeds to set for another week in order to ensure they are fully dry.

• 4

  Plant the dried seeds in a container of peat moss. Keep the moss moist and refrigerated between 31 and 41 degrees for three months.

Planting

• 5

  Wait until mid spring after any potential for frost has passed. Then, locate the sunniest area of your yard away from other trees.

• 6

  Sow the seeds by sprinkling them in your selected location. Cover with a thin layer of mulch. You can mix in compost, peat moss and/or fertilizer to create a healthy, nutrient-rich environment for your bittersweet.

• 7

  After the seeds have germinated and matured, thin the seeds back to 12 to 36 inches apart. Continue watering to keep the young bittersweet moist and healthy.