How to Store Petunia Seeds for Best Viability

If you've found a petunia that has especially beautiful coloring, or if you are tired of buying petunias every year, you can store the seeds during the winter and plant them in the coming year. Storing petunia seeds is not difficult, as long as you first harvest the seeds properly and keep out moisture. After storing the seeds successfully, you can start them indoors approximately 10 to 12 weeks prior to your last anticipated frost.

Paper bag
Paper towels
Airtight jar or plastic container
Label
Silica gel packets (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Pick the calyx, or seed pod, off the petunia when the flower dies and falls off. You can find the calyx directly underneath the flower's base.
- 2
  Place the unopened calyx in a paper bag for a few days until it splits open. The calyx should turn brown right before it's ready to open.
- 3
  Collect the seeds from the paper bag and set them out on a paper towel to dry. You will know that the seeds are sufficiently dry when they are hard enough that you can't bite through them or crush them.
- 4
  Transfer the dried petunia seeds to an airtight jar or plastic container. Label your container.
- 5
  Store the container in a cool, dry place at a temperature between 32 and 42 degrees F.

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