Scarify globemallow seed, then sow it about a quarter inch deep in fall where the plant will stay.
Scarify the seed and sow it a quarter inch deep in fall
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Fall, outdoors | An indoor start you plan to transplant later |
| Coat | Nick the seed, or give it a short hot-water soak | Sowing the hard coat as-is and expecting a fast sprout |
| Depth | About a quarter inch | Burying the seed deep |
| Place | Sow where the plant will stay | Pricking out seedlings and tearing the taproot |
The seed coat is hard, so a light nick or a short hot-water soak raises the sprout rate. Sow outdoors in fall, about a quarter inch deep, on draining ground. [1] [2] desert globemallow is the usual packet. Scarlet globemallow and Munro's globemallow use the same nick and fall sow. Untreated seed sown in fall can still sprout in winter and then grow fast in spring, but scarifying makes that more reliable. Keep the bed draining while the seed waits. Do not start a flat indoors so you can later move a long taproot into the garden.
Do I have to nick the seed?
It helps. The seed coat is hard, so a light nick or a short hot-water soak raises the sprout rate. Sow in fall, about a quarter inch deep.
How to sow globemallow
Break the coat, sow a quarter inch deep, and leave the seedlings where they germinate.
- Nick the seed with a file, or rub it between two pieces of coarse sandpaper until the coat looks scuffed. Wear gloves. The same tiny hairs that irritate eyes can ride on the seed. [3]
- Sow outdoors in fall, about a quarter inch deep, on open draining ground. Seed usually germinates in winter, then grows fast in spring.
- A short dip in just-off-boil water, then a 24-hour soak, is another way to break the coat. Do not grind the seed hard enough to crush the embryo. [4]
- Keep the surface from drying until seedlings show. Leave them in place. Do not pot them up to transplant later. A nursery plant uses Planting Globemallow. Self-sown seedlings nearby can stay if the bed still drains.
When do I sow globemallow?
Sow in fall, about a quarter inch deep, on draining ground. Leave the seedlings where they germinate.
If nothing sprouts, the coat was still hard — nick it, then sow again in fall.
FAQ
Do I have to use hot water?
No. A light nick or sandpaper is enough for a garden sow. Hot water is another way to break the coat when you also soak the seed for a day.
Can I start globemallow indoors?
You can, but the taproot hates a later move. Sow where the plant will stay, or keep the plug whole if you start in a cell.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SPAM2 - [2] Natural Resources Conservation Service, Tucson Plant Materials Center -
https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_spam2.pdf - [3] Southwest Gardener -
https://swgardener.com/globe-mallow/ - [4] Native Plant Network / Borderlands Restoration -
https://rngr.net/npn/propagation/protocols/sphaeralcea-ambigua-sphaeralcea
This note is part of Sphaeralcea Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors