Grow hop tree from seed by sowing fresh wafers in fall, barely covered, so winter can chill them. Stored seed needs the papery wing pulled off, then a long cold stretch, before a spring sowing.
Sow fresh seed in fall, barely covered
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Sow as soon as the wafers turn light yellow-brown, usually late summer into fall | Do not wait until the papery wings shatter and the seed blows away |
| Depth | Cover with a thin skim of soil, then a light mulch | Do not bury the seed about an inch and a half deep |
| Moisture | Keep the bed moist until spring germination | Do not let the surface dry out through winter |
| Gloves | Wear gloves when you pick the clusters | Do not strip wafers bare-handed if your skin itches |
Hop tree seed sits inside a flat, circular wafer. Pick the hanging clusters when they turn light yellow-brown, before they dry enough to fall apart. Sow that same week. Fresh seed sown in fall is the reliable home start, because winter slowly breaks down the wing. [1]
- Collect light yellow-brown wafers in late summer or fall, before they shatter.
- Sow outdoors the same week, barely covered, in soil that drains. [2]
- Mulch the bed lightly, and keep it moist until seedlings show in spring. Expect five to six months if the winter is long. [3]
- Screen the bed from mice. They will eat the seed if they can reach it.
When do I collect hop tree seed?
Late summer into fall, when the wafers are light yellow-brown and have not yet shattered. Wear gloves.
For stored seed, pull the wafer off, then keep it cold
The papery wing holds the seed back if you try to chill it in a refrigerator. Pull the wing off, mix the cleaned seed with damp sand or sphagnum, and keep that bag cold for about three to five months. Then sow in spring, barely covered. Whole wafers left in the fridge for months still sit. [4]
- Rub or peel the papery wing off the seed. Soak stubborn wafers overnight so the wing slips.
- Mix the cleaned seed with damp sand or torn sphagnum in a bag you can close.
- Keep the bag cold and moist for about three to five months. Do not let it dry.
- Sow in spring, barely covered, and keep the surface moist until the seed leaves show.
The grown-tree plan — sun or shade, drain, and water while it is young — is on How to Grow Hop Tree.
Can I leave the wing on?
For a fall sowing outdoors, yes — winter will rot the wing. For a refrigerator chill, pull it off, or the seed stays asleep.
If the seed never comes up, it was probably sown deep, or chilled with the wing still on. Next time sow it fresh in fall, barely covered, and keep that surface moist.
FAQ
Can I grow hop tree from a cutting?
Seed is the usual home start. Some midsummer cuttings will root, but if you want a tree, sow fresh seed in fall.
Do I need two trees for wafers?
Many plants carry mostly male or mostly female flowers. If your tree never sets wafers, it may be a male plant. A nursery tree sold in fruit is the simpler bet.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PTTR - [2] Forest Service Woody Plant Seed Manual -
https://www.fs.usda.gov/nsl/Wpsm/Ptelea.pdf - [3] Native Plant Network -
https://rngr.net/npn/propagation/protocols/ptelea-trifoliata-ptelea - [4] NRCS PLANTS Database -
https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PTTR
This note is part of Ptelea Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors