Nick the hard palo verde seed, soak it overnight, and sow it in warm mix that drains.
Nick the hard seed, then soak it overnight
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Sow after the mix is warm, often in spring | Sowing into cold, wet mix |
| Coat | Nick the hard coat, then soak overnight until the seed swells | Sowing a hard, unswollen seed |
| Depth | About twice the seed, or a quarter to a half inch | Burying the seed an inch down |
| Mix | Moist mix that drains | Soggy mix that sits wet |
Palo verde seed has a hard coat. Nick it with pruners or sandpaper, then soak it for a day. The seed should swell to about twice its dry size. Discard seeds that float — those are often hollow or insect-eaten. [1] Collect dry pods that rattle, usually in June or July for blue palo verde. Palo brea pods rattle a little later. Sow about twice as deep as the seed. Seedlings often show in four to ten days once the mix is warm. [2] Scarified seed still waits for heat. Cold, wet mix leaves a nicked seed sitting there, so wait until the pot itself is warm before you sow.
When should I sow palo verde seed?
After the mix is warm. Scarified seed will not sprout in cold soil. Spring is the usual window once nights stay mild.
Sow in warm mix that drains
- Collect dry, rattling pods. Shell the brown seeds and discard any that are holed or moldy.
- Nick the coat. Soak overnight in water. Repeat the soak if the seed is still hard. A short hot soak can also help Mexican palo verde seed. [3] [4]
- Sow one or two seeds per pot, about twice as deep as the seed, in moist mix that drains.
- Keep the mix warm and barely moist until sprouts show.
- Thin to one seedling. Cover the pot if birds or rodents steal the sprouts. Give it sun once it has true leaves. Move it on before the taproot hits the bottom of a small pot. A nursery tree uses How to Grow Palo Verde.
How long do palo verde seeds take to sprout?
Often four to ten days in warm mix after a nick and a soak. Cold mix stalls them even when the coat is nicked.
If the seed stays hard after a soak, nick it again and soak once more — do not bury a hard seed.
FAQ
Can I grow Desert Museum palo verde from seed?
No. Desert Museum is a sterile hybrid. If you own one, grow it as a palo verde in the ground, not from a packet.
Is foothill palo verde in this catalog?
No. Foothill palo verde is Parkinsonia microphylla. The nick-and-soak still applies if you already have that seed.
Do I need to sow Mexican palo verde?
Usually not. Mexican palo verde reseeds in moist soil. Nick it the same way only if you still want that kind.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Native Plant Network -
https://npn.rngr.net/renderNPNProtocolDetails?selectedProtocolIds=fabaceae-parkinsonia-1396 - [2] Tucson Clean & Beautiful -
https://tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Plant-Propagation-Brochure-1.pdf - [3] Golden Valley Botanicals -
https://goldenvalleybotanicals.com/germinating-palo-verde-seeds/ - [4] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=paac3
This note is part of Parkinsonia Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors