Sow honeywort a quarter-inch deep after the last frost, or start one seed per cell 4 to 6 weeks early and slide the root ball out in one piece.
Sow after frost, a quarter-inch deep
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | After the last spring frost; in a mild garden, sow in fall | Waiting until midsummer heat to start the first sowing |
| Depth | Sow a quarter-inch deep, one large seed per cell or in place | Burying the seed deep in a cold, wet trench |
| Spacing | Set or thin plants 12 to 18 inches apart | Leaving a jammed row with no air around the stems |
| Roots | Slide the root ball out in one piece, or sow where it will stay | Teasing the roots apart at transplant |
honeywort starts from a large seed. Sow a quarter-inch after frost, or start one seed per cell 4 to 6 weeks earlier and move the plants out after frost. Keep the mix moist and around 65 to 85 F until seedlings show, usually in 5 to 21 days. [1] Soaking the seed overnight can speed that wait. Direct sowing avoids tearing the roots; if you start indoors, use a deep cell so you can slide the root ball out in one piece. [2] Sun and later watering stay on How to Grow Honeywort.
When should I plant honeywort?
Sow after the last frost, or start one seed per cell 4 to 6 weeks before frost and set plants out once frost has passed. In a mild garden you can also sow in fall.
How to sow honeywort
Start from the large seed. Keep the mix moist until seedlings show, then harden indoor plants before they go out.
- Soak the seed overnight if you want faster sprouts, then sow a quarter-inch deep after frost, or 4 to 6 weeks before frost with one seed in each cell. [3]
- Hold the mix around 65 to 85 F until seedlings show, usually in 5 to 21 days. Keep it moist, not soggy.
- Harden indoor plants off, then set them out after frost at the same depth they grew in the cell. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart.
- Keep the root ball intact. Do not tease the roots apart. Water in once, then keep the soil just moist until new growth shows.
- In a mild garden, a fall sowing can overwinter as a small plant and bloom earlier. Do not let a plug sit rootbound in the tray. [4]
Can you grow honeywort from seeds?
Yes. Sow a quarter-inch deep after frost, or start one seed per cell 4 to 6 weeks before frost. Stem cuttings are not the usual method.
How do I propagate honeywort?
Sow seed. A quarter-inch after frost is the usual start, or one seed per cell 4 to 6 weeks before frost. Stem cuttings are not the usual method.
If a seedling sulks after a move, sow the next row in the bed after frost, or slide the next cell out with the root ball intact.
FAQ
Should I sow honeywort in fall?
In a mild garden, yes. A fall sowing can overwinter as a small plant and bloom earlier. In a cold garden, wait until frost has passed in spring.
How do I collect honeywort seed?
The large black seeds ripen over weeks and can pop away from the plant. Check the ground under the stems, or bag a few ripe clusters before they burst.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Johnny's Selected Seeds -
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/cerinthe/cerinthe-key-growing-information.html - [2] Wisconsin Horticulture -
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/honeywort-cerinthe-major/ - [3] Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds -
https://www.rareseeds.com/how-to-grow-honeywort - [4] Farmer Bailey -
https://farmerbailey.com/pages/cerinthe-growing-guide
This note is part of Cerinthe Guides.
More planting notes by plant are gathered in Planting Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors