Baby's breath not hard to grow from seed (2024)

FAQs

Is baby's breath hard to grow from seed? ›

Baby's breath is an airy delight when added to specialty bouquets or just as a nosegay in its own right. Growing baby's breath from seed will result in clouds of the delicate blooms within a year. This perennial plant is easy to grow and low maintenance.

Gypsophila (Baby's Breath) - Key Growing Information

DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 70-72°F (21-22°C).

Baby's breath can be grown in containers or it can be planted directly in the ground. It can do well in dry, hot conditions. It will germinate within a week or two, and takes around 6-7 weeks to reach maturity. Baby's breath grows as small clusters of flowers.

Life-Cycle. Baby's breath is a perennial; new plants come up every year from the same root system. It spreads via seeds, not a spreading root system, but one plant can produce well over 10,000 seeds.

They grow rapidly and will come into bloom about 8 weeks after germination. Sow new baby's breath every 2 to 4 weeks to assure continuous bloom for the summer. Propagating baby's breath: By seed. Sow seeds outdoors in place after the danger of frost has passed.

Plants bloom quickly from seed, so start outdoors, direct sowing in early spring in cool soil, when a light frost is still possible. In mild winter areas, it can also be direct sown in late autumn. Germination takes 10-20 days. Sow every 3-4 weeks until July for continuous blooms.

Temperature influences the moisture content, hormone function, and enzyme activity that occurs during seed germination. Warm temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions in seeds and accelerate cell formation for development.

Baby's Breath like full to partial sun. They prefer rich, light soils, and are not fond of clay. They also do not like dry conditions. Their rapid growth demands that they are watered during dry periods.

Root rot: Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot, a fungal disease that causes yellowing, wilting, and death of the plant. Prevent root rot by planting Gypsophila in well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.

Baby's breath starts out with multiple small stems covered in lance shaped leaves which branch up and out. This grows into a small shrub that can get up to 4 feet high. Many tiny, fragrant white flowers bloom in July and August.

How long will baby's breath last without water? ›

Please note: Once you load your garland with Baby's Breath, after 24 hours or so of no water the flowers will start to die out.

Baby's Breath needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn't get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0" pot. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

While not the most beginner-friendly seed to germinate, many gardeners enjoy starting baby's breath — it just takes a little patience. Sow annual baby's breath inside 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Perennials should be started 8-10 weeks before transplanting (which can be done in either early spring or early fall).

Baby's Breath seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here. Sow directly onto the surface of the soil via broadcasting, or sow seeds evenly in rows 8-10 inches apart.

Baby's breath is a terrestrial herbaceous invasive that colonizes sunny, disturbed, sandy sites, which makes it problematic near Michigan's waterways.

Baby's Breath seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting.