Honeysuckle is a beloved garden plant known for its wonderfully fragrant flowers and ability to quickly cover fences, trellises and arbors with greenery. But did you know that honeysuckle seeds are just as useful as the plant itself? When collected and grown properly, honeysuckle seeds can produce scores of new vines to expand your garden.
In this article, we’ll explore what honeysuckle seeds look like, where to find them, and how to successfully collect and propagate them.
Identifying Honeysuckle Seeds
Honeysuckle seeds form inside the plant’s small berries in mid to late summer. The berries begin green but ripen to a bright red. Once ripe the fleshy berries contain around half a dozen tiny, oval seeds.
Fresh honeysuckle seeds have a soft, gelatinous coating and are usually attached in a sticky clump inside the berry. When dried, the seeds take on a smooth, dark brown color and easily separate. They are under 1/8 inch long—so small they’re tricky to handle!
To find seeds, look for spent honeysuckle flowers that have formed into red berries. Carefully slice a berry open using a knife or fingernail. The seeds will be tightly packed into the center.
When and Where to Collect Honeysuckle Seeds
The best time to collect honeysuckle seeds is mid to late summer when berries are fully ripe. Harvest seeds on a dry, sunny day. Look for berries that are plump and brightly colored. Overripe berries may have already dropped or shed their seeds.
The most productive place to collect seeds is directly from established honeysuckle vines. Look along fences, trellises, and in overgrown areas. State parks, nature preserves, and undisturbed woodlands often have native honeysuckle specimens.
Roadsides and old homesites are another good seed source. Keep an eye out for honeysuckle growing up trees, on brush piles, and around old stone walls. Just be sure to only collect seeds from vines growing on public land or with the landowner’s permission.
How to Successfully Collect and Propagate Honeysuckle Seeds
Collecting honeysuckle seeds is easy—the trick is providing the right conditions for the tiny seeds to sprout and grow. Follow these steps for the best results:
Gathering Seeds
- Harvest ripe red berries on a dry day. Place in a plastic bag or container.
- Gently crush berries to release seeds. Pour into a strainer and rinse off pulp.
- Spread seeds in a single layer on paper towels. Let air dry for 1-2 weeks.
Propagating Seeds
- Fill starter trays with damp seed starting mix. Gently press seeds onto surface.
- Lightly cover seeds with 1/8 inch more mix. Keep moist but not saturated.
- Place trays outside in partial sun. Germination takes 10-14 days.
- Transplant seedlings when 2-3 inches tall. Harden off before planting outside.
Caring for Seedlings
- Grow honeysuckle seedlings on in pots until they reach 6 inches.
- Plant seedlings along a fence or trellis in spring after the last frost.
- Keep young plants consistently watered until established. Prune lightly to encourage bushy growth.
With proper harvesting, drying, and care, even small honeysuckle seeds can produce vigorous new vines. In 3-5 years, you’ll have fragrant, flower-filled plants to enjoy.
So next time you spy ripe honeysuckle berries, don’t let those little seeds go to waste! Follow the easy collection tips above and you’ll soon have homegrown vines to expand your garden.