Seed Saving Basics

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Seed Saving Guide for Medicinal Herbs

Save seeds from your healthiest plants for a resilient garden.

Why Save Seeds?

  • Develop locally-adapted strains
  • Reduce costs
  • Preserve heirloom varieties
  • Ensure supply independence

Pollination Types

Self-pollinating (easier):

  • Less crossing risk
  • Examples: Calendula, chamomile

Cross-pollinating:

  • Need isolation
  • May cross with nearby varieties

Easy Herbs for Seed Saving

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

  • Harvest when seed heads brown
  • Seeds look like curved crescents

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

  • Harvest dried flower heads
  • Seeds are tiny tan specks

Echinacea (Echinacea spp.)

  • Harvest when cone is dry
  • May need cold stratification

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

  • Harvest brown flower spikes
  • Tiny black seeds

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

  • Harvest when fluffy pappus forms
  • Shiny dark brown seeds

Harvesting Seeds

  • Seeds should be mature and dry on plant
  • Seed heads turn brown
  • Harvest on dry days
  • Cut seed heads into paper bags

Cleaning Seeds

Winnowing: Pour between containers in light breeze

Screening: Use different mesh sizes

Drying Seeds

  • Spread on screens or paper
  • Dry 1-2 weeks minimum
  • Seeds must snap, not bend

Storage

  • Glass jars with tight lids
  • Cool (1-10°C ideal), dark, dry
  • Label: name, date, source

Viability:

  • Short-lived (1-2 years): Angelica, parsley
  • Medium (2-4 years): Echinacea, calendula
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Companion Planting Guide
Older Herb Drying Guide