Seed Germination Time & Temperature of 63 Plants
To save yourself from frustration when growing plants from seeds, you should familiarize yourself with their average germination time! Otherwise, you might spend an unnecessary fortune on new seeds. Commonly, this happens when you fail to realize that you just needed to give your green babies more time before seeing them sprout.
The average germination time of plant seeds varies from 2 to 180 days. The optimal temperature range for seed germination is 60–68°F or 15–20°C for most plants, including herbs and vegetables. The lowest temperature acceptable is 50°F or 10°C and the highest is 104°F or 40°C.
These germination times are extremely important. However, nothing is written on stones. Indeed, they greatly vary with temperature and moisture conditions. Let’s see what science says.
1. Germination Time and Temperature of Herbs
I am a fan of culinary herbs. They grow fast, and you do not need great care to thrive. Just avoid the 18 most common mistakes, and they will thrive in no time. Without forgetting that they will reward you with tasty leaves for many months (if not years as discussed in the how long herb last article).
The germination time changes dramatically depending on the plant considered. Basil and mint are among the fastest herbs to germinate with a minimum of just 3-4 days in the right conditions.
Rosemary is one of the herbs with the highest germination time (2 weeks). The majority of herbs have an ideal germination temperature of 68°F (20°C) which guarantees the shortest germination time.
The chart below reports the average germination time at the optimal germination temperature found in dozens of studies and experiments for the 14 most common herbs and shrubs.
| Herb | Seed Germination Time | Seed Temperature Germination |
|---|---|---|
| Basil | 3 to 10 days | 77-86°F (25-30°C) |
| Holy Basil | 4 to 14 days | 86-95°F (25-35°C) |
| Cilantro | 5 to 10 days | 50-85°F (10-29°C) |
| Sage | 7 to 20 days | 86-95°F (25-35°C) |
| Rosemary | 14 to 30 days | 60-65°F (15-18°C) |
| Oregano | 7 to 14 days | 68-86°F (20-30°C) |
| Chives | 14 to 20 days | 59-68°F (15-20°C) |
| Cilantro | 7 to 14 days | 68-86°F (20-30°C) |
| Catnip | 10 to 14 days | 70-80°F (21-27°C) |
| Thyme | 14 to 30 days | 59-68°F (15-20°C) |
| Mint | 3 to 30 days | 60-70°F (15-21°C) |
| Parsley | 12 to 29 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Hyssop | 14 to 42 days | 60-70°F (15-21°C) |
| Marigold | 5 to 14 days | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
2. Germination Time and Temperature of Vegetables
Below you can find the optimal germination temperature and time for the majority of vegetables you might want to grow. In general, time is quite similar to herbs, varying from as little as 2 days to 2 months.
Lettuce is among the vegetables that germinate the quickest with only 2 days in the right conditions compared to the slower garlic which takes at least half a month in the right conditions.
Check the germination chart with time and optimal temperature for 22 vegetables below.
| Vegetable | Seed Germination Time | Seed Germination Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Leeks | 11 to 14 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Lettuce | 2 to 12 days | 60-75°F (16-24°C) |
| Carrots | 7 to 21 days | 68-77°F (20-25°C) |
| Spinach | 5 to 10 days | 45-75°F (7-24°C) |
| Broccoli | 10 to 14 days | 60-85°F (16-29°C) |
| Cauliflower | 4 to 19 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Snap Beans | 6 to 16 days | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Lima Beans | 6 to 30 days | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Corn | 3 to 21 days | 65-95°F (18-35°C) |
| Beetroot | 4 to 42 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Turnips | 1 to 5 days | 60-95°F (16-35°C) |
| Celery | 7 to 41 days | 70-85°F (21-29°C) |
| Cabbage | 3 to 14 days | 60-85°F (16-29°C) |
| Parsnip | 13 to 26 days | 65-75°F (18-24°C) |
| Spinach | 2 to 11 days | 65-75°F (18-24°C) |
| Okra | 6 to 27 days | 85-95°F (29-35°C) |
| Radish | 3 to 29 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Peas | 2 to 36 days | 65-75°F (18-24°C) |
| Onion | 3 to 13 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Garlic | 6 to 14 days | 65-85°F (18-29°C) |
| Asparagus | 10 to 52 days | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Kale | 14 to 21 days | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
3. Germination Time and Temperature of Fruits and Other Plants
Finally, here you can find the germination time and temperature for a large variety of many common flowers, ornamental houseplants, and fruits that you might be interested in. Here the time varies quite significantly from just a couple of days up to 6 months or even longer!
Check below the germination chart for 27 fruits, houseplants, and flowers.
| Fruits and Other Plants | Seed Germination Time | Seed Germination Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Grass | Up to 1 month | 41-86°F (5-30°C) |
| Coleus | Up to 3 weeks | 65-75°F (18-24°C) |
| Zinnia | Up to 3 weeks | 75-80°F (24-27°C) |
| Apricot | Up to 2 months | 59-187°F (15-20°C) |
| Dracaena | Up to 6 months | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Squash | Up to 1.5 weeks | 85-95°F (29-35°C) |
| Amaranth | Up to 2 weeks | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
| Dianthus | Up to 3 weeks | 60-70°F (16-21°C) |
| Gardenia | Up to 1 month | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
| Avocado | Up to 1.5 months | 70-81°F (21-27°C) |
| Daisy | Up to 3 weeks | 68-77°F (20-25°C) |
| Eggplant | Up to 2 weeks | 80-90°F (27-32°C) |
| Bromeliads | Up to 3 months | 60-70°F (16-24°C) |
| Cosmos | Up to 1.5 weeks | 68-86°F (20-30°C) |
| Peppers | Up to 3 weeks | 68-95°F (20-35°C) |
| Arum Lily | Up to 6 months | 55-65°F (13-18°C) |
| Tomatoes | Up to 1.5 months | 68-95°F (20-35°C) |
| Cucumber | Up to 1.5 weeks | 63-73°F (17-23°C) |
| Watermelon | Up to 1.5 weeks | 75-95°F (24-35°C) |
| Impatiens | Up to 1 month | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
| Cantaloupe | Up to 1 week | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Cacti | Up to 6 months | 75-80°F (24-27°C) |
| Echeveria | Up to 3 months | 55-65°F (13-18°C) |
| Azalea | Up to 3 months | 55-60°F (13-16°C) |
| Ficus | Up to 3 months | 70-80°F (21-27°C) |
| Violets | Up to 3 weeks | 65-75°F (18-24°C) |
| Purple Coneflower | Up to 2 weeks | 70-75°F (21-24°C) |
How Does Temperature Affect Germination?
Temperature heavily affects seed germination time and rate of success. Indeed, seeds germinate when the “environmental conditions” are just right. Often this means the arrival of springs/summer as long hours of sunlight and milder temperature imply better-growing conditions.
This explains why the majority of herbs and vegetable seeds require relative 1) stability and 2) high temperature to sprout. All vegetables and herb seeds sprout easily at temperatures of around 68°F (20°C) or slightly above.
Herbs and plants do not have a single specific temperature at which they sprout. They are able to germinate within a given temperature range (the one I provided in the tables above). For instance, in the first table (herbs), basil has an ideal germination temperature range of 77-86°F (25°-30°C).
Hence, basil seeds can germinate fast and at a high rate (most of the seeds will sprout) in such a temperature range.
Does that mean that any temperature outside the ideal germination temperature range (tables above) will not sprout? No, these are ideal temperatures for which your herbs will grow the fastest and higher germination rate.
For instance, as discussed by the Virginia Polytechnic, sweet basil can grow at any temperature between 50 and 104°F (10-40°C) (let’s call it the “possible temperature range”). This is wider than the ideal temperature range of 77 to 86°F (25-30°C).
Some exceptions, as discussed by the Oregon State University, are the cold-germination crops. Indeed some of the most common vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, and radish can germinate in as little as 40°F (4°C) while others like lettuce, onion, parsnip, and spinach grow even at a low temperature of 35°F (2°C).
Remember also that, sometimes, there is a small genetic component. You might provide the best conditions, but because of some variation or even some seed disease, some might not sprout or die straightener. It happened to me a couple of times. However, if you have purchased seeds from reliable vendors, this should not be a problem.
Where to find good quality seeds?
For herb seeds, I usually opt for the Sow Righ Seeds brand. You can check them on Amazon here. Never had problems, and their germination rate is quite high. For the UK audience, the De Ree is also a great option.
How do you keep the temperature constant during germination?
To guarantee the right temperature, I would go for a seedling bed mat. It is essentially a small resistor (that consumes like a lamp) that provides constant heat for your seeds. You just need to plug them and place them beneath the seedlings pot.
Check this good one on Amazon to see what they look like.
Further Questions
Will seed germinate in cold weather? Some vegetable seeds such as lettuce, given the right moisture conditions, can germinate in cold weather (as low as 35F). However, this is not the case for herb seeds.
Do seeds need heat to germinate? The large majority of herb and vegetable seeds, except a few exceptions (the so-called cool-season crops), do require heat that guarantees a sufficiently high temperature in the growing medium where the seeds are placed. This can be either from natural resources or natural.
Scientific Reference
This article would not have been possible without the scientific contribution of biologists and other researchers all over the world performing cool experiments to find out for us the best conditions possible for growing our seeds.
- Seed Germination and Early Growth Responses of Hyssop, Sweet Basil and Oregano to Temperature Levels
- Temperature Effects on Seed Germination Potential of Holy Basil
- Growing Cilantro – What temperature does cilantro grow best in?
- Factors influencing seed germination of medicinal plant Salvia aegyptiaca L. (Lamiaceae)
- Seed Germination and Early Growth Responses of Hyssop, Sweet Basil and Oregano to Temperature Levels
- Germination of Coriander Seed in 15C and 20-30C Temperatures
- Seed Germination Database
- Vitality and germination of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.) seeds
- Minimum, optimum, and maximum temperatures required for germination of Onion, Radish, Tomato, and Pepper
- Quality of pelleted and bare lettuce seeds at different temperatures
- Carrot seed germination in different conditions of salinity and temperature
- Cornell University Database
- Garden Notes
- Spring Garden Fair 10-Minute University
- Germination in Cool-Season Forage Grasses under a Range of Temperatures
- The_effect_of_temperature_on_pollen_germination_and_pollen_tube_growth_of_apricot_and_sweet_cherry
- The Response of Avocado and Mango to Soil Temperature
- Soaking curve and effect of temperature on the germination of daisy seeds
- NC Cooperative Extension.
- Annual Flower Seed Germination Guide
- Zinnia Cut-Flower Production
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