How To Plant Cherry Seeds In 8 Easy Steps

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A delicious fruit rich in antioxidants, cherries make a great addition to one’s diet! Cherries have many health benefits improving your immune system, heart health, sleep and more. When planting cherries it’s key to have patience as they need a cold-stratification period before they can sprout. Here are 8 easy steps on How To Plant Cherry Seeds.

Step 1: Gather the Cherry Seeds

  1. Choose ripe cherries: Pick freshly ripe cherries from a tree or buy them from a store.
  2. Extract the seeds: Gently remove the cherry pit from the cherry.

Step 2: Clean and Prepare the Seeds

  1. Clean the seed: To remove any residue from the cherry, wash the seeds under cold water. Then dry them with a paper towel.
  2. Optional: You can remove the remaining cherry pieces by soaking the seeds in warm water for one to two days.

Step 3: Cold Stratification

To break dormancy, cherry seeds need time to be cold. This is called stratification. You can do this by following the steps below:

  1. Prepare a moist medium: Fill a small container or plastic bag with a damp surface such as peat moss, sand, or vermiculite. The medium should be moist, not soaking wet.
  2. Place the seeds in the medium: Gently bury the seeds in the damp surface. If using a plastic bag, seal it.
  3. Store in the refrigerator: Place the container or bag in the refrigerator. Leave the seeds in the cold for about 10 to 12 weeks (3 months). This mimics the natural winter conditions the seeds would experience in the wild.

Step 4: Check Your Seeds

  1. After 10-12 weeks, remove the seeds from the fridge.
  2. Once your seeds have sprouted, you can now plant in soil. For any seeds that haven’t sprouted refrigerate and check on the seeds again after a few weeks.  

Step 5: Plant the Seeds

  1. Prepare the soil: Choose a slightly acidic to neutral soil mix that drains well. Fill a pot or seed tray with soil.
  2. Plant the seeds: Plant the seed about 1 to 2 inches deep into the soil. When planting multiple seeds plant them 3-4 inches apart.
  3. Water: Gently water the soil to keep it moist but avoid overwatering it.

Step 6: Place the Pot in a Warm Location

  1. Location: Place the pot in a sunny area to germinate the cherry seed.
  2. Keep It humid: To help the seed germinate faster cover them to keep the humidity levels high.

Step 7: Care for the Seedlings

  1. Wait for sprouting: Cherry seeds can take several weeks to germinate. Be patient, as some seeds may take longer than others.
  2. Thin out seedlings: Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, you can thin them out, leaving the healthiest ones to grow.
  3. Provide proper care: As the seedlings grow, water them regularly, ensuring the soil doesn’t dry out. Avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot.

Step 8: Transplant the Seedlings

  1. Move outdoors: Once the seedlings are strong enough and the weather warms up, you can transplant them into larger pots or directly into the ground if your climate allows it.
  2. Choose a good location: Plant your cherry trees in a sunny spot with well-drained soil.

Patience Is Key!

Remember to always have patients and enjoy the process as you see the growth! By following these steps, you can successfully plant and grow cherry trees from seeds overtime. Happy gardening! 😊