Fast growing indoor plants from seeds

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Don’t we all like plants that are easy to care for and grow. As gardeners, it is always a blessing to have low maintenance plants in your indoor garden. Most novice and also seasoned gardeners look for plants to add to their indoor garden that is not only beautiful but ones that grow easily. They look for inexpensive ways to grow and upkeep plants. In this article, we will explore fast growing indoor plants from seeds.

What are the fast growing indoor plants from seeds? These are the easy and fast growing indoor plants from seeds: 1. Cat grass, 2. Living stone, 3. Cactus, 4. Peace lily, 5. Coleus, 6. Asparagus fern, 7. African violet.

Easy and fast-growing indoor plants from seeds

When it comes to indoor plants, we are always on the lookout for plants that are easy to maintain. This being said we also look for plants that do not take forever to grow. Plants that can be sown without a complicated pre-sowing routine and those that sprout and grow fast. Here are some plants that are fast-growing indoor plants that can be grown from seed.

fast-growing plants from seeds
house plants

#1 Cat grass

If you are someone who likes a green patch either on your table or by your window seal cat grass is what you should think about. If you are a cat parent it is an added advantage to have cat grass at home as your cat babies can eat these.

Cat grass is known as Dactylis glomerata and a part of the Dactylis genus, it also goes by names like orchard grass or cock’s-foot. 

Car grass comes from northern Africa and parts of Asia and Europe. The reason cat grass is called so, is because it is safe for kitties, unlike other grass variants. Cat grass is in fact known to induce mood-boosting hormones in felines and hence recommended by most vets. 

These are not only beautiful to look at but very simple to grow from seed. All you need is a shallow slim container some potting mix and you are good to go. Make sure that the container has drainage holes. Fill the container about three forth with any potting mix.

As cat grass is not fussy about the soil use you can use any potting mix you have at hand. To plant simply wet the soil and sprinkle your seeds onto it. 

After you have the container ready place it in a spot that receives indirect sunlight. In the beginning, you will require to maintain the temperature inside the container. For this, all you need to do is cover the container with plastic wrap. This will help regulate the temperature and promote sprouting. 

In a week or so you will be able to see tiny grass sprouts. When this happens take the plastic wrap off and transfer the container to a spot that is sunnier. If you are planning to feed it to your kitty let the grass grow at least four to five inches. 

If you are not a grass person and are looking for plants that are.

#2 Living stone

Almost all home gardeners have cared or are caring for succulents. They are perfect when it comes to maintenance and at the same time look wonderful. The living stone on the other hand is a plant that doesn’t receive the credit that it deserves. These plants are beautiful and belong to the Aizoaceae family, which includes a number of ice plants. 

The name Lithops has Greek origins referring to its stone-like appearance. They are native to and grow in parts of southern Africa, but can be easily planted and cared for at home anywhere in the world.

The best part about this plant aside from the fact that it is extremely easy to care for is the variety of colors, textures, and shapes it comes in.

Planting living stone from seed is simple all you need to do is purchase the seeds online or in local stores. You will then need a combination of perlite and potting mix. It is important to mix them in similar quantities for best results.

To get the potting mix ready to use wet it and transfer it to a pot. The pot needs to have drainage holes so that excess water can be drained out easily. Then simply sprinkle the seeds over the potting mix and you are good to go. To sprout and grow well the seeds will need sand or rock covering.

Do not water the seeds but mist them. During the germination process living stone, seeds need to be misted often. You can cover the container with plastic wrap to increase the temperature inside the pot and speed up the germination process. You could also cover the container with a glass pane.

Germination will take about a week or two after which the plant will start to grow rapidly. Once you see sprouts take the film off and let the plant grow naturally.

Living stone needs to be placed in a spot that gets enough sunlight and warmth anywhere between 65 through 80 degrees Fahrenheit is considered ideal for these plants. If you do not have enough natural lighting invest in LED bulbs that are designed for plant growth.

In about a year you can repot them and let the plants have their own tiny pots to grow in.

#3 Cactus

Cactus is the most common of house plants owing to the fact that they do not need frequent watering and specific weather conditions. These plants are generally propagated from pieces of already mature plants. But they can also be grown from seed which in itself is a completely different achievement. 

The most fascinating part about planting and caring for cactus is that these plants come with whooping 1,750 species. Hence you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking the right one for your home garden. We have listed for you are the most favorite. 

  • Opuntia microdasys or bunny ears cactus
  • Schlumbergera bridgesii or Christmas cactus
  • Gymnocalycium mihanovichii or moon cactus
  • Hatiora gaertneri or Easter cactus
  • Gymnocalycium or chin cactus
  • Mammillaria hahniana or old lady cactus
  • Carnegiea gigantea or Saguaro cactus
  • Astrophytum asterias or star cactus

NO matter the mood or the weather conditions you can choose a cactus that brightens up your day. To plant cactus from seed all you need is compost or loamy soil. Fill a container with a potting mix and spread the seeds over it. Push down the seeds a little to help them settle in. you will need soil that is moist for the seeds to germinate well.

After the seeds have set in, add a layer of fine grit or vermiculite. Then place a plastic bag over the seeds and let the seeds sit for a few days in a warm place. In a few weeks, you will see seedlings sprouting out of the potting mix.

You can take the bag off and let the plants grow naturally. While in the germination and growth phase mist regularly between watering.

In about a month you should be able to have individual pots with tiny cacti.

Fast growing indoor plants from seeds
Fast growing indoor plants from seeds

#4 Peace lily

Spathiphyllum or peace lily is the most beautiful plant you can have in your home garden. It is one of the many fast growing indoor plants that you can easily grow from seeds. The appealing white flower that this plant grows is what steals the show.

Growing this plant from seed surely is a big deal, this plant is generally propagated or bought as a sapling and most gardeners think caring for them as seedlings is difficult. Hence growing them from seeds will give you a sense of accomplishment and a reason to boast and show off your home garden. 

While planting the peace lily from seed you need to be careful about the amount of potting soil you use. You will also need to blanket the seeds with soil. Before planting the seeds pay attention to the size of the seeds larger seeds will require more soil as compared to smaller variants. Once the seeds are in place moisten the soil.

After some time, you will notice that the seeds are starting to turn yellow. They will also get softer. These are signs that the seeds are doing well and maturing. This plant will take a little more time to grow and mature from seed but it surely is worth the wait.

  • How to water Peace lily

#5 Coleus

The Coleus is a colorful plant to have at home. These plants come in vivid leaves with hues of purple, green, pink. These plants need to be kept out of the direct sun to preserve the color, or it starts to fade.

There are a number of variants of the Coleus available, some of them are:

  • Coleus edulis
  • Coleus caninus
  • Coleus blumei, also known as coleus scutellarioides
  • Coleus rotundifolius
  • Coleus forskohlii
  • Coleus amboinicus
  • Coleus esculentus
  • Coleus barbatus

You can choose ones that fit your style and décor.

To plant Coleus from seed you need sine starting soil. Add your seeds to the soil and cover the container. The key to growing Coleus is maintaining a temperature of 65 to 85 degrees. This plant loves bottom heat. For this, you can place them over the refrigerator or use a heating pad.

In about 12 to 21 days you will see them sprout and start to grow. Once the seeds sprout, the seedlings will require a little more sun to grow. You can either move them to the windowsill or place them under fluorescent lighting, this will encourage growth. Keep them away from direct light.

#6 Asparagus fern

The Sprenger’s asparagus or the asparagus fern is one of the fast growing indoor plants that you can grow from seeds. These plants are quite interesting as they are named after plants they have no connection with. They are neither asparagus nor a fern.

The most interesting part is that the nickname for this plant foxtail fern. This being said this plant is native to South Africa and is lovely in gardens, home gardens, and offices. 

Asparagus fern is easy to plant from seeds as seeds of this plant easily sourced from the berries themselves. If you are lucky you can find up to 3 seeds in a single berry. The healthiest berries have a bright red color and a diameter of about a quarter of an inch.

Caution: berries of this plant can cause skin irritation use gloves while working with them.  

How to get the seeds of Asparagus fern berries?

Getting seeds out of the berries of Asparagus fern is not very difficult. All you need to do is cut open the berries a little and the seeds will pop right out. To use these seeds you need to be sanded using sandpaper. You can also pop them in warm water and wait for about 24 hours. Once this is done the seeds can be planted. 

Planting Asparagus fern is simple. Fill a container with starting mix to about ¾ inches. Moisten the mix and place the seeds in it. You then need to cover this with about ½ inch soil and moisten it again. Mist the soil and cover the container with plastic wrap.

Keep the seeds at room temperature. The germination process will take about 3 to 4 weeks. Once that’s done and seedlings start to show remove the plastic covering and place the container in more direct sunlight. When the Asparagus fern develops two leaves it’s time to repot them in individual pots.  

#7 African violet

If flowers are what you are looking for we have another one for you. The African violet is a great houseplant as it is fast-growing and easy to plant from seed. These plants come in six to twenty variants and are very versatile. These plants grow well both indoors as well as outdoors and are native to Tanzania. 

Generally, people propagate these using cuttings but you can easily plant them from seed. All you need is pasteurized peat moss, perlite, milled coconut, or a similar medium. Add water to the medium until its moist. You can then transfer the medium to seed starters and water again. Add in the seeds and cover it with plastic wrap.

Grow lighting is required to get the germination process started. Leave the container under the light for about 12 to 14 hours. One the seedlings grow to about 2 to 3 inches you can remove the plastic covering. Once the covering is taken off you can transfer the plants to individual pots.

These plants are the best fast-growing indoor plants from seed. There are others but these top the list with their unique looks and low maintenance qualities. The next section focuses on the frequently asked question about fast-growing plants. These will help choose the right plants to add to your indoor garden.

best fast growing plants
best fast growing plants

What is the fastest growing plant from seed?

The most common question asked on plant helplines are names of fastest growing plants from seeds. When you are looking for plants that grow in a jiffy you have two choices, you can either go for fancy plants that add to the aesthetics of the place or go in for plants that are more on the basic side of gardening.  

If you choose the latter you can try planting vegetables such as peas, beans, and radish. These grow quickly and are easy to maintain. For radish, the seeds need to be soaked before sowing. This will activate enzymes in them responsible for growth. You will see growth in about a week. 

Is it better to soak seeds before planting them?

This is another common question in gardening forums. It is said that the germination or seed growing process can often be triggered by soaking the seeds beforehand. Please note that seeds should not be soaked for more than 24 hours.

Also, refrain from using too much water as there are chances of drowning seeds. If this is the case they will not grow.

What are the fastest growing houseplants? 

Indoor plants grow fast and without much effort are the best to have and nurture. Here is a list of plants that are great to have. The seeds of these plants are a little difficult to find, but none the less they are grown fairly easily. 

#1 Velvet plant

This plant is beautiful to look at and have in your living or working space. The botanical name of this plant is Gynura aurantiaca, some people also call it the purple passion plant. This is due to the stunning purple leaves on this plant. 

The velvet plant hails from Southeast Asia and is a great plant to have as part of your home garden. 

#2 Snake plant

This plant not only has an interesting name but also has impressive looks. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family and can grow to about 3 to 4 feet. The size of the plant will definitely depend on the growing conditions but on average, this plant grows pretty tall. This plant is native to Africa and in its natural habitat it can get up to five feet tall. 

The snake plant is easy to grow and maintain. All you need is good lighting and space.

#3 Dieffenbachia

These plants are also known as dumb cane. They are flowering plants and found in most plants of the world like Argentina, the south West Indies, Mexico, and the New World Tropics. This is a plant that grows really big so plant them only if you have a large corner to spare.

The dumbcane needs a lot of water and light to grow and hence it is recommended to place them close to windows. The more light this plant receives the better it grows.

# 4 Golden pothos

Golden pothos or the devil’s Ivy as it’s commonly known is a fast-growing indoor plant. The seeds of this plant are a little difficult to come by as most gardeners plant these using cuttings of mature plants. Given the right growing conditions, these plants can grow up to 40 feet.

Place this plant away from direct sunlight and ensure that it is in a potting mix that drains well. When it comes to watering the golden pothos infrequent water is the key to better health. Water only when the soil is dry to touch.

#5 Asparagus plant

Like Radish, you can always grow your own asparagus. This plant is easy to grow from seed and is rich in vitamins and minerals that are good for you. They take about two to three weeks to grow and yield really well with little to no care.

Can you make an indoor plant grow even faster?

This may on the surface seem like a silly question but it is in a way relevant. Plants that are fast growing can be made to grow better and faster by looking after them. Though these plants do not need special attention and care you can pay attention to them by feeding them well. Here are some tricks you can follow:

Pay close attention to the root ball. Every once a while, take the plant out of the pot and loosen the roots. In this way, you can check not only for root disease by also change the pot if you feel the root is outgrown it.

Prune your indoor plants regularly. No matter how you grow them from seed or sapling pruning in time will go a long way.

Provide humidity to plants that need it. Pay attention to the type of plants in your garden and their specific humidity requirements.

Keep the plants clean, either wash them or wipe down the leaves from time to time. This way you can get rid of unwanted insects.

Fertilize and water only when necessary. Over watering and over fertilizing is bad for plant growth.

What factors can impact or stop a plant’s growth?

There are a number of factors that can affect the growth of your houseplants. They can be fast growing indoor plants from seeds but they will not do well if not cared for. Here are some of them

  • Underwatering – if the plant does not receive enough water it will not grow well. 
  • Overwatering – like mentioned in the previous section if plants are overwatered they will eventually perish. 
  • Wrong soil – soil plays an important role when it comes to the health of plants. The wrong soil type will be detrimental to plant health. 
  • Wrong temperature – like soil and water the temperature is the most important. Pay attention to the needs of the plant before setting the temperature in the room they are placed in. 
  • Light – light plays an important role. Too much or too little will cause the plant to go leggy or dry.

What should you do if your plant grows too big?

With fast growing indoor plants from seed, it can sometimes happen that the plant grows too big too fast. In such cases, it is important to prune the plant regularly. This will not only keep the plant in good health but will also avoid them from growing extremely tall.

After getting into specifics of fast-growing indoor plants from seeds let’s have a look at a broader picture to put things into perspective. If you are looking for plants to choose from look for the following

Annual Flowers

Annual flowers are those that sprout and grow rapidly. These are not only quick to grow but also add a splash of color to your home garden. You can choose from Sweet alyssum, celosia, cornflower or bachelor button, marigold, and cosmos these typically sprout within five to seven days.

Zinnias, sunflowers, and morning glories are also great additions, these not only look beautiful but can also be included in meal preparations.

Perennial Flowers

Like annuals, perennial flowers are also great to add to your home garden. Dianthus, black-eyed Susan, and Sweet William are either biennial or perennial plants depending on the variants you pick. These flowers germinate in about 10 days and grow quickly after sprouting.

Other perennial choices for your indoor garden include blackberry lily, blanket flower, rose champion, and gaura. These grow well in zones 3 through 8 and in zone 10.

Herbs

Not only flowers but your home garden can include herbs that grow well from seed. These add fragrance to the garden and are also great for your health when added to meals. Basil can be a great addition as it sprouts in about 4 days while chives, cilantro, and dill, which make their appearance seven to 14 days.

Mint grows quickly, as well, but you will need to plant it in a separate container to keep it from invading other plant spaces. Garden cress adds a sharp aroma and a peppery taste to dishes.

Vegetables

There are a number of vegetables that can be grown at home without much effort. This includes most types of lettuce and radishes. Cucumbers germinate within seven to 10 days, as well as mustard greens, spinach, scallions, and turnips. Blue Lake and Pencil Wax bean varieties are especially suitable for quick gardening, and cucumbers, squash, cantaloupe, and watermelon, with their four- to six-day germination period make excellent garden additions.

Now that we have a fair understanding of the plants that can be cared for at home as well as the fast growing indoor plants from seeds. We can say that caring for plants is not a task if you know what you are doing. All you need to do is understand the plants you have at home and their specific requirements. You also need not fuss about feeding or watering them often unless the plant demands it.

All in all, gardening is a wonderful experience, it is stress relieving and relaxing. Don’t let fussing about plants come in the way of this experience.

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