While several trees borrow the name “cedar,” only those in the Cedrus genus are true cedars. The most commonly grown species in the United States are Atlas cedar (C. atlantica), Deodar cedar (C. deodora) and cedar of Lebanon (C. libani). Native to the Himalayas, the mountains of northern Africa and the Mediterranean area, cedar trees are best known for their woodsy, spicy scent. Cedar cones are slow to mature after fall pollination -- typically 17 to 18 months. When ripe, they burst open, releasing winged, 1/3- to 1/2-inch long seeds. These seeds germinate readily and grow into striking trees that thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Deodar cedar is the exception and grows in USDA zones 7 through 9a.
Make a solution of 1 teaspoon of household bleach in 1 quart of water. Soak the cedar seeds in the solution for 15 minutes. Do this in late February or early March.
Moisten a handful of coarse sand and insert the seeds into it until they are completely enveloped. Place the sand bundle in a plastic sandwich bag and leave it in the refrigerator for one month.
Fill small planting pots to within 1 inch of the rim with sterile seed starting mix. Moisten the planting media until it is drenched and set the containers aside to drain completely.
Lay the cedar seeds on top of the seed starting mix and cover them with a 1/2-inch layer of fine aquarium gravel or chicken grit. Planting depth is especially critical to the success of the Deodar cedar seed -- do not plant it any deeper than 1/2 inch.
Place the germination containers in an area where the temperature remains at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Light isn’t important to cedar germination.
Keep the soil moist during germination but do not over-water. Cedar seeds and seedlings are particularly susceptible to damping off, a fungal disease. Water the seeds and seedlings by placing the container in a tray of water that reaches halfway up the side. Allow the soil to wick the water until the top of the soil is moist.
Mist the cedar seedlings daily with a fungicide, mixed with water according to label instructions, until the cedar seedlings have their third set of leaves.
Things You Will Need
- Measuring spoons
- 1-quart container
- Household bleach
- Coarse sand
- Plastic sandwich bag
- Germinating containers
- Sterile seed starting mix
- Fine aquarium gravel or chicken grit
- Shallow pan
- Spray bottle
- Fan (optional)
- Cedars don’t transplant well so avoid planting more than three seeds per pot and remove the weakest two when they have their third set of leaves.
- If the area in which you germinate the seeds is particularly damp, place a fan in the room to provide air circulation.
- The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation; Michael A. Dirr
- Arboriculture and Urban Forestry: Cedrus –- The True Cedars
- U.S. Forest Service: Cedrus Deodara
- Floridata: Cedrus Atlantica
- Tom Clothier’s Garden Walk and Talk: Damping-Off
- Jupiterimages/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images