How To Grow Stephanotis From Seed

The stephanotis plant is a tropical, woody climber that produces a small star-shaped white flower that is strongly fragrant. The stems are trained to grow on a trellis and will reach up to 10 feet long. Stephanotis plants produce large seed pods that contain 50 to 100 internal seeds in a pine cone shape for use in propagating new plants. The seeds will germinate in two weeks and the resulting new plants will produce flowers in two to three years.

Step 1

Remove the stephanotis seed pod from the plant once it turns yellow. Insert the pod into a netting bag to prevent seed loss and set it on a tray in a sunny window until it splits open.

Step 2

Open the seed pod with a sharp knife and gently remove the cylinder-shaped section of seeds. Spread the seeds in a single layer on a tray to dry.

Step 3

Fill a seed-starting tray with a seed-starting medium that contains sand. Lightly water the medium before seeding.

Step 4

Press a single seed into the medium so it is just under a layer of soil. Continue to press seeds into the tray at a space of 2 inches apart.

Step 5

Lightly spray the soil to moisten the top layer without making it wet. Place a clear plastic cover over the tray to increase the humidity level around the seeds. Place the tray in a warm location that receives indirect sunlight.

Step 6

Monitor the seeds daily to prevent the medium from drying out. Gently mist the soil if necessary. Germination will occur in approximately two weeks.

Step 7

Gently pull on the seeds to see if there is resistance from root growth. Transplant the seedlings once the seedlings are established to 4-inch plastic potting containers filled with seed-starting medium.

Step 8

Mist the seedlings with water to moisten the soil and place the pots in a location that receives direct sunlight for at least six hours daily.

Step 9

Harden the seedlings outdoors once there is no longer a danger of frost. Transplant the seedlings outdoors in a location that offers morning sunlight with light afternoon shade and a well-draining soil.