How to Grow Persimmon Trees From Seed
If you live in the Southeastern United States, you’re undoubtedly familiar with persimmon trees and their juicy orange fruit. Persimmons are a distinctive tree, especially in autumn when they turn shades of reds, oranges and deep yellows. Although planting persimmon seeds isn’t difficult, persimmon trees are slow to germinate, and growing them from seed isn’t always successful. It’s definitely worth a try, though; and with patience and persistence, you may end up with a persimmon tree.
Rinse the persimmon seed in clear running water. If the seed is fresh, be sure to remove any pulp that still clings. Lay the seed on a paper towel to dry for a few hours, or overnight.
- If you live in the Southeastern United States, you’re undoubtedly familiar with persimmon trees and their juicy orange fruit.
Put a handful of damp peat moss or sand in a plastic bag, and bury the persimmon seed inside. Tie the top of the bag loosely and put it in the refrigerator. Leave the persimmon seed in the refrigerator for at least three months.
Fill a plastic pot with commercial potting soil and plant the seed about an inch deep in the soil. Put the pot in a tray of water and let the soil absorb water from the bottom. Once the soil is damp, remove the pot from the water. Put the pot in a clear plastic bag, poke several holes in the bag and seal it. Put the pot in a warm location that receives daylight, but no direct light.
- Put a handful of damp peat moss or sand in a plastic bag, and bury the persimmon seed inside.
- Put the pot in a tray of water and let the soil absorb water from the bottom.
Keep an eye on the pot for six to eight weeks, and if the persimmon seed hasn’t germinated, put the entire pot, along with the plastic, in the refrigerator. Persimmons seeds can be very slow to germinate, so leave it in the refrigerator for another three months, then bring it out and try again.
Move the seedling to a sunnier, warmer area after it pokes through the soil. Don’t be in a hurry to plant the persimmon tree outside. Give the seedling time to develop a sturdy stem, and then plant it outside in the spring after the weather has warmed up. Raising a persimmon from seed to the time it’s ready to plant outdoors can take several months.
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Writer Bio
M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing.
