How To Germinate Seeds On Paper Towels – A Total Guide

One of the fastest methods you can do to quickly sprout seeds is to germinate them on a paper towel. I do this every year for vegetables as it is the fastest way to sprout seeds with minimal effort, as they germinate very quickly. It is also easy to transplant them to dirt after they sprout, as long as you to so gently.

Every year in early Spring I start seeds on a paper towel, as it is the fastest method to germinate them. It lets me know that my seed is viable, usually within 5-7 days, which can save a lot of time in the event that your seed is too old you are not waiting weeks for bad seed to germinate.

In this guide I will show you why and how to grow seeds on a paper towel, and how to transfer/transplant them after germination, as well as what seeds you can germinate on a paper towel. I will then show you how to transplant those germinated seeds into containers.

In this article:

• Benefits of using a paper towel to germinate seeds
• Materials needed
• Process to germinate / sprout seeds on a paper towel
• How to transplant sprouted seeds from towel to dirt
• Types of seed you can germinate on a paper towel
• Tips to prevent mold on the paper towel

Benefits of germinating seeds on a paper towel instead of soil

Knowing your seed is viable

Germinating seeds on a paper towel will tell you if your seeds are viable, as in general they germinate within 1-5 days. University research has shown that germinating seeds on a paper towel will accurately predict viability of the packet or lot. [1]

A quicker start to your plants

You can transfer sprouted seeds to containers with potting soil, giving you a head start on the growing season.

No wasted time on non-viable seed

Sometimes the vegetable seed we buy is bad, not viable, or just too old as seeds lose viability with time. If we plant seed that is not viable in pots, by the time we find out it is bad we will have lost weeks waiting for it to sprout. This wasted time could mean a much shorter harvest of the crop. By germinating seed on a paper towel, we can find out much faster if our seed is ok.

Seed companies do it!

Have you ever noticed how some seed packs have the percent viability listed on them? Well, the way most seed companies test the percent viability is doing so by germinating them in a paper towel! That’s right – germinating seeds on a paper towel is just about the most efficient method to sprout seeds. It is so efficient even industry does it. [2]

Okay – let’s see what we need to do in order to start seeds on a paper towel

How to transplant sprouted seeds from towel to dirt

Within a day of your seeds sprouting you should plant them in pots or containers. At this stage it is quite easy to transfer seeds from the paper towel to a pot with moist potting soil.

1- Prepare your container. Fill a container with moist potting soil, leaving a 1/2″ gap at the top (12 mm).

2 – Transfer the seed to the soil. For larger seeds you can use your fingers and gently pick them up. For smaller seeds you may need to use a utensil of some kind such as tweezers, a popsicle stick, or plastic spoon. If you place the popsicle stick next to the seed and press down on the paper towel, then guide the sprouted seed onto the stick or spoon.

3 – Make a hole in the potting soil. Using a pencil or pen, press a small hole slightly deeper than your sprouted seed.

4 – Plant your seed. Gently place the seed root down in the hole. We want to minimize the amount of times we handle the seed, so if it fall into the hole with the root on it’s side, it should be fine. If the root is up, see if you can gentle turn it using a pencil or something similar.

5 – Cover the seeds with moist potting soil. Apply a layer of moist potting soil to the seed to the depth specified on your seed package. Then very gently tamp it with your thumb.

6 – Water. Water the seeds by misting with a spray bottle or watering from the bottom to ensure your potting soil is moist. Don’t water with a watering can.

What to do if a germinated seed is attached to the paper towel?

If you find that the root of a sprouted seed has attached itself to the paper towel, then we need to modify our method to remove it. Either tear or cut around the area where the root is attached. Then, transfer the seed, root, and towel portion to a container.

Don’t be afraid – I have successfully done this numerous times. Just be gentle and try not to disturb the root.

The small portion of paper towel that is still attached to the root will not harm the plant at all, and will decompose over time. White paper towels will not add harmful chemicals, and are perfectly safe for the garden. I’ve done this numerous times with tomatoes.

Can you plant seeds germinated on a paper towel direct to the garden?

In short, yes you can plant your seeds direct to the garden outside. Simply transfer them the same way as you did to containers. You should only do this if your soil is warming up, as most species don’t grow well in cold soil.

What seeds can you sprout on a paper towel

There are numerous species of seed that can be germinated on a paper towel. The limiting factor is size. Extremely small seeds can be difficult to transfer to a container or ground.

25 different vegetable seeds you can germinate on a paper towel

1. Basil
2. Beans
3. Beets
4. Broccoli
5. Broccoli Raab
6. Cabbage
7. Cantaloupe
8. Cauliflower
9. Chile peppers
10. Chives
11. Cilantro
12. Cucumber
13. Lettuce
14. Peas
15. Peppers
16. Pumpkins
17. Radish
18. Snow Peas
19. Spinach
20. Squash (all kinds)
21. Tomatillo
22. Tomatoes
23. Watermelon
24. Winter Squash
25. Zucchini

In addition to vegetables, you can do the same procedure to germinate Sunflower, Zinnia, and other flower seeds on paper towel. Really, anything that doesn’t have cold stratification requirements and isn’t too large can be germinated on a paper towel. In fact, keeping White Oak acorns in a container gently covered with a moist paper towel will get them to sprout.

Should you soak seeds before paper towel?

There are many seeds that will benefit from a good overnight to full day soak in tap water prior to sprouting on a paper towel. Legumes (Beans) and Squash seeds in particular do well when the outer seed coating is softened. In fact, I can get most squashes to germinate within 24 hours by removing the white husk or soaking overnight prior to sowing.

How to avoid mold on the paper towel

One of the largest problems encountered when germinating seeds on a paper towel is mold. It will likely happen to you at some point, but I can tell you a couple of tips to avoid mold.

1 – Keep a clean and sterile work environment.

Above all else, keep your work surface and towels clean before use. If your hands are washed, work surface is clean/disinfected, and your towel & container are sterile, you will minimize the chances of mold occurring.

2 – Don’t over-wet the paper towel.

You want the paper towel moist, but not soggy wet! A moist dark environment is perfect for mold and fungus, and we happen to be putting our seeds directly into it. Too much water can easily lead to rotting or mold/fungi growing.

If your seeds are large, you can always presoak them in a 10% bleach/water solution for a minute or two. Doing so will help ensure that your seeds aren’t the source of any dormant mold spores. Just rinse them thoroughly under clean water afterwards. Then, go ahead and try sprouting them on the paper towel.

Now, don’t overthink the mold issue – just try to keep your hands, seeds, and work surface clean. Believe it or not sometimes our seed is the problem! In fact, researchers in Brazil used the paper towel germination method to identify seed that may be contaminated with pathogens! [6] They showed that not only was the paper towel method a good proxy for viable seed, but also for diseased seed.

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