Contributed by the Society for Louisiana Irises
The week of July 4th marks more than just fireworks and cookouts here in Louisiana — it’s also the traditional time to start harvesting and planting your Louisiana iris seeds! If you’ve been watching seed pods develop on your plants, now’s the time to get outside and collect them.
We’ve put together a photo series below that walks you through the process of collecting seeds from the pods and preparing them for germination. You’ll find detailed instructions in the caption of each photo.
#1 How to Tell If Seeds Pods Are Ready
Look for a slight yellowing of the pod, especially at the base or along the seams.
Once collected, you can dry the pods for a few days indoors and then crack them open to remove the seeds. Seeds can be stored in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant, or you can sow them immediately.
A Note of Caution About Wild Seeds
If your seeds came from wild species Louisiana irises growing on your property—and especially if bees or hummingbirds did the pollinating—be aware that you won’t know what color flowers those seeds will produce. Unless you’re sure that no other iris types were blooming within a few hundred yards, there’s a high chance of cross-pollination.
That uncertainty can be part of the fun if you’re open to surprises, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re trying to preserve a specific iris variety or native species line.
#2 What to Do After Harvesting the Seed Pods
Once the seed pods are removed from the plant, place them in a plastic baggie along with a moist paper towel. This helps keep the pods from drying out too quickly and preserves the seeds inside.
Ideally, you should remove the seeds from the pods and plant them as soon as possible after harvesting. Louisiana iris seeds do best when fresh. Delays in planting can reduce germination rates and slow down early growth.
#3 How to Safely Open Louisiana Iris Seed Pods for Harvesting
Once you’ve harvested your Louisiana iris seed pods, the next step is getting those seeds out. This may seem like a simple task, but there’s a bit of technique—and safety—to keep in mind. Here’s how to do it efficiently while protecting both your hands and your seeds.
Method 1: Using Pruning Shears
One effective method is to use the sharp blade of a pair of pruning shears:
- Turn the shears blade-side up and gently run it along the three widest, indented seams of the seed pod.
- On larger pods, you may choose to cut along the narrower sides instead, which can save time. Just be careful—this is where the seeds are located, so only make very shallow cuts to avoid damaging them.
Safety Tip: Always wear a glove on the hand that’s holding the seed pod. Keep the cutting blade facing away from your body, and push the shears forward rather than pulling them toward you. This reduces the risk of slipping or injury.
Method 2: Using an Oyster Knife
Another option is to use an oyster knife, especially handy if you have an oyster glove or lead:
- Hold the seed pod firmly in the glove or lead, just like you would when shucking oysters.
- Insert the oyster knife into one of the seams and gently twist to pop the pod open.
This method gives you more control and can feel safer than using a sharp blade, especially for smaller or tougher pods.
#4 Tempting but Risky: Letting the Pods Dry Naturally
It might seem easier to simply let the pods dry out and peel them open later. And while that does save effort, there’s a big drawback.
As the pod dries, so do the seeds inside. You’ll notice the difference in color—dried seeds turn brown, while fresh seeds are light tan. More importantly, dried seeds often take a full year to germinate, while fresh seeds can sprout within just a few months under the right conditions.
So while letting the pods dry out may seem like a good shortcut, it comes at the cost of delayed germination and potentially lower success rates.
#5 Separating Louisiana Iris Seeds After Opening the Pod
Once you’ve split open a Louisiana iris seed pod—whether by using pruning shears, an oyster knife, or another method—the next step is to carefully separate the seeds from the pod casing.
It’s a good idea to hold the opened pod directly over a shallow bin, tray, or clean container. This keeps the seeds from bouncing away or getting lost during the process. Many pods will naturally separate into three sections, and you can gently tap or scrape each section to release the seeds.
Look for plump, tan-colored seeds—those are your best candidates for planting. Discard any that are shriveled, blackened, or soft.
Once collected, the seeds should be planted immediately or stored temporarily in a sealed plastic bag with a moist paper towel to keep them from drying out.
This simple but important step ensures you don’t lose any of your hard-earned seeds—and gives them the best possible start toward becoming future blooms.
#6 How to Improve Louisiana Iris Seed Germination by Nicking the Seed Coat
Louisiana iris seeds have a tough, cork-like outer coating that helps them float in the wild, but this protective layer can sometimes slow down germination when you’re growing them in pots.
To give your seeds a boost, try nicking the seed coat just at the tip—taking care not to cut into the seed itself. Use a sharp blade or small knife and gently scrape or nick only the lighter-colored corky layer.
This simple step helps water penetrate the seed more easily and encourages faster sprouting.
After nicking, plant your seeds slightly below the surface of moist potting soil, keep them consistently moist, and watch for those first sprouts to appear in a few months.
#7 Planting Tips
To get the best results, plant the seeds right after harvesting, slightly below the surface of the soil. With regular moisture, they’ll likely sprout later in the fall as temperatures begin to drop.
#8 What to Expect: Louisiana Iris Seedlings in 4–5 Months
Growing Louisiana irises from seed is a rewarding process that requires a bit of patience. After planting your fresh seeds just below the soil surface and keeping them moist, you can expect to see seedlings start emerging in about four to five months.
By this time, a healthy pot will be filled with dozens of delicate green shoots, all ready to continue growing before transplanting or thinning out. This early growth phase sets the stage for your irises to mature and bloom in future seasons.
Remember, maintaining consistent moisture and providing indirect sunlight during this period helps your seedlings thrive.
Two Ways to Plant Your Iris Seeds
There are two general approaches to planting Louisiana iris seeds:
- Broadcasting them in the garden – This is the simplest method. Just scatter the seeds in your flower beds and let nature take its course. But be warned: the success rate will be low. Between weather, pests, and the randomness of natural germination, only a small percentage of seeds will survive and grow into mature plants.
- Potting them for germination – If you want a much higher success rate, this is the way to go. We’ve included longtime iris grower Kent Benton’s proven recipe for potting iris seeds to give them the best possible start. With a little care and patience, you’ll have strong, healthy seedlings ready to be transplanted into your garden by fall.
Kent Benton’s Seed Germination Process 7-12-2023
1. Add 1 cup of pine bark mulch or Gardenese Soil Amendment in a one-gallon pot. Fill the remainder of the pot with Gardenese Topsoil to 1″ from the top.
2. Nick corky coating of seed down to seed surface, taking care not to damage the seed. This is done with your thumbnail.
3. Cover the seed with 1⁄2″ of topsoil and water well.
4. Place pots in 70% to 80% shade. Early morning sun for about two hours is okay.
5. Protect from birds, as they will eat germinating/sprouting seeds. Squirrels and rats also eat the seed. Cutworms and grasshoppers eat the seedlings.
6. Temperatures below 32deg F for several hours will kill seedlings.
7. Germination should reach 70% within five months. When most seedlings are about 6″ tall, separate and plant in trays or single seedlings in 1 gal pots. Replant any non-germinated seeds.
8. Apply Miracle-Gro liquid fertilizer at 1⁄2 teaspoon per gallon of water every three weeks for the first six months. After six months, apply 14-14-14 time-release fertilizer every four months.
The Joy of Surprise Blooms
One of the most exciting parts of growing Louisiana irises from seed is that you never know what you’re going to get. If you’ve got a mix of iris colors blooming in your garden, bumblebees and hummingbirds have likely been hard at work cross-pollinating them. The seeds may produce completely new color combinations that you’ve never seen before!
A Word of Caution
While it’s fun to experiment in your own garden, please don’t scatter iris seeds into the wild. If your irises are named cultivars or hybrids, their offspring may cross-pollinate with nearby wild irises. Over time, this can dilute or even erase naturally occurring native iris populations.
Make It a Party
Got a lot of pods to open? Why not do it Louisiana-style and turn it into a social event? Gather some friends, pour some iced tea (or something stronger), and enjoy the rhythm of seed-pod popping. You can see how we’ve done it before in this short video:
https://www.facebook.com/GreaterNewOrleansIrisSociety/videos/2603038733058684
