Seeds & Growing FAQs

Open it promptly, check the contents against your order, and keep the labeled packets. Photograph anything damaged, missing, or concerning and email help@plantandheal.com with your order number. For shipping and order terms, see our shipping policy and refund policy.

No, Cousin. Follow the instructions for that particular seed. Some need light at the surface; others need covering. Some benefit from soaking; others do not need it. The soursop directions below apply to soursop, not to every packet in your order.

Use clean containers with drainage holes and fresh seed-starting mix. Moisten the mix before sowing. Heavy, compacted soil and standing water make it harder to maintain the air and moisture seeds need.

Keep them labeled, dry, cool, and out of direct sunlight in a sealed container. Storage life varies by species and conditions. Fresh tropical seeds may need different handling—check their specific instructions.

Send your order number, seed name, packet/lot photo, planting date, depth, growing mix, watering routine, and measured soil temperature if available. Include a photo of the whole setup. That helps us find the problem instead of asking you to start over blindly.

In our own seed handling, we see soursop seeds look darker—sometimes nearly black—when damp, then browner as the surface dries. That change alone does not mean a seed has gone bad. Color alone also cannot confirm that a seed will sprout. If yours arrive soft, leaking, visibly moldy, or with an unusual odor, send us clear photos before planting.

Plant about ¾ inch (2 cm) deep in a loose, well-draining seed-starting mix. Cover gently; do not pack the mix hard. Use a container with drainage holes. A soursop study comparing 2, 4, and 6 cm depths found the best early growth at 2 cm.

Aim for steady warmth around 77–86°F (25–30°C) in the growing mix. This is a practical starting range, not a promise of germination. Check the temperature at seed depth: a warm room can still have a cold pot. A seedling heat mat with a thermostat can help in a cool home. Avoid radiators, ovens, and sealed containers in direct sun.

An optional room-temperature water soak for 24–48 hours can help hard-coated seeds take up water. Use clean water, change it daily, and plant promptly afterward. Research results vary by seed lot and treatment; soaking is not a guarantee. Do not use boiling water or cut into the seed.

Start with evenly moist mix and keep it moist without leaving the pot standing in water. Check before watering instead of watering on a fixed schedule. Keep the pot in a warm, protected spot with bright, filtered light. After sprouting, increase light gradually.

Think weeks, not days. One soursop study recorded the first germination at 28 days, with more seeds germinating over the following weeks. Some take longer. Keep the planting date, warmth, and moisture consistent; avoid repeatedly digging up the seeds to check them.

We recommend sowing soon after arrival. If you need to wait, keep the labeled packet away from direct sun, hot cars, and excess moisture, and contact us for guidance on your seed lot. Do not assume every tropical seed has the same storage needs as dry vegetable seed. Once soaked, plant promptly.

A germination test describes a sample from a seed lot under test conditions. It cannot promise that every seed in every home setup will sprout. Keep your packet and lot information so we can help troubleshoot. We do not judge viability from color alone.