Cousins, start here for seed questions, live plant arrival care, and soursop growing help.
Seed basics · Live plant arrival · Soursop seeds · Soursop tree care
Does my seed need light to sprout?
Cousin, the seed and the growing plant have different jobs. Some seeds need light to help them germinate. Other seeds belong under the mix. Once leaves emerge, all four crops below need suitable growing light.
LG means “needs light to germinate.” It does not mean low light, and it does not mean a grow light is required for every packet. Full sun describes the growing plant’s needs, not whether to bury the seed.
| Crop | Before sprouts | Find your guide |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | Light helps germination. Surface sow; do not bury deeply. | Seed-starting help · Types and varieties |
| Radishes | Cover at the variety’s listed depth. | Seed-starting help · Types and varieties |
| Beans | Cover at the variety’s listed depth. | Seed-starting help · Types and varieties |
| Cucumbers | Cover at the variety’s listed depth. | Seed-starting help · Types and varieties |
For lettuce, keep the surface moist without putting the tray in scorching direct sun. For covered seeds, move on to good seedling light as soon as sprouts emerge. Check warmth, moisture, depth and time before planting another whole packet.
Starting collards? Follow the collard seed-starting lesson and compare collard varieties.
Growing references: New Hampshire Extension: light and germination · Iowa State Extension: crop-by-crop germination requirements.
Your seeds: arrival to planting
My order arrived. What should I do first?
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.
Do all seeds need the same depth, heat, and soaking?
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.
What should I plant seeds in?
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.
How do I store ordinary dry vegetable and flower seeds?
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.
My seeds have not sprouted. What information helps?
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.
When your live plant arrives
What should I do first?
Open the box promptly, remove packing gently, and check the plant and root-ball moisture. Keep a potted plant’s roots together. Photograph any concern and keep the packaging. Follow the arrival instructions for the exact plant and form you ordered; shipping questions belong on our live plant and shipping requirements page.
Should I repot it immediately?
For a plant arriving potted, our suggested routine is to let it settle before unnecessary repotting, fertilizer, or heavy pruning. A broken pot, bare-root plant, or cutting may need a different first step. Follow its specific instructions or email help@plantandheal.com with photos before changing the setup. For soursop, use our arrival care guide.
How do I help it adjust to dry indoor air?
Humidity is moisture in the air. If your plant needs more humidity, a room humidifier can help; frequent misting is not an effective substitute. Keep pots draining freely rather than leaving roots in water. Follow the care guide for your plant: humidity needs vary. See Iowa State Extension’s humidity guidance.
For an arrival concern, email help@plantandheal.com with your order number and photos. Follow the reporting instructions and timing in your listing and our refund policy.
Soursop seed questions
Quick start: About ¾ inch deep · steady warmth around 77–86°F · moist, well-draining mix · patience for several weeks.
Why do my soursop seeds look black when damp and brown when dry?
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.
How deep do I plant soursop seeds?
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.
How much heat do soursop seeds need?
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.
Should I soak them first?
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.
How much water and light do they need?
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.
How long should I wait for sprouts?
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.
Can I store these seeds for later?
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.
Will every seed grow?
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.
Soursop seeds are for planting, not eating. For established plants, see our Soursop Tree Care guide.
Still have a question?
Email help@plantandheal.com with your order number and photos. Tell us what you’re seeing and how you’re growing it.
Growing references
Our wet-versus-dry color note comes from Plant & Heal’s own seed handling. Planting guidance draws on the references below; conditions and results vary.
- Iowa State Extension: Raising indoor humidity
- UF/IFAS: Tropical and Subtropical Fruit Propagation
- University of Minnesota Extension: Starting seeds indoors
- Chima, Etuk & Fredrick: Soursop sowing-depth study (2017)
- Osadolor & Okos-Iboje: Soursop pre-germination treatments
- PHYTON: Annona seedling study and germination conditions
Food Security Starts With a Seed.