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About this seed
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial that grows from an unbranched taproot, and its seed needs light to germinate, so press it onto the soil surface instead of burying it.
Also known as: Common dandelion, Lion's tooth, Kanphool and Dudhali (Hindi), Diente de león (Spanish), Pissenlit (French), Löwenzahn (German), Tarassaco (Italian), Dente-de-leão (Portuguese), Leontodon taraxacum (older scientific name).
Germination
Seed takes 14–21 days at soil temperatures of 10–25 °C. In one laboratory study, fresh seed germinated most at alternating 20 °C for 16 hours and 10 °C for 8 hours, while seed stored for 30 days germinated most at 20/15 °C. Germination began over a wide range of temperatures, but this is a single study and the values are approximate.
Growing steps
- Press the seed lightly onto moist soil and keep it moist until it sprouts; light helps break dormancy.
- Thin to 15 cm apart for full crowns, or 5 cm apart for baby greens.
- Flowers start 56–105 days after sowing and continue for the life of the plant.
- Cut flowers before they set seed if you do not want it to spread.
Taking leaves
The youngest leaves are the mildest. Mature leaves need blanching or cooking. Growing in partial shade, or covering the rosettes with a disc for a week before harvest, reduces bitterness.
Limits
The taproot regrows from fragments, so dig out the whole root if you remove a plant. We have no sourced germination percentage for this lot and do not state one.
FAQ
Why should I not cover dandelion seed with soil?
Light helps break the seed's dormancy, so burying it can hold germination back.
How do I make the leaves less bitter?
Harvest young leaves, grow plants in partial shade, or cover the rosettes for a week before cutting.
