4 Foolproof Ways to Germinate Bells of Ireland

Bells of Ireland are unique flowers. Besides their shape and gorgeous chartreuse colour, they also have a minty, citrusy smell and are irresistible to my flower-farming customers. Needless to say, it’s in my best interest to grow them and to grow lots of them. However, my journey to growing Bells of Ireland has been fraught with toil, strife, and broken dreams. In this blog post, I share a little about my experience growing Bells of Ireland and the four best methods for germinating them!

A person wearing glasses and a striped dress stands outdoors, holding a large bouquet of green Bells of Ireland and yellow flowers, smiling. A wooden fence, trees, and a clear sky are in the background. — P.S. Sorry that I’ve said that these are “foolproof” methods. I realize that was a little clickbaity, but I really want these to work for you in your garden!

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My journey with Bells of Ireland

The first time I tried growing Bells of Ireland, I didn’t have super successful germination. I had direct sown them in my mom’s garden, then kind of forgotten about them. They were a happy surprise when they bloomed later that year, but it wasn’t the best way to start my Bells of Ireland journey. The next year, I saw some starts at a local garden center and was so excited because I didn’t have to germinate them, but they only had four plants in stock. Needless to say, I didn’t have a lot of Bells of Ireland that year either.

After two failed attempts, I went into full-scale seed-starting mode. I bought 200 seeds and only germinated 3. Because I am a mom with small littles, I killed them all. But, lo and behold, some of the seeds from the previous year had germinated in my garden (yay, volunteers!), so I was left with three precious Bells of Ireland plants. No one was allowed to touch them. I was determined that those plants would be nurtured by me, with my own sweat and effort, and only me.

Yet again, to hedge my bets, I purchased another 200 seeds of Bells of Ireland in addition to those I had saved. I heard about a germination trick from Flower Hill Farm and put half of my seeds into a plastic bag that I taped to the window (more on this below) and the other half in a tray I threw outside on my deck to cold stratify. The third way to hedge my bets was hoping the seeds that had fallen to the ground would germinate for me.

While the results are better than last year, so far, they still remain on the dismal side. I currently have 10 Bells of Ireland seedlings that have worked from the Flower Hill germination trick. Unfortunately, my saved seeds did not work using this trick as of the writing of this post. I have yet to see if the two other methods will work.

Without further ado, here are the four methods for germinating Bells of Ireland!

Close-up of a garden with lush, green, bell-shaped flowers surrounded by various other plants and foliage. The background shows a house with brown trim and a partially cloudy sky. The soil appears dark and fertile, supporting the healthy plant growth.

Four Methods for Germinating Bells of Ireland

1. Direct Sow as Soon as the Snow Melts

This method is as simple as it sounds. As soon as you have workable soil that isn’t mud, take your Bells of Ireland seeds and plant them where you want them.

2. In a Tray Outdoors During the Winter

Sometime over the winter, fill a 50-cell tray full of potting soil. Put 1-2 seeds in every cell, cover each cell with a little more potting soil or vermiculite, and then put your tray outdoors on the porch, deck, or other safe space that will get both cold and snow. Then you can put the tray underneath grow lights after a few weeks or inside your greenhouse to hopefully germinate!

Close-up of young green Bells of Ireland seedlings growing in small plastic grid compartments filled with soil. The leaves are vibrant, slightly textured, and have a fresh appearance, suggesting healthy growth.

3. A Bag Taped Against the Window

Some of you may have done this experiment in your elementary science class, but it works in real life, too! Grab a paper towel, soak it with water, and spread your seeds on it. Fold the paper towel to fit in your plastic bag, zip it up, and tape it to the window (preferably a south-facing one). The seeds should germinate in 21 days or sooner. Chances are, if they haven’t germinated by that point, nothing will happen.

A clear plastic bag containing a small cloth with dark seeds hangs on a glass door using two white clips. Outside, there is snow covering the ground, patio furniture, and trees in the background. The sky is clear and bright.

Small seeds are scattered on a white, textured paper towel, with a few showing signs of sprouting. The paper towel is slightly wrinkled, and the seeds are irregularly spaced across the surface.

4. Let the Volunteers Grow

Perhaps the most successful method, but also the most unpredictable one. Leave a few Bells of Ireland plants to mature and dry out. Resist the temptation to cut them down! The seeds should naturally fall to the ground, and you should have some new baby Bells of Ireland plants shortly after your last frost date.

A dried Bells of Ireland plant with conical seed pods lies on a weathered wooden surface. Some of the pods have detached from the stem and are scattered around. Small seeds can be seen near the bottom of the image.

The Germination Method that Doesn’t Work

Putting the Seeds in the Fridge for a Few Weeks

In theory, putting the seeds in a fridge for a few weeks should mimic cold stratification and give you results. But I have tried this method three years in a row with horrible results, so I can’t recommend it. Maybe your fridge is better than mine! If this method is successful for you, please tell me in the comments!

Green flowering Bells of Ireland plants grow tall amidst a garden setting, showcasing clusters of round, bell-shaped blooms. In the background, darker foliage and other vegetation add contrast. The garden bed has a mix of green and dark reddish-brown plants.

If you liked this blog post, find me on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram for more cold-climate vegetable gardening tips, delicious recipes, and cut flower goodness! I also make weekly videos over on my YouTube channel. I hope to see you there!

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