How to Grow Jack in the Pulpit from Seed

 

This plant known as Jack in the pulpit is actually a woodland understory plant that thrives in rich soil along boggy areas and stream banks. The Jack in the pulpit plant prefers specific growing conditions, propagating the plant isn’t as simple as just planting the seeds. For one thing, the plant germination is dependent on stratification. However, you can still propagate the jack in the pulpit from seed with a little preparation. Continue reading to learn how to grow jack in the pulpit from seed.

 

 Jack in the Pulpit Info

The scientific name of jack in the pulpit is Arisaema triphyllum. After the jack in the pulpit plant flowers has been pollinated by insects crawling into the spathe or hood of the plant, the spathe withers and a small cluster of green berries will appear. The berries will continue to grow and change hue from green to orange by August and then to a brilliant red by September. This fire engine red is actually the signal to harvest the berries for propagation. Once you have gotten the berries, just locate the jack in the pulpit seeds which are inside the berry. There should be 1 to 5 white seeds inside. Just roll the berries around with your gloved hand until the seeds are visible. Remove the seeds from the berry.  

At this moment, you would think that planting the jack in the pulpit seeds is all that needs doing but propagating the plant from seed depends on a period of stratification first. You can either deposit the jack in the pulpit seeds in the soil outside, water in well, and then let nature take its course or stratify the seeds indoors for later propagation. To stratify the jack in the pulpit seeds, just place them in moist sphagnum peat moss or sand and then store them in the refrigerator in a plastic bag or storage container for about 2 and a half months.

 

How to Grow Jack in the Pulpit from Seed

Once the jack in the pulpit seeds have been stratified, you can easily plant them in a container of soilless potting medium and barely cover. Make sure you keep the jack in the pulpit seeds consistently moist. The seed germination should take place in around 2 weeks. There are some growers that keep the jack in the pulpit seedlings indoors for about 2 years prior to transplanting outdoors. Once the seedlings are ready just amend a shaded area of soil with a lot of compost and leaf mold and then transplant the plants. Make sure you water in well and keep consistently damp.