Not everyone lives in a region with the ideal climate to grow their favorite vegetables and fruits. And while that might be an issue (you should always ensure you only plant species that perform well in your USDA hardiness zone), it shouldn’t stop you from creating the garden of your dreams.
Indeed, if you live in an area with harsh winters, planting seeds directly in the soil at such low temperatures might damage your plants and stunt their growth.
Luckily, you can start your seeds indoors and wait until the weather warms up before transplanting your plants outside. But what if you don’t have seed-starting trays? Can you grow them in other containers?
If you have plastic cups around your house, we have good news: you can reuse them to plant seeds. Does that sound wild to you?
Keep reading this essential guide if you want to learn everything you need to know on the subject, including some examples of easy seeds to grow in a cup.
Why Should You Grow Seeds in a Cup?
If you don’t have the space to grow your plants, starting their seeds in a cup might help solve the issue. Doing so will help you optimize the use you make of the space.
Additionally, it will allow you to put plastic waste into use: stop throwing away plastic cups and transform them into practical seed trays! And if you are on a budget, this is an excellent example of how to save money while growing plants: use what you have at hand!
Because cups offer confined areas, growing your seeds in such environments will reduce how much time you’ll spend managing your plants. For instance, you’ll be able to plant them at different times without too much hassle.
Also, you won’t have to struggle when transferring them from one place to another, as they are easy to carry. But what plants’ seeds do better in cups? Jump to the following section to get a list of our favorite options!
Easy Seeds to Grow in A Cup: Our Tips
You can grow most plants’ seeds in a cup. However, not all thrive in such a confined space, which might result in unhealthy or underdeveloped roots, which will make your plants more susceptible to attacks from pests or diseases. Here is a list of the best seeds to grow in a cup.
- Basil – You can grow this versatile herb indoors with no issues if you know how to meet its requirements. Place them under direct sunlight and inadequate potting soil. Water them thoroughly but avoid wetting the leaves: it might cause fungal infections.
- Parsley – another herb you can start in a cup is parsley. These plants prefer partial shade and require consistently moist soil to produce harvests.
- Strawberry – you can grow strawberry seeds in a cup, even if you can’t offer plenty of direct sunlight. Remember to keep them well-watered and plant them in well-draining and fertile soil.
- Rosemary – while rosemary can grow extensively, it doesn’t need much space. This aromatic herb will thrive in cups. However, it won’t perform well unless you choose adequate soil. To encourage growth, make the necessary amendments to make the substrate slightly alkaline.
- Peppers – these colorful veggies can do well in cups. However, you’ll have to choose ones that allow enough breathing space to ensure healthy root development. Don’t forget to harden them off before exposing them to the outdoor conditions when starting them inside.
- Thyme and Sage – these herbs need direct sunlight and moisture to thrive. They aren’t fussy about space, making them easy seeds to grow in a cup.
Of course, there are other examples of plants you can start in a cup. For instance, you’ll have satisfactory results with lettuce, spinach, quinoa, mushrooms, green onions, and celery. But how do you grow seeds in a cup?
Growing Seeds in A Cup: Final thoughts
The best plants to grow in a cup are herbs: they aren’t too fussy and usually don’t need much space.
On the other hand, you’ll have to transplant your peppers, strawberries, asparagus, or lettuce seeds outdoors when they are ready. It is time to move them to a different one (or outdoors) as the soil dries too quickly, the roots start growing outside the container, and the plant doesn’t look happy anymore.
But overall, growing seeds in a cup isn’t rocket science.
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