Why Your Seeds Aren’t Sprouting and How to Fix It
When you plant seeds and nothing happens, it’s frustrating. Beginner gardeners often assume the seeds are “bad,” but most germination failures come from a few simple issues that are easy to fix.
Here are the most common reasons seeds don’t sprout and what to do about each one.
1. Soil is too cold or too warm
Most vegetable seeds sprout best between 65 and 80 degrees.
If the soil is colder, germination slows or stops completely.
Fix:
Keep the seed tray in a warm room or use a seedling heat mat if you're starting indoors.
2. Soil dried out after planting
If seeds dry out even once, they often die before sprouting.
Fix:
Keep the soil consistently moist, never soggy.
Covering the tray with a humidity dome helps retain moisture.
3. Soil is too dense
Garden soil or cheap potting mixes are often too heavy for seeds.
Fix:
Always use a light seed starting mix like coco coir or peat-free blends.
4. Seeds were planted too deep
If seeds are buried too far, they run out of energy before reaching the surface.
Fix:
Use the simple depth rule:
Plant seeds two to three times deeper than their size.
5. Old or poor-quality seeds
Seeds lose viability over time, especially if stored in heat or humidity.
Fix:
Use fresh seeds and store extras in a cool, dark, dry place.
6. Not enough light
Seeds sprout in darkness, but once they emerge, they need bright light immediately.
Without it, they stall or die before breaking the soil surface.
Fix:
Place trays in a bright window or use a grow light right above the tray.
7. Overwatering
Seeds rot easily in soggy soil.
Fix:
Water lightly and allow excess water to drain out.
Use trays with drainage holes.
8. Wrong temperature after sprouting
Even if seeds germinate, sudden cold can kill the emerging root before it breaks through.
Fix:
Avoid cold drafts and keep temperatures stable.
9. You may simply need more time
Some seeds sprout in 3 days.
Others take 14.
Some herbs take 21.
Fix:
Check the seed packet for timing and be patient.
When in doubt, keep it simple
Most germination problems come down to:
-
moisture
-
temperature
-
depth
-
soil type
Dial in these four and your germination rate will immediately improve.