How to Harvest Bluebonnet Seeds

Overview

Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas. These annual lupines have deep blue flowers, often with a single white bloom at the top. Bluebonnets are a cool-season annual, reaching their peak bloom in early to mid-spring. While bluebonnets readily self-seed each year, ensuring even coverage in your garden requires that you spread the seeds evenly over the bed. Saving seeds from your garden bluebonnets allows you to grow these year after year without the need to purchase fresh seed.

Step 1

Cut off the flower stalk with a pair of shears once the flowers begin to wilt and the pods begin swelling. The pods form where the flowers were along the stalk and resemble a round swollen area.

Step 2

Place the flower stalks into paper sacks. Set them in a warm, dry room for two weeks to finish drying and maturing.

Step 3

Shake the flowers stalks into the bag, dislodging the seeds. Examine each flower stalk as you remove it from the bag and pinch any unopened pods so the seeds fall out.

Step 4

Place the bluebonnet seeds in a jar and label it with the flower name and year harvested. Store in a cool, dry place until you are ready to plant.