How To Plant Mesquite Seeds

The mesquite tree grows 25 feet tall and has an airy, open-branched appearance. Common in many arid environments, the mesquite is prized by xeriscape gardeners for its extreme drought tolerance. Mesquites only reproduce by seed, according to the Texas A&M University. Though you can sometimes buy a started mesquite sapling from a specialty garden store and nursery, planting seeds harvested from a tree is more budget-friendly.

Step 1

Harvest the mesquite seeds. The mesquite tree's blossoms develop into 2- to 6-inch pods that become dry and brittle in the late summer. Pick a pod that's firm and rattles when you shake it. Break the pod open to reveal the dark-colored seeds inside.

Step 2

Rub the seeds in sandpaper so the outer surface is scratched. This helps water penetrate the seed coating for faster germination.

Step 3

Stratify the mesquite seeds. This improves germination rates, according to New Mexico State University. Wrap the seeds in moist sphagnum moss and store it in a sealed container or bag in your refrigerator for eight weeks.

Step 4

Prepare a pot while waiting for the seeds. Use one pot for each seed you want to plant. Fill a standard gallon-sized pot with potting soil. If there are no drainage holes at the bottom, add 1 to 2 inches of gravel before pouring in the potting soil.

Step 5

Plant the mesquite seeds. Bury each seed 1/4 inch below the soil surface. Apply water twice a day or as needed to keep the soil moist. For best results, keep the temperature around the pot at 80 degrees F, according to the Texas A&M University.

Step 6

Transplant the mesquite sapling into the ground once it is 4 to 6 inches tall. Use a spade and dig a hole that's as deep, and slightly wider, than the size of the pot in which the seedling is located. Mix in a couple inches of aged compost to the soil to give the sapling a nutritional boost; mesquite are very hardy and need no additional fertilization.

Step 7

Slide the contents of the pot out of the pot and into the hole so it's resting upright. Fill in any open spots on the side with loose soil.