Seed Treatment:
• Seeds are very small and require light to germinate, so do not cover them with soil.
• Soak in room-temperature water for 12–24 hours to soften the seed coat and support moisture uptake.
• Use a fine mist spray to prevent washing seeds away after sowing.
When to Sow:
• Indoors: Sow 8–10 weeks before last frost date.
• Outdoors: Transplant seedlings after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
Sowing Instructions:
• Use a fine, moist, well-draining seed-starting mix.
• Surface sow the seeds—do not bury them.
• Gently press seeds into the soil to ensure contact.
• Maintain consistent moisture and provide bright, indirect light or use grow lights.
• Cover trays with plastic to retain humidity during early germination.
• Ideal temperature: 70–80°F (21–27°C).
• Germination time:
- Typically 7–14 days,
- Maximum germination time: up to 30 days (especially under cooler or fluctuating conditions).
Light Requirements:
• Requires full sun after transplanting.
• Indoors: Use grow lights or a sunny windowsill for seedlings.
Soil Requirements:
• Prefers loamy, fertile, and well-draining soil.
• Enrich soil with compost before transplanting.
• pH range: 5.5–6.5.
Watering:
• Keep soil evenly moist during germination and early growth.
• Water established plants deeply but infrequently — do not allow soggy conditions.
Spacing & Transplanting:
• Transplant when seedlings are 4–6 inches tall.
• Space plants 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart in rows about 2.5–3 feet apart.
Growing Tips:
• Grows up to 5–6 feet tall.
• Can be harvested for ornamental use, foliage, or traditional processing.
• Grown as an annual, but may self-seed in favorable climates.