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Native Plant Society of Texas

How to grow Texas Bluebonnets from seeds

Presentation Details

This presentation explains how to grow Texas Bluebonnets from seeds. It explains when to plant the seeds, how and where to plant them, when the seeds will sprout, the stages of growth, when they bloom, how to tell when flowers have been
pollinated, how to tell when they have dropped their seeds, and what happens after that. It also covers why we want to grow native plants, and tells where to get more information about native plants. I can give the presentation in person or remotely. If in person, I will bring up to 40 bluebonnet seed packets to give out.

Equipment Required:
Projector, Microphone, Table
Additional Requirements:
Water
Ecoregions Covered:
Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies

Presenter Information

Steve Poole

Steve Poole has been growing native plants, including Bluebonnets, in his yard for several years. He is a member of the Williamson County NPSOT, and the Austin chapter of the […]

  • Steve Poole

    Steve Poole has been growing native plants, including Bluebonnets, in his yard for several years. He is a member of the Williamson County NPSOT, and the Austin chapter of the Sierra Club. He has NPSOT Native Landscape Certification Program Levels 1 and 2. He lives in Leander TX where he enjoys sharing seeds, plants, and plant knowledge. His yard is listed on the Homegrown National Park map. His public Instagram profile is nativeplantsinleander, where you can see pictures of some of his plants.

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason