Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

Difficulty: ⭐⭐☆☆☆

Seed Collection Time:

September through November — after late-summer flowering.

Signs seeds are ready:

• Flower heads dry out and turn brown.

• Seeds have fluffy white pappus attached.

• Seeds are firm, dark-colored, and detach easily when shaken.

Seed collection steps:

• Cut entire seed heads once fluff is visible and heads are fully dry.

• Place in a paper bag to finish drying for 1–2 weeks.

• Strip seeds and fluff by hand or separate with a screen.

Germination tip:

• Requires cold stratification (30–60 days) for best germination.

• Surface sow seeds (need light to germinate) or press gently into soil without covering.

• Best sown outdoors in fall for natural stratification or refrigerated before spring planting.

• Germination occurs in 2–4 weeks after stratification in warm, moist conditions.