Pandanus trees can be grown from seeds. In each key of the pandanus fruit, there are at least 1 to 3 seeds, if not more. The only way to tell if a seed is viable is to plant it and see.
Germination of the pandanus seeds can take up to 12 months so you will need to be patient when germinating your own pandanus pine seeds.
Steps to Germinate a Pandanus Pine from Seeds (Keys)
How to germinate pandanus seeds
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Fill Pot with Soil
Fill either a large pot or several seedling trays with a propagation potting mixture. Don’t over-compress the potting mix in the pot, and use a well-draining potting mix.
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Plant the Pandanus Keys
Start placing the keys out in your pot.
The keys in the above photo used in my example are fresh keys. The drawback of using fresh keys is that they will attract insects like fruit flies, regular flies and mosquitos and they do put off an “old fruit” smell.
If you can find some dried up keys they won’t stink or attract any insects.
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Don’t Try and Plant Too Many Pandanus Keys
Give your keys around half an inch to an inch space between each other and press them all firmly into the potting mix.
One this that could kill your chances of germinating any seeds is if they are exposed to frost. Before winter comes if you want to keep the seeds move them somewhere they will be warm and free from frost.
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Water the Pandanus Keys
The seeds in the keys like to be regularly watered. During the summer months make sure you keep up the regular watering or the keys.
Warning: During the colder months you will need to reduce your watering schedule. They are more likely to rot if wet and cold.
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Insects and Pest to Watch For
If you use fresh keys from the pandanus fruit you will likely attract fruit flies and other insects that are interested in the rotting fruit flesh.
If can find some dried up keys on the ground near a pandanus tree grab them instead (or as well as) and see which one grows better.
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Preventing pests and insects
For my example above, to prevent all the insects from being attracted to the keys, I covered them with soil. It is unlikely that this will affect the growth of the seeds inside the keys.
Supply:
- Several pandanus keys
- Potting mix
- Water
Tools:
- Pot or seedling tray
FAQs
How Do You Grow Pandanus from Seeds?
Follow my guide in this blog to learn how to grow pandanus trees from seed.
How Long Does a Pandanus Seed Take to Germinate?
It can take up to 12 months before the seeds inside the pandanus fruits germinate.
Other Ways to Propagate Pandanus Palm Trees?
Pandanus tree can be propagated from a mature tree’s stilt cuttings.
What Does Pandanus Tectorius Seeds Taste Like?
The seeds inside of the pandanus keys were part of the aboriginal delicacy. They are reported to have a nutty taste and to be rich in protein.
The seeds can be eaten either raw or cooked/roasted.