What Seeds Should Not Be Planted In Toilet Paper Roll?

Recently, there has been a trend of growing seeds in toilet paper rolls. They are good for the environment, readily available, and economical. However, this option might not be feasible for all types of seeds.

So, what seeds should not be planted in toilet paper roll?

Seeds with long germination stages should not be planted in toilet paper rolls. For example, carrots, lime beans, corn, beetroots,  avocado, mango, papaya, zinnia, amaranth, dianthus, and gardenia. Toilet paper gets unrolled easily and is prone to catch molds. You can’t keep seeds in these rolls for a long time.

There are many debates about whether toilet paper rolls for planting seeds are even worth it. Moreover, you should consider other alternatives if toilet paper rolls for planting seeds. This article has everything you need to know about toilet paper rolls. Keep reading.

Mythbusting: Should You Really Plant Seeds In A Toilet Paper Roll?

Toilet paper rolls are biodegradable and economical to use for planting seeds. You can easily carry seeds in toilet paper rolls and control the light exposure of the seed. 

However, starting seeds in toilet paper rolls is not recommended. These are not meant to be pots for plants and have many drawbacks. Some of the drawbacks are mentioned below.

1. The toilet paper rolls aren’t made with suitable material for gardening and get unrolled easily, creating a messy situation. The seeds also get hampered in this process. 
2. Toilet paper rolls can easily get moldy or attack fungus, which you don’t want for your indoor garden. 
3. Toilet papers are narrow and may not be enough for seeds to spread roots freely and thrive. 
4. Planting seeds in toilet paper makes it difficult to keep the soil moist. Moreover, you can’t keep the soil dumped as it will ruin the paper.

So, if you ask, can you plant seeds in toilet paper rolls, the answer is yes. However,  should you plant seeds in a toilet paper roll? No, you should not plant seeds in a toilet paper roll. It is not worth it.

Reviving a dying seed might not be as easy as reviving a dying plum tree. So, It’s better to be careful while starting the seeds.

Instead of planting seeds in toilet paper rolls, you should use a container dedicated to germination. This will help the plant grow with proper space and moisture.

However, If you really want to give a toilet paper roll for planting seeds a try, plant seeds that easily get germinated. And you should completely avoid planting some seeds in a toilet paper roll. I will discuss those seeds in the next section.

What Seeds Should Not Be Planted In Toilet Paper Roll?

Some seeds have a long germination period, so they take more time to sprout and grow into a plant. Planting seeds with long germination stages in toilet paper rolls would be a bad idea.

Toilet paper rolls are not very durable and tend to unroll quickly. They also get moldy easily and aren’t spacious enough to hold large seeds. So, whatever seeds you plant in the toilet paper rolls need to be repotted quickly.

Here are some seeds with long germination periods that shouldn’t be planted in toilet paper rolls.

Fruit Seeds That Should Not Be Planted In Toilet Paper Roll

Fruit seeds that require a long time to germinate should not be planted in a toilet paper roll.  For example, avocado, mango, papaya, persimmon, pineapple, apple, cherry, grapes, orange, peach, pomegranate, prune, apricot, etc.  These seeds require more than a month to germinate.

Moreover, blueberry, cranberry, and quince also require a long time to germinate. These fruits should not be planted in toilet paper rolls. 

Vegetable Seeds That Should Not Be Planted In Toilet Paper Roll

Planting vegetable seeds in toilet paper rolls is not a good idea if those seeds take a long time to germinate.

Some vegetable seeds typically require more than 2 weeks to germinate. For example, carrots, lime beans, corn, beetroots, celery, okra, radish, peas,  parsnips, asparagus, and kale.

Avoid planting these vegetable seeds in toilet paper rolls. Planting tomato seeds in toilet paper rolls is not recommended as well.

Flower Seeds That Should Not Be Planted In Toilet Paper Roll

Flowers that take a long time to germinate include zinnia, amaranth, dianthus, gardenia, daisy, bromeliads, arum lily, violets, etc. These flower plants require at least 3 weeks of germination time. So, don’t plant these flowers in a toilet paper roll.

Moreover, dahlia tubers also should not be planted in toilet paper rolls. Using a suitable pot and favorable soil, you can even germinate dried dahlia tubers. 

Herb Seeds That Should Not Be Planted In Toilet Paper Roll

Herbs with a longer germination stage include rosemary, sage, chives, thyme, mint, parsley, and hyssop. These herbs require more than 2 weeks to germinate. So, it won’t be a clever idea to plant them in toilet paper rolls.

You should not plant these seeds in toilet paper rolls, as the roll will soon be unrolled, damaging the seeds.

Alternatives Of Toilet Paper Roll For Planting Seeds

There are various alternatives to toilet paper rolls for planting seeds, even those that need a long time to germinate. Some of those alternatives are given here.

Seedling Pots:

These are the most reliable options for planting seeds. Seedling pots are reusable, spacious, have a drainage system, and won’t catch mold as toilet paper rolls. These are cost-friendly as well. You can get 1 seedling pot for less than a dollar.

Peat Pots:

Peat pots aren’t reusable, but they are biodegradable. These pots are made with recycled materials. When it’s time for repotting, you can plant the entire pot into the new pot.

Unlike toilet paper rolls, they are spacious enough for any type of seeds and won’t get damaged easily in water.

Jiffy Pots:

This is another organic and biodegradable pot for starting seedlings. They are very cheap and have a drainage system. These pots are also spacious enough to hold any type of seeds.

Jiffy Pellets:

Another biodegradable and organic option for starting seeds in jiffy pellets. These pallets don’t require different soil or seed-raising mix. These are cheap and easy to start seeds into.

You can choose any of these options instead of toilet paper rolls.

How to Plant seeds Using Different Alternative Methods

If you have decided to use these alternative methods of toilet paper rolls for starting seeds, let’s discuss how to use these.

How To Plant Seeds In A Seedling Pot?

To start seed in a seedling pot, follow the process below.

1. First, you have to fill the seeding pot with seed starting mix or potting soil. leave around a half-inch space at the top. 
2. Water the pot lightly to make the soil moist. 
3. Carefully place the seeds into the soil. Depending on the seed, you may need to bury them very deep in the soil. Some seeds require burying only around half an inch. Before planting, know about the seed you are working with. 
4. Again water the soil gently to help settle the soil around the seeds.
5. Place the pot as per the seed’s requirement environment. Typically away from direct sunlight. 
6. Once the seedlings have sprouted, transplant them into larger pots or the garden. As you are planting seeds in the ground, make sure to remove if there are any Bermuda seeds on the grass. Bermuda seeds are not good for the seedlings. 

How To Plant Seeds In A Peat?

Here’s how you use a peat pot to start the seed.

1. Fill the peat pot with a seedling mix and water the mixed soil. 
2. Plant the seed into the peat pot and gently press it down. 
3. To germinate the seeds, keep the soil mix evenly moist while the pot is in a warm and well-lit place.
4. When it’s time for transplanting the seedling, carefully split the sides of the peat pot and remove its bottom. 
5. Place the seedling along with the peat pot in the new pot or garden soil.  The peat pot will decompose over time and it will provide nutrients to the growing plants.

How To Plant Seed In A Jiffy Pot?

To plant seeds in a jiffy pot, you need to follow the same process as mentioned in the peat pot above. These pots can be planted along with a seedling into a new pot directly in the garden. 

How To Plant Seed In A Jiffy Pallet?

To plant seeds in a jiffy palette, follow the steps mentioned below.

1. Fill a tray with water and place the Jiffy pellet in the water to soak for a few minutes. It will expand and become spongy. 
2. Once the pellet has expanded, gently press it down to remove any excess water. carefully not to ruin its shape. 
3. Place the pellet in a tray or container with drainage holes.
4. Make a small pit on the top of the pellet with your finger or a pencil.
5. Place the seed in the pit and cover it with a small amount of soil mix.
6. Water the pellet gently. make sure the seed doesn’t get washed away. 
7. keep the pallet in a warm place away from direct sunlight.
8. When the germination is done, carefully remove the Jiffy pellet from the tray or container and plant it in the ground or another bigger pot.

Which Alternative Method Is Better for Planting Seeds?

All the above-mentioned alternatives are popular and really good for planting seeds. However, if you want the closest alternative to a toilet paper roll, peat pots are the best. They are biodegradable and you can transplant the seedling to the ground without disturbing the root.

Moreover, unlike jiffy pellets, they don’t need to be placed in an additional container. You can find peat pots in different sizes as well.

Can You Grow Plants In Toilet Paper?

You should never grow plants in toilet paper rolls. Most plants won’t even grow in these. Toilet paper rolls can’t hold moisture properly and are not durable and spacious enough to grow plants. You can only start the seed in toilet paper rolls if you want. However, this is not recommended as well.

Can I plant a plant in paper shredding?

Yes, you can plant a plant in shredded paper mulch. These are biodegradable and provide your plants with nutrients. They also help retain moisture for the plant.

Does Toilet Paper Roll Decompose In Soil?

Yes, toilet paper rolls are biodegradable and easily decompose in the soil. Typically, they require around 5 weeks to decompose.

Conclusion 

Now you know what seeds should not be planted in toilet paper roll. It’s best to avoid toilet paper rolls for planting seeds. Still, if you want to try it, avoid the seeds mentioned in this article.

Moreover, don’t forget to follow the tips given here for planting seeds in toilet paper.

That’s all for now. All the best, and happy gardening!