Seed Viability Test Planner
Plan a small germination check or record a sample you have already tested. Floating or sinking alone cannot tell you whether a seed will grow.
Enter your observations or load an example. Your entries stay in this browser.
Choose a representative sample
Keep seed lots separate and record the number tested. A tiny sample can give a misleading impression of the whole packet, so treat its percentage as an observation.
Follow the species requirements
Use packet or species guidance for moisture, temperature, light and timing. Some seeds need dormancy treatments; a generic towel setup is not suitable for every species.
Treat the float test cautiously
Whether a seed floats depends on more than viability. Do not count floating seeds as dead or sinking seeds as guaranteed to germinate.
Record a finished test
Divide the number germinated by the number tested and multiply by 100. For planning, desired seedlings divided by the observed fraction gives a rough seed count, rounded up; actual emergence can differ.
Reference guides
Related free tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Do floating seeds mean dead seeds?
No. Buoyancy alone does not establish viability. A suitable germination test provides more useful evidence.
How long should I wait?
Use the species’ recommended conditions and germination period. This tool deliberately does not apply one deadline to every seed.
What does zero germination mean?
None of this sample germinated under these conditions by this time. It does not prove every seed is dead; revisit dormancy and growing conditions.
Will the sowing estimate guarantee seedlings?
No. It uses an observed sample rate and rounds the calculation up. Outdoor conditions, sampling error and losses can change the outcome.
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