Paulownia tomentosa – Empress Tree Seeds
Known for its stunning, foxglove-like purple flowers and rapid growth, the Paulownia tomentosa or Empress Tree is a striking ornamental tree perfect for spacious gardens. It thrives in well-draining soil and requires some care in its early stages but rewards with fast growth and beautiful flowering within two years under the right conditions.
How to Grow Paulownia tomentosa (Empress Tree)
Step 1: Prepare the Sowing Medium
Use a seed tray or small pots filled with moist peat moss or a well-draining seed raising mix. A slightly acidic pH of around 6.0 is ideal. As Paulownia seeds require light to germinate, surface sow them directly onto the soil without covering. Space seeds out evenly and gently mist the surface to moisten.
Step 2: Maintain Humidity and Light
Cover the tray or pots with clear plastic, kitchen wrap, or glass to maintain humidity. Place in a warm, well-lit area out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating. Approximately 150 hours of light are required for germination, so supplement with artificial lighting if growing during darker months. The ideal temperature range for germination is between 18°C and 24°C.
Step 3: Germination and Care
Within a few days, you’ll notice condensation on the cover—this is a good sign of high humidity. Germination should occur in 2–4 weeks under ideal conditions. Use a mist spray to keep the soil moist but not wet, as drying out can kill young seedlings. Be gentle when watering, as seedlings are delicate at this stage.
Step 4: Hardening and Transplanting Seedlings
Once seedlings begin to emerge, start gradually removing the plastic or cover to acclimate them to open air. Open a small section first, expanding it every few days until the cover is removed. When seedlings reach 2–5 cm in height and are not overcrowded, they can be transplanted carefully. They grow rapidly in good conditions but should remain in pots and be protected from wind and cold through their first two winters.
Step 5: Final Transplanting
Transplant to their final outdoor position in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Trees can be moved to the ground in their second or third year, depending on growth and climate. While juvenile trees are frost-sensitive, mature trees tolerate cold well and need little watering once established. Paulownia prefers poor, well-drained soils and will improve soil quality over time. Avoid planting in heavy clay or saline soils. Additional watering during flowering will support better blooms. Empress Trees generally begin flowering after two years.
