Why some seeds wait to grow
Learn why some seeds wait to grow in this B1 English reading, with six vocabulary words and five comprehension questions with answers.
A packet of seeds may look ready for planting, but not every seed is ready to grow. Some seeds are dormant: they are still alive, yet they do not germinate, or begin growing, even when conditions seem suitable.
This delay can help plants survive. If every seed started growing together, a flood or a long dry period could kill all the young plants. Seeds that have not started growing may have another chance later. However, this natural protection can make life difficult for people who want a field of wildflowers to grow together.
Different species need different signals before growth can begin. For some seeds, a period of cold, moist conditions helps end dormancy. This is similar to spending a winter in the ground. There is no single treatment that suits every kind of seed.
Cornell AgriTech reported a study of wildflower seeds in February 2026. Researchers examined 28 species and studied six in more detail. They found differences in how seeds responded to soil moisture, the water present in the soil. Three milkweed species grew from seed across a broad moisture range, while purple coneflower needed wetter conditions.
These differences matter when people restore areas of wildflowers for insects. Buying seeds is only the beginning. Understanding dormancy and the needs of each species can help people choose suitable growing conditions.
Words to take with you
- dormant
- Alive but not actively growing at this time.Some seeds remain dormant through the winter.
- germinate
- To begin growing from a seed.We watched the first seeds germinate in the tray.
- survive
- To stay alive through difficult conditions.The young tree did not survive the long dry summer.
- species
- A group of plants or animals of the same kind.We found three species of grass beside the path.
- moisture
- Water present in something, such as soil or air.The cloth keeps moisture in the soil.
- restore
- To bring something back to a good or earlier condition.Volunteers hope to restore the damaged garden.
Check your understanding
Choose an answer, then check each question.
Use your English
A friend says every seed should start growing as soon as it gets water. Write three sentences to explain why this is not always true. Use dormant, species and moisture.
Say your answer aloud or write two or three sentences.