How To Grow A Teak Tree From Seed

Teak (​Tectona grandis​) is a close-grained hardwood that's native to parts of South Asia and Southeast Asia, such as India and Thailand. It can be grown in parts of the United States, particularly in warmer Southern areas, such as parts of Florida. You can grow a teak tree from seed, so it's relatively straightforward to get started, as you don't need to do any complicated grafting from an existing tree as you do with some trees.

Teak trees can be grown in USDA plant hardiness zone 10b at low altitudes and with an annual temperature range between 57 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit, although they can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 degrees. The most suitable soil for teak trees is deep, well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 8 and a relatively high calcium and phosphorous content.

1. Soak the Seeds

Teak seeds have a thick pericarp, or coating, that can stop them from germinating easily. Soak the seeds in water to break dormancy: Fill a tub or bucket with cold tap water and soak the seeds for 12 hours. Soak more seeds than you think you'll want to plant because some may end up being unsuitable.

After soaking, remove the seeds from the water and lay them out to dry directly in the sun. Place them on an old sack or towel. Repeat two or three times.

2. Plant Seeds in Germination Pots

Add some coarse peat to a biodegradable pot or another type of germination pot and cover this with a layer of sand. Sand is preferred because it drains water well. Water this evenly before planting. Plant one seed in each germination pot with the micropyle (the small opening in the seed) pointing down. Plant them at around the same depth as the seed's diameter. Cover them with another layer of sand, around 1/3 to 2/3 of an inch.

3. Cover the Seeds With Straw and Water Them

Cover the seeds with a thin layer of straw. This will prevent them from moving around while you're watering them. Water the seeds and repeat as needed to keep the soil moist.

4. Wait for Germination

Teak seeds may start to germinate in as little as five to seven days. However, they're notoriously nonuniform when it comes to the germination time. If it has been two weeks, three weeks, or longer and the seeds still don't appear to be germinating, be patient. While some seeds may be unviable, others may take up to three months to germinate.

5. Transplant the Seedlings

Transplant the seedlings three to five days after they have germinated or when you see a pair of leaves. Prepare a nursery medium of 2 parts topsoil to 1 part compost. Mix these together in a tub or bucket with some fungicide (follow the quantity and directions listed on the packaging) to make a uniform consistency. Place this mix inside a plastic grow bag. Gently transplant the seedlings (in their biodegradable pots if you used them) into this mix, keeping the area around the roots moist and intact. Water the planting medium and seedlings evenly.

6. Plant Outdoors

The seedlings will be ready to plant outdoors when they're about 12 to 16 inches tall. Choose a site with bright, filtered light to full-sun exposure for planting the teak, keeping in mind the ideal soil conditions. Weed the area and remove stones. If it's dry or in less than optimal condition, work some compost into the soil a couple of weeks before you plan to plant your seedlings.

If you have multiple seedlings, plant them about 8 to 10 feet apart. Dig a hole for each seedling that's as deep as the height of the root ball and at least 3 to 4 times its diameter. Carefully remove the tree from its grow bag and place the seedling in the hole. If necessary, add soil to the bottom of the hole so the top of the root ball (the root collar) will be just below the soil line. Backfill the hole with the displaced soil, tamping it down with your hands, and water deeply.