Seed Starting Success: Lights, Soil, and Heat Mats

Starting seeds indoors under grow lights is a rewarding way to grow your own flowers. For best results, use a sterile seed-starting mix rather than regular potting soil. Run the lights for 16 hours a day—plug them into a timer for consistency. A soil-warming mat placed under your seed trays dramatically improves germination speed and uniformity by keeping the root zone at the ideal temperature.