How to Propagate a Sea Grape Plant

Native to South Florida and the West Indies, the sea grape plant grows along sandy shores and dunes producing 8- to 10-inch leaves and globe-shaped fruits that provide habitat and nourishment to the local wildlife. The sea grape plant also produces tiny white flowers that bloom in both the spring and the summer, making it an attractive landscaping plant for gardeners living in USDA hardiness zones 10a and 11. If you are interested in adding sea grape to your backyard landscape, consider propagating tropical perennial through seed germination and root cuttings.

Sea grape seeds

Water

4-inch pots

Sterile potting soil

Spray bottle

Perlite

Sea grape stem

Plant heating pad

Grow light

Gather seeds from the ripe fruit of the sea grape plant. Remove the edible pulp from the seeds. Rinse the seeds with lukewarm water.

Fill 4-inch pots 3/4 full with sterile potting soil. Press two to three seeds into the soil of each pot at 1/4-inch depth. Pat the soil over top of the seeds to release air pockets.

Mist the soil in the pots with a spray bottle filled with water. Keep the soil moist throughout the germination process, which should take approximately three weeks.

Place the pots in an area that receives bright, indirect light. Maintain a temperature of 75 degrees F or above during germination.

Maintain moist soil and bright, indirect light conditions after the sea grape seeds sprout, and throughout the growing process.

Mix a 50-50 ratio of sterile potting soil and perlite in a clean container. Fill a 4-inch pot 3/4 of the way full with the potting mix.

Choose a healthy stem from a mature sea grape plant. Cut a 3- to 4-inch piece from the tip of the stem.

Remove all of the leaves from the stem, except for the two leaves at the very tip. Stick the cutting down halfway into the potting soil, leaf side up. Place the pot in a window that receives bright, indirect light.

Keep the soil in the pot damp at all times while the cutting grows its roots. Root growth should begin to occur in approximately 30 days. New growth will appear shortly after.

Setting the pots on a plant heating pad will help to keep the seeds at the appropriate temperature if you are unable to maintain an environment of 75 degrees F or above during germination. Set up a grow light, which will mimic the sun, if you are unable to provide the cutting or sea grape seedlings with bright, indirect light.

Do not allow the soil to dry out during seed propagation or during the rooting process. Allowing the soil to dry out will prevent seed germination and also dramatically slow down root growth.