Published on February 17, 2023

Pro Tips

9 Common Problems with Seedlings and How to Solve Them

Planting seedlings is a relaxing and rewarding activity. However, there are several common problems that can jeopardize the start of your garden. Find out how to avoid or remedy them for a healthy vegetable garden!

Start Your Garden Off Right

When started and maintained under reasonable conditions, seedlings usually do very well. Check out our guides on the subject to get your seedlings off to a great start:

Then, take a look at the tips below to find out how to fix the most common seedling problems.

SHOP SEEDLING PRODUCTS

1
Little or No Germination

You have sown several seeds, but only a few of them have produced a shoot.

Cause(s): Non-viable, old, or poor-quality seeds; inadequate growing conditions; soil is too dry.
Solution(s): Buy fresh seeds; keep soil moist at all times during the germination process (covering the tray helps a lot); improve growing conditions.

2
Wilted Seedlings

Your seedlings look wilted and the soil is dry.

Cause(s): Insufficient water.
Solution(s): Water gently but thoroughly; keep soil moist; reseed if necessary.

Seedling pinched at the stem and drooping

3
Drooping Seedlings, Pinched at the Stem

Everything was going well, until suddenly your seedling’s stem shrank and blackened or browned near the base, and the seedling is leaning to one side.

Cause(s): Damping off (fungal disease)
Solution(s): Discard seedlings and clean container thoroughly; reseed in new seed starting soil (do not use garden soil or soil that has already been used for seedlings); add perlite or vermiculite to aerate the soil.

4
Leggy Seedlings (long and pale, with small leaves)

The stem is very long and frail, too weak to support the weight of the seedling and the small leaves. Seedlings are leaning towards the light source.

Cause(s): Insufficient light
Solution(s): Place seedlings closer to a light source (window or artificial light).

Pro Tip

Growing seedlings on a windowsill rarely provides optimal conditions. In addition to subjecting fragile plants to drafts that could harm their development, windows do not offer a sufficient amount of light. In fact, even a south-facing window will provide a maximum of only 5-6 hours of sunlight per day. For other orientations, sunlight is reduced even further. To avoid these issues, we recommend opting for grow lights or full-spectrum LED grow light bulbs.

5
Presence of Small Black Flies

There are flies resembling small fruit flies around your seedlings. Although they do not cause damage to plants, they can carry disease.

Cause(s): Sciaridae (fungus gnats)
Solution(s): Let the soil dry a little more between waterings to eliminate the larvae; if this is not enough, change the soil on the surface (this is where the larvae are found).

Seedling with its leaves trapped in the seed

6
Leaves Trapped by the Seed Coat

The outer seed coat remains on top of or around the new leaves, trapping the tips of the leaves.

Cause(s): Seeds planted too close to the surface; soil is too dry.
Solution(s): Push the next seeds in deeper (see package for recommended depth); spray a little water on the seed coat, then gently remove it with your fingers; make sure the soil remains moist at all times during germination.

7
Stained Leaves

Growth is adequate, but the leaves are stained, indicating deficiencies.

Cause(s): Lack of nutrients; inadequate watering
Solution(s): Start adding fertilizer when the seedlings have 4-6 true leaves.

8
Mould on the Soil

The white mould found on the surface of the soil is not harmful to plants, humans, or animals. However, it is a sign of inadequate growing conditions.

Cause(s): Inadequate watering; excessive humidity; seedlings planted too close together; poor air circulation.
Solution(s): Allow the seedling soil to dry out a little more between waterings; uncover the tray as soon as the sprouts are out of the ground; scrape off and remove the top layer of soil, then replace it with new soil; consider adding perlite or vermiculite to the potting soil for future plantings.

Woman inserting a heating pad underneath a seedling tray

9
Slow Growth

Some plants grow more slowly than others. Follow our sowing calendar to know what to plant when. If you notice abnormally slow growth, the growing conditions probably need to be reconsidered.

Cause(s): Inadequate growing conditions (temperature too cold, insufficient light, lack of nutrients, inadequate watering, heat stress, etc.)
Solution(s): Reconsider growing conditions; use a heating pad.

9 Common Problems with Seedlings and How to Solve Them

Start Your Garden Off Right

1
Little or No Germination

2
Wilted Seedlings

3
Drooping Seedlings, Pinched at the Stem

4
Leggy Seedlings (long and pale, with small leaves)

Pro Tip

5
Presence of Small Black Flies

6
Leaves Trapped by the Seed Coat

7
Stained Leaves

8
Mould on the Soil

9
Slow Growth

Suggested Products

Invite nature

Show off your green thumb

9 Common Problems with Seedlings and How to Solve Them

Start Your Garden Off Right

1Little or No Germination

2Wilted Seedlings

3Drooping Seedlings, Pinched at the Stem

4Leggy Seedlings (long and pale, with small leaves)

Pro Tip

5Presence of Small Black Flies

6Leaves Trapped by the Seed Coat

7Stained Leaves

8Mould on the Soil

9Slow Growth

Suggested Products

You may also like

Guide to Growing a Vegetable Garden

How to Grow Your Own Seedlings in a Few Simple Steps

Vegetable and Fresh Herb Sowing Calendar

Invite nature

Show off your green thumb

1
Little or No Germination

2
Wilted Seedlings

3
Drooping Seedlings, Pinched at the Stem

4
Leggy Seedlings (long and pale, with small leaves)

5
Presence of Small Black Flies

6
Leaves Trapped by the Seed Coat

7
Stained Leaves

8
Mould on the Soil

9
Slow Growth