Yes if seeds are produced and left to mature and ripen they are viable. This does not mean you will get a plant that is exactly like the parent plant, especially if it's a hybridized plant.

You'd be wise to look up the germination time, temperature required for germination and any other things particular to that plant. Some seeds require freezing to germinate --others won't germinate if frozen

No, not necessarily. Some plants produce sterile seed.

What are you trying to grow?

My thanks for your replies.

In reply to sarahbarah27, my question evolved from seed's I've saved from some native plants, Liatris (meadow blazing star). The seeds look good but I've not gotten one of them to germinate. I've put them through a 2 month cold treatment in the fridge before placing them in the warmth and still not one to germinate. This is what prompted my question.

I've got some more in the fridge where I will leave them for three months, then try again. I'm also going to winter sow the remaining seeds to see if that will help. It may just be that I'm not handling them properly.

My thanks again for taking the time to read and reply to my question.

Mary

Mary, liatris typically produces many empty seeds (no embryo) in a seed head but a percentage should be viable and germinate...sow heavy. Reducing the temp by several degrees at night can be beneficial - and it's not unusual for them to take 30 days or more, can be slow even when pre-chilled.

morz8, my thanks for the heads up on this seed. It might be that I've been sowing too few seed each time. I do hope that's the case. As you suggest, I'm going to heavily sow the remaining seed all at once.

Mary

Sowing your seeds in fall or winter and leaving them exposed to the weather may also produce more seedlings, especially since they are native plants.

Sue