self-sow

American  

[self-soh] / sɛlfˈsoʊ /

Also self-seed

verb (used without object)

Botany.

self-sowed, self-sown, self-sowed, self-sowing

1. to sow or propagate itself naturally from seeds that have been dropped.

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Etymology

Origin of self-sow

First recorded in 1835–40; self- ( def. ) + sow ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

You can help your gardens along by selecting plants that re-seed themselves — flowers such as columbine, coreopsis, and lupine will self-sow and spread throughout your gardens each year.

From Salon • Aug. 28, 2022

Otherwise, pebbles near the edges would naturally spread out, and the thinner layer of gravel would invite weeds to self-sow.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 21, 2022

Start with seed You can learn a lot by observing plants that self-sow in the garden.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 12, 2022

Even though the seed is minute, flowering tobacco is easy to grow, and plants often will self-sow in the garden.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2021

Many with us self-sow and live through the winter without any protection.

From Trees, Fruits and Flowers of Minnesota, 1916 Embracing the Transactions of the Minnesota State Horticultural Society,Volume 44, from December 1, 1915, to December 1, 1916, Including the Twelve Numbers of "The Minnesota Horticulturist" for 1916 by Latham, A. W.