self-sow

[ self-soh ]

verb (used without object)

, Botany.

, self-sowed, self-sown or self-sowed, self-sow·ing.

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-sow¹

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

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

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times

That leaves plenty of seed that can self-sow, or be eaten by birds, and preserves an overwintering habitat in the leaf litter for arthropods.

From Seattle Times

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

From Seattle Times