Heart shaped seed bombs are a lovely Valentine’s Day gift to give to your friends, family and the planet. They’re 100% earth-friendly and very simple to make. My children and I have been making heart shaped seed bombs for many years. A few years ago I shared a similar post but I’ve discovered that rolling out the clay and using heart shaped cookie cutters makes this project even easier. However, if you prefer the look freeform heart shapes check out this post or check my printable Valentine flower seed packets for kids.

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What is a seed bomb?

A seed bomb is a seed capsule comprised of clay, soil and seeds mixed together and dried. When the seed bomb is dispersed into nature, water will break down the capsule and the seeds with germinate and grow. Seed bombs are often used in “guerilla gardening” where people throw seed bombs onto vacant lots or properties. Just be aware that it can be illegal to disperse seed bombs in some places. Typically we use our seed bombs in our own yard, garden or grow them indoors in a pot.

Materials

• Air Dry Clay (white)
• Potting soil
• Wildflower seeds (West Coast Seeds is my favourite seed supplier)
• Large mixing bowl
• Rolling pin
• Heart cookie cutter (2″-3″/5-8 cm in size works best)
• Twine, cotton string or wool yarn

How much clay, soil and seeds do I need?

There are many ratios that will work well. A ratio of 4:1 (clay : soil) seems to be a common recommendation. The ratio I used for this project was:

• 10 oz (280 g) air dry clay (one quarter of a 2.5 lb/1.13 kg tub of air-dry clay)
• 1/2 cup potting soil
• 1 tsp. wildflower seeds

Note: A 2.5 lb (1.13 kg) tub of white air-dry clay , 2 cups or soil and 4 tsp of seeds will yield approximately 40 tree seed ornaments that are 3 inches tall and 1/4 inch thick.

What kind of seeds should I use?

Choose wildflower seeds that are native to your area and will benefit bees, butterflies and birds. I recommend choosing annual seeds as they will only grow for one season.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix the clay, potting soil and seeds together by kneading the mixture together with your hands. This is a great task for kids to help with. If your mixture seems too dry add a sprinkle of water, if you mixture seems too wet add a bit more soil.
2. Place your big ball of mixed clay on a counter or cutting board and roll into to 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) thick using a rolling pin. To prevent sticking try rolling the clay onto parchment paper, a silicone mat or sprinkle some soil under the clay.
3. Use a heart shaped cookie cutter and cut shapes out of the clay.
4. Carefully lift the heart cutouts and reshaped them with your fingers as needed.
5. Use a chopstick or pencil to make a hole in the heart so that you can attach a tag to it with a string. This step is optional. If you don’t want to attach a tag to your seed bomb no need to make a hole.
6. Place the heart cutouts on a cooling rack and let them air dry until firm. Drying time is about 2 to 3 days.
7. When fully dry, put twine or cotton string through the hole of the heart seed bomb and add a tag (printable below).

I’m Wild (flower) About You! Free Printable Tags

Print off these Valentine Wildflower Seed Tags and add them to your hearts or to a packet of wildflower seeds.