Do Seeds Germinate Faster In Light Or Dark?

And because nurseries typically offer a limited selection of starts, you'll usually have access to a much wider variety of plants as seeds. Turns out, whether a seed germinates faster in light or darkness depends on the species. So, how do you determine whether your seeds need more light or are happier in the dark? Usually, many small seeds require light to germinate. Similarly, if you're advised to sow seeds shallowly or to broadcast them lightly over the soil, they'll perform better in light than an inky environment.