Germination rates are usually higher for fresh palm seeds. If the interior of a palm seed from a particular batch is rotten or has an unpleasant smell, the seed is unlikely to germinate. Some times the seeds may be infected with insects, so it is advisable to soak the seed in an insecticide solution for some time, which varies between 20 to 40 minutes depending the species.
After the seeds have been removed from the insecticide, they should be soaked in clean water. After twenty four hours, the seeds which are likely to germinate will sink to the bottom. Seeds which are infected should be discarded as the insects may damage the rest of the nursery but if the palm seeds are very rare and difficult to procure, they can be planted.
The planting medium for the seeds can be a mixture of peat moss and vermiculite. Coconut coir may also be added. The medium should be porous and drain very quickly. Palm seeds are remote germinators and push a shoot downwards for about 20 cm before the first leaf appears.