Lianas are an important component of tropical forests and may reach their highest densities in disturbed areas. However information on seed and germination characteristics is scarce. Twenty Amazon liana species were screened for their germination characteristics including light dependence tolerance of desiccation and of alternating temperatures; these characteristics are considered important for the germination success in areas with relatively open canopies. Between 31–1420 seeds per species were available as 15 species seeds came from one mother plant. We studied seed biometry and conducted germination trials with fresh seeds (12 h light daily or dark) and desiccated seeds at 25 ° Germination at alternating temperatures (20/30 °\r\nC. C 15/35 ° C) was analyzed for nine\r\nspecies. Of the 20 species eight species with the largest seeds had desiccation sensitive seeds; this is the first record for species of four genera and one family where only desiccation tolerant seeds are otherwise recorded. Light-dependent germination was found in three species (0.01–0.015 g) and is the first record for two; however results were based on seeds from one plant per species. Alternating temperatures of 15/35 ° germination of four out of nine species and response to 20/30 ° to constant 25 °\r\nC decreased final C cycles varied compared C. Seed and germination characteristics of the species ranged from pioneer\r\nto climax traits indicating that establishment of lianas from seeds may be confined to species specific niches.