Seed-based restoration is the most efficient and cost effective method for restoration across large spatial scales but is often unsuccessful due to differences in species-specific requirements for germination and establishment. Application of smoke to enhance germination has been demonstrated across numerous plant lineages and ecosystems, although the majority of studies focus on Mediterranean vegetation types. In some cases, smoke exposure may also inhibit germination. Here, we experimentally test 203 species widely available on the North American seed market to evaluate their reponse to smoke application, measured as germination rate and germination fraction. We also evaluate the predicitive power of several plant traits in relation to smoke-induced germination, including life history, functional group, wetland status, native status, ecosystem type, seed size, and taxonomic class. Of the germinating species, 31% exhibited a significant response, with 20.4% stimulated by smoke and 10.9% inhibited by smoke. These responses were highly species specific, with hypothesized influential traits having little predictive power for smoke-induced germination. Our study represents a large sample of commonly used restoration species across North America and will inform strategies for seed mix treatments and future studies of this fire cue.