heritage seeds
Old-fashioned plant stock
Heritage seeds are seeds from plant varieties that have been passed down through generations, typically for at least fifty years, and reproduce true to type.
They contrast with modern hybrid or genetically modified seeds that don't breed true.
Gardeners prize heritage seeds for preserving genetic diversity, historical flavors, and independence from commercial seed companies: She grows heritage seeds her grandmother brought from Italy.
Also called heirloom seeds.
- seed savingPreserving plant material for replanting
- seed banksStorage for genetic diversity
- seed vaultsSecure botanical specimen storage
- ex-situ conservationProtecting species elsewhere
- seed exchangesTrading plant-starting material
seed swap · landrace · indigenous knowledge · traditional crops · heirloom varieties · genetic traits · kitchen garden · victory garden · ethnobotany · polyculture · regenerative farming · regional cuisine · farm to table · agroecology · native species · seed libraries · plant breeding · organic farming