Everything has it’s own time, even seeds. They just don’t last forever! Fortunately though many seeds do last a long period of time and you can use seed from previous years to grow your garden. I’ve had tomato seeds germinate that were over 10 years old. Best of all they produced healthy tasty tomatoes! I’ve had echinacea seed as well that lasted over 10 years and still produced some beautiful flowers. The key to long term seed viability is in their storage.
Storing Seeds for Long Term Seed Viability
The location where you store your seeds is the most essential factor in keeping your seeds viable for many years. Seeds in general will want a cool, dark, and dry location. Most vegetable plants will be perfectly fine for long periods of time if stored properly.
Cold Stratification
Some seeds need cold stratification that can be accomplished by storage in a refrigerator. This isn’t a requirement of all seeds but may help lengthen the period of viability the seeds have. Cold starification mimics the freezing and thawing temperatures seeds would experience in nature.
Moist Stratification
There are some species like pawpaws or ginkgo trees that need moist stratification. That can be accomplished by putting them in a plastic bag with sphagnum peat moss that is just a little moist. Then the seeds can be stored through the winter. By Spring the seeds should be ready to plant outdoors in pots.
How Long Do Seeds Stay Viable?
Below is a chart of seed viability by some of the more common vegetable and herb seeds so you can see approximately how long they last. Please note that these are just general guidelines and the actual period of viability will be determined by the type of seed, variety, and storage methods. As you can see most seeds can be stored for several years without many issues. As seeds get older the viability decreases and fewer seeds in the packet will germinate. You will still be able to see some germination for a long time.
On shorter viability seeds like members of the Allium family I recommend planting out the whole packet of seeds. Use what you need from the plants then let the rest go to seed and you can collect seeds for future years.
Vegetable Seed Viability
| Vegetable | Viability (Years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beans (Phaseolus spp.) | 3–5 | Store dry for best longevity. |
| Beet (Beta vulgaris) | 3–5 | High humidity shortens lifespan. |
| Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) | 3–5 | Store in cool, dark places. |
| Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) | 4–5 | Similar to broccoli in storage needs. |
| Carrot (Daucus carota) | 3–4 | Can deteriorate quickly in warm conditions. |
| Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) | 3–5 | Keep sealed to maintain longevity. |
| Corn (Zea mays) | 1–2 | Best used fresh each year. |
| Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) | 5–6 | Excellent longevity under ideal storage. |
| Eggplant (Solanum melongena) | 4–5 | Seeds last well under dry storage. |
| Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) | 5 | Stores well with proper care. |
| Onion (Allium cepa) | 1–2 | Very short-lived; use promptly. |
| Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) | 1 | Should be planted within one year. |
| Peas (Pisum sativum) | 3–4 | Regular testing recommended after 3 years. |
| Pepper (Capsicum spp.) | 2–4 | Requires dry, cool storage to last 4 years. |
| Radish (Raphanus sativus) | 5 | One of the longer-lasting seeds. |
| Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) | 3–4 | Declines after 4 years. |
| Squash (Cucurbita spp.) | 4–6 | Seeds last longer than average. |
| Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) | 4–6 | Long-lasting with proper storage. |
| Turnip (Brassica rapa) | 4–5 | Similar to radish. |
| Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) | 4–5 | Longevity depends on storage conditions. |
| Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) | 4–6 | Lasts longer than many other vegetables. |
| Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) | 3–5 | Similar to beet in storage needs. |
| Celery (Apium graveolens) | 5 | Keep in cool, dry conditions for best results. |
| Kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) | 4–5 | Strong viability under good storage conditions. |
| Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) | 2–3 | Shorter viability, test older seeds. |
Herb Seed Viability
| Herb | Seed Viability (Years) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basil (Ocimum basilicum) | 3–5 | Seeds germinate reliably if stored dry. |
| Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) | 2–3 | Regular viability testing recommended. |
| Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) | 1–2 | Short lifespan, use promptly. |
| Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) | 2–3 | Test older seeds after 2 years. |
| Dill (Anethum graveolens) | 3–5 | Long viability with proper storage. |
| Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) | 3–4 | High humidity reduces seed life. |
| Lavender (Lavandula spp.) | 2–3 | Keep dry to maximize viability. |
| Mint (Mentha spp.) | 1–3 | Requires ideal storage conditions for longer viability. |
| Oregano (Origanum vulgare) | 3–5 | Lasts well when stored cool and dry. |
| Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) | 1–2 | Short-lived, use seeds quickly. |
| Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) | 3–4 | Regular viability testing after 3 years. |
| Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) | 3–4 | Proper storage can extend seed life. |
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