Herb & Plant Seed Companies

Heirloom and Hybrid Seeds

• Heirloom and hybrid seed varieties warrant space in home gardens. While the heirloom seeds (non-genetically modified, open-pollinated and handed down through the generations) may offer produce with better flavor, color and/or texture, hybrid (crossed) seeds usually produce more uniform fruit and offer high disease resistances. Gardeners can find heirloom and hybrid seeds from companies, such as Burpee, Park Seed and Hart's Seeds.

Organic Seeds

• To be organic, seeds must not be modified genetically and must come from an organic parent plant that was grown in a certified organic farm in organic soil, using only approved fertilizers and pest controls. A rising number of companies specialize only in organic seeds, such as Seeds of Change, High Mowing Organic Seeds and Thyme Garden Herb Company. Other companies, like Botanical Interests, Johnny's Selected Seeds and Territorial Seed, carry a wide selection of organic seeds but do not specialize in organics alone.

Rare, Exotic and Unusual Seeds

• A number of companies specialize in rare and exotic seeds, from the bizarre, carnivorous and spicy to beautiful and hard-to-get from all over the world. Whatcom Seed Company, Seedman.com, Sacred Seed, Exjordanary Seeds and Herbs, and Seeds-plants.net offer a bevy of interesting seeds, mainly online.