How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Burpee and Park Seed suit beginners, with satisfaction guarantees and beginner-friendly catalogs.
- Johnny's Selected Seeds is the best choice for serious growers and small farms, with trial data and bulk sizes.
- Baker Creek and Seed Savers Exchange lead for heirloom and rare varieties with seed-saving missions.
- High Mowing Organic Seeds is the only fully organic option here, with germination and GMO testing.
- Territorial and Eden Brothers round out the list with regional expertise and huge flower and bulb assortments.
Quick comparison
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The best seed companies
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Burpee positions itself as the first name in gardening, offering top-quality non-GMO seeds and plants with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. The catalog covers vegetables, herbs, and flowers for home gardens, plus bulbs and fall garlic, and the Burpee Garden Guide provides how-tos and tips from expert horticulturalists. Support is reachable by phone at 1-800-888-1447. Burpee suits beginners who want a trusted brand and a guarantee behind every packet.
What we like- Top-quality non-GMO seeds and plants with 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
- Vegetables, herbs, and flowers for home gardens
- Expert Garden Guide with how-tos and tips
- Long-established brand with phone support
Watch out for- Homepage shows no packet pricing
- Catalog breadth may overwhelm first-time buyers
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Johnny's Selected Seeds has supported farms and gardens since 1973, and its mission is to help families, friends, and communities feed one another with superior seeds, tools, information, and service. The catalog covers greens, root crops, lettuce, peppers, microgreens, and more, with end-of-season savings and bulk options for growers. The Grower's Library adds vegetable growing resources, instructional videos, planning tools and calculators, hardiness zones, and an ask-a-grower service. Johnny's suits serious gardeners and small farms that want trial-backed varieties and growing data.
What we like- Supporting farms and gardens since 1973
- 100 percent employee owned
- Non-GMO Safe Seed Pledge
- 100 percent satisfaction guarantee
- Same-day US shipping
- Grower's Library with planning tools and calculators
Watch out for- Homepage shows no packet pricing
- Professional focus may exceed casual gardeners
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, known as RareSeeds, has shared the joy of heirloom gardening since 1998, offering over 1,300 rare, non-GMO varieties with free US shipping and a two-year guarantee. The company is known for its big, colorful seed catalogs and its story-driven approach to seed preservation, earning a New York Times description as the Indiana Jones of seeds. Baker Creek suits gardeners hunting unusual tomatoes, peppers, flowers, and grains that supermarkets never carry.
What we like- 1,300 plus rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties
- Free US shipping
- Two-year guarantee
- Famous colorful seed catalogs
- Operating since 1998
Watch out for- Homepage shows no packet pricing
- Heirloom focus means fewer modern hybrids
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Seed Savers Exchange stewards America's culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy for present and future generations, educating and connecting people through collecting, regenerating, and sharing heirloom seeds, plants, and stories. Founded in 1975 and based at Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa, it runs events throughout the year where growers learn from staff and experienced seed savers. Seed Savers suits gardeners who want their purchases to support preservation of endangered varieties.
What we like- Founded in 1975
- Nonprofit mission stewarding America's culturally diverse and endangered garden and food crop legacy
- Heritage Farm in Decorah, Iowa
- Virtual and in-person events with experienced growers
Watch out for- Homepage shows no catalog pricing
- Mission focus may offer fewer mainstream varieties
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Park Seed has grown since 1868, upholding a guarantee of quality non-GMO seeds for over 150 years: if it does not grow, the company wants to know. Seeds are tested and stored in climate-controlled conditions for more seedlings and more to harvest, and ship within 1 to 2 business days. Beyond seeds, Park Seed offers Bio Dome seed starting systems, Sow Effortless seed tapes and mats, Whopper vegetable collections, and the From Seed to Spoon app with personalized planting dates, garden layout tools, and plant and pest identification. Park Seed suits all-round gardeners who want seeds, supplies, and digital help in one place.
What we like- Growing since 1868
- 100 percent guarantee on non-GMO seeds
- Seeds ship within 1 to 2 business days
- Climate-controlled testing and storage
- Bio Dome seed starting systems
- From Seed to Spoon app with planting dates and pest identification
Watch out for- Homepage shows no packet pricing
- App features may exceed gardeners who want seeds only
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Territorial Seed has cultivated gardeners as a family-owned company since 1979, backing all products with a 100 percent guarantee. The catalog covers vegetables, fruits, flowers, garlic, and fall bulbs, with cold-hardy variety markers and season extenders like cloches and row covers for chilly nights. Customers praise multiple packet sizes, including half-pound options for peas and beans that suit larger spaces and repeat sowings. Territorial suits gardeners in cooler climates and anyone who wants bulk sizes beyond standard packets.
What we like- Family owned since 1979
- 100 percent guarantee on all products
- Multiple packet sizes including half-pound options for peas and beans
- Cold-hardy variety guidance
- Free spring catalog mailed in the US
Watch out for- Sale prices shown on the homepage change frequently, so packet costs need a catalog check
- Regional focus may limit warm-climate selection
Starting price$4.15
Free planNo
High Mowing Organic Seeds offers 100 percent certified organic seed, bred to perform best in organic conditions with strong genetics and modern disease resistance. All organic, non-GMO seed is regularly tested for germination rates, disease, and GMO contamination. New 2026 varieties start at 4.15 dollars, including carrot, chard, and zinnia blends, while some specialty tomatoes reach 22.55 dollars. Orders over 200 dollars ship free within the contiguous United States. High Mowing suits organic growers who want certified seed tested for organic performance.
What we like- 100 percent certified organic seed, bred for organic conditions
- All seed tested for germination, disease, and GMO contamination
- New varieties from 4.15 dollars
- Free shipping on orders over 200 dollars
- Free 2027 catalog
Watch out for- Organic premium on some varieties, with tomatoes up to 22.55 dollars
- Free shipping threshold of 200 dollars is high
Starting priceSee website
Free planNo
Eden Brothers offers one of the largest seed and flower bulb assortments in the US, including flower bulbs for spring and fall planting, flower seeds, vegetable seeds, and herb seeds, with hundreds of heirloom and certified organic options plus rare and hard-to-find varieties. Seeds are handpacked in Asheville, North Carolina, backed by a grow guarantee, and the company reports trust from over 4 million gardeners. Flower seeds alone span 650 plus blooms, from favorites to hard-to-find varieties, alongside exclusive wildflower mixes. Eden Brothers suits flower gardeners and anyone building a cutting garden or wildflower meadow.
What we like- Trusted by 4 million plus gardeners
- Seeds handpacked in Asheville, North Carolina
- Grow guarantee
- High germination and non-GMO
- 650 plus flower blooms plus wildflower mixes, bulbs, vegetables, and herbs
- 20 percent off first order over 25 dollars with signup
Watch out for- Homepage shows no seed packet pricing
- Bulb pricing varies widely by quantity
How we chose
We opened each vendor homepage and compared variety depth, guarantees, organic and heirloom focus, shipping terms, and pricing transparency. One candidate, Southern Exposure Seed Exchange, was excluded because its homepage failed to load and was not retried. Prices not shown on homepages are recorded as "See website" rather than invented.
How to pick the right seed company
Start with the garden, not the catalog. Beginners do best with a guarantee-backed generalist like Burpee or Park Seed, while growers chasing flavor and rarity should head to Baker Creek or Seed Savers Exchange. Organic growers should default to High Mowing, and cool-climate gardeners should check Territorial's cold-hardy markers before ordering.
Then check the details that decide success. Match varieties to the hardiness zone and season length, since a variety bred for long southern seasons may never ripen in a short northern summer. Buy fresh seed each year for weak germinators like parsnips and onions, and store leftover seed cool and dry. Finally, order early: popular varieties sell out by late winter, and fall bulbs and garlic ship on seasonal schedules that reward planning ahead.
Seed starting indoors extends the season for heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, which need weeks of warm growth before transplanting after frost. Use a sterile starting mix, bottom-water to avoid damping off, and give seedlings strong light, since leggy seedlings grown on a dim windowsill rarely recover fully outdoors. Harden plants off over a week by increasing outdoor exposure gradually before transplanting, and watch the forecast for late frosts that can wipe out a tender crop overnight.
Saving seed suits gardeners who grow open-pollinated and heirloom varieties from Baker Creek or Seed Savers Exchange. Let one or two plants go fully to seed, dry the seed thoroughly, label it with variety and year, and store it in a cool, dry, dark place. Skip saving from hybrids, since offspring may differ from the parent, and isolate varieties that cross-pollinate, like squash and corn, unless crossing is acceptable. Soil preparation matters as much as variety choice: most vegetables need full sun and well-drained soil enriched with compost, and a simple soil test reveals pH and nutrient gaps before planting rather than after a disappointing harvest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best seed company for beginners?
Burpee and Park Seed lead for beginners, with satisfaction guarantees, beginner-friendly catalogs, and growing guides. Park Seed adds an app with planting dates and pest identification.
Which seed company has the most heirloom varieties?
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds leads with 1,300 plus rare, heirloom, and open-pollinated varieties, followed by Seed Savers Exchange with its preservation mission.
Are all these seed companies non-GMO?
Yes. Every company here states non-GMO seed, and High Mowing goes further with certified organic seed tested for GMO contamination.
When should I order seeds?
Order in late winter for spring planting, since popular varieties sell out early. Fall bulbs and garlic ship on seasonal schedules, so order those in late summer and fall.
Do seed companies guarantee germination?
Burpee, Johnny's, Park Seed, and Territorial all offer satisfaction or 100 percent guarantees, and Baker Creek offers a two-year guarantee. Check each company's terms before ordering.
What is the difference between heirloom and hybrid seeds?
Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated varieties passed down for generations, so saved seed grows true to type. Hybrids are crosses bred for specific traits like disease resistance, but saved seed may not match the parent.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.burpee.com/
- https://www.johnnyseeds.com/
- https://www.rareseeds.com/
- https://seedsavers.org/
- https://parkseed.com/
- https://territorialseed.com/
- https://www.highmowingseeds.com/
- https://www.edenbrothers.com/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
Burpee
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Seed Savers Exchange
Park Seed
Territorial Seed
High Mowing Organic Seeds
Eden Brothers