Storing seed and how long it stays viable
Seed is alive, even though it looks dormant. Inside every seed is an embryo with a store of nutrients. How you store it directly affects how much of it comes up later. Well-stored seed lasts years, so leftover packets are not waste.
How long seed stays viable
Stored somewhere cool, dark and dry:
Shelf life | Types |
|---|---|
1 to 2 years | onion, parsley, parsnip, sweet corn, spinach |
3 to 4 years | beans, carrots, peas, peppers |
5 years or more | tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, brassicas, lettuce |
Flowers | many annuals such as marigold and zinnia 3 to 5 years; perennials vary |
Herbs | basil and chives around 3 years; mint often longer |
What shortens it: moisture (triggers premature germination or mould), heat (speeds up deterioration), light (degrades quality) and pests.
Preparing seed for storage
Bought packets are best kept in their original packet, which carries the variety, the sowing instructions and the packing date. If the packet is torn, put it in a small envelope and that inside an airtight container.
Seed you saved yourself needs cleaning first: remove debris, chaff or pulp. Rinse wet seed such as tomato and cucumber. Then dry it completely — in a single layer on kitchen paper or a mesh screen, somewhere cool and dry, for one to two weeks. A fully dry seed snaps cleanly instead of bending.
Always label with the name and variety, the date, and any note such as organic.
What to store it in
- Airtight glass jars — keep out moisture and pests
- Plastic containers with snap lids — light and stackable
- Paper envelopes inside a larger sealed container — airflow around each type, low humidity overall
- Vacuum-sealed bags for larger quantities
Add a silica gel packet, or a spoonful of uncooked rice in a cloth bag, to absorb moisture. Replace it yearly.
Where to store it
Follow the rule: cool, dark, dry.
Suitable: a pantry, drawer or cupboard in a temperature-controlled room; a basement if it is dry; the refrigerator for long-term storage, provided the seed is airtight against condensation. In a fridge, keep it towards the back where the temperature is most stable — not in the door.
Not suitable: near an oven or heating vent, on a sunny windowsill, or in a damp basement or garage.
If you buy in bulk, split it into smaller airtight containers so you only open one per season. Below 10 °C is ideal.
Testing old seed
- Dampen a sheet of kitchen paper — damp, not dripping.
- Lay 10 seeds evenly on it.
- Fold it over, put it in a plastic bag and keep it somewhere warm, around 18 to 24 °C.
- Check daily and count how many sprout within the germination time on the packet.
Out of 10 | What it means |
|---|---|
8 to 10 | strong seed, sow as normal |
5 to 7 | still usable, sow more thickly |
Fewer than 5 | replace it |
Frequently asked questions
Can seed go in the freezer? It can extend the life of some types, but only if the seed is bone dry. Any residual moisture damages the embryo.
Can seed go in the fridge? Yes, in an airtight container with a moisture absorber. Not in the door, where the temperature fluctuates.
Does organic seed last longer? Organic seed is untreated and often stores well, but it must be kept very dry to prevent mould.
The full version of this guide is on seedschoice.com.
Ready to sow? What you can sow now
- Vegetables you can sow this month
- Flowers you can sow this month
- Herbs you can sow this month
- Vegetables to sow directly outdoors
- Fast-growing vegetables — quick results, ideal for beginners
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Updated on: 05/10/2026
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