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How Long Do Seeds Last? Seed Viability

A variety of seed packets
Photo Credit
eurobanks/Shutterstock

How to Know If Those Seeds Are Still Good

Written By: Robin Sweetser Gardener

How long do garden seeds last? How do you tell if your old seeds are still good? Let’s find out!

Wintertime is the season when these questions matter. The gorgeous seed catalogs arrive in the mail, tempting you with beautiful photographs.

But before you go crazy, it’s time to inventory your leftover seeds to avoid duplication and determine viability.

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seed packets on the table

How Long Do Vegetable Seeds Last?

Seeds are living things, and their viability is greatly affected by how they are stored. Most experts agree that dark, cool, and dry conditions are best for seeds. We keep some of our seeds in the refrigerator, but most are in open boxes in the dining room—probably not the best location!

Some seeds also have a longer life expectancy than others. Most last for a couple of years if stored in a dry, cool place. Consult the table below to see how long some of the most common garden seeds last.

Seed Viability Chart
Replace after…Type of Seed
1 YearLettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, salsify
2 YearsCorn, leeks, okra, peppers
3 YearsAsparagus, beans, broccoli, carrots, celery, kohlrabi, peas, spinach
4 YearsBeets, brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, Swiss chard, eggplants, kale, pumpkins, radishes, rutabagas, squashes, tomatoes, turnips, watermelons
5 YearsCucumbers, endive, cantaloupes
Seed viability data gathered via Colorado State University Extension.

How to Tell If Your Seeds Are Still Good

If I have a question about the viability of some seeds—such as those beans that someone gave me back in 2020—I will test a few.

This is as easy as placing ten seeds on a damp paper towel, folding it up, and placing it in a plastic bag. Put the bag in a warm spot and check after a week or so to see if any of the seeds have sprouted.

watercress beginning to germinate

  • If 2 out of 10 germinate, that means a germination rate of about 20%—not too good, so I would either plant more of them than usual or buy fresh seeds altogether.
  • If 8 out of 10 germinate, that means 80%—not bad at all, and I can likely get away with using them for another season.

Once you have determined what you need, you can shop with a clear plan in mind and be less likely to overbuy.

Have fun looking through this year’s seed catalogs and dreaming of your best garden ever. Summer is just a page away in a seed catalog!

Speaking of which, check out our list of free garden catalogs and sites.

Sowing and Seeds
About The Author
Robin Sweetser

Robin Sweetser

Gardener

Robin Sweetser is a longtime gardening writer, editor, and speaker. She and her partner, Tom, have a small greenhouse business, selling plants and cutting flowers and vegetables from their home and lo...
Read More from Robin Sweetser

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Comments

<span>P. Dyer</span> Mon, 12/26/2022 - 09:30
I found some Phlox seeds in their original seed packets in my basement that were over 10-20 years old. Instead of throwing them away, I threw them into my side yard and I now have a beautiful side yard every season that is full of white and pink (in different hues) phlox. When in bloom their stalks are 3-6' tall. So glad I didn't toss them out !
<span>Aunt Jam</span> Sat, 03/07/2020 - 17:37
I just tested two 9 year old heritage varieties of corn seed. Both had 90% germination but I did use a heat mat.
<span>Kerry Aggen</span> Fri, 03/06/2020 - 10:14
Sowing seed indoors on heat mats tends to increase propagation rates. Just be sure to keep the temperature moderate (roughly between 65 and 70 oF) and not too high (higher than about 70), to avoid overheating the tender shoots. Thanks!
<span>J Kennedy</span> Fri, 01/03/2020 - 15:37
last year I came across some old castor bean seeds a k a mole beans. they were stored in a jar in a storage room. my dad gave them to me sometime in the mid 80,s.he used to plant them around the perimeter of his garden to stop mole damage. so I planted some in my garden last year and had about 75% germination rate. not bad for some old seeds.
<span>Adrianne Reyes</span> Mon, 01/07/2019 - 15:24
I didn't get to my garden last year so I had my seeds left over plus my mom has a bunch of old seeds so I wanted to know if I could use those again. Your article helped a lot. I'll have to test out some of the old seeds from 2013 and try out my corn to see if it'll still make it this year.
<span>Bob D Harms</span> Thu, 01/03/2019 - 23:37
Just wanted to say thanks. Enjoy your posts, and articles. Saving seed is a fun project. My mulch passes on seed and last year we gained extra squash. Not this year they took over everything lol
<span>Delicia Ambrosino</span> Thu, 01/03/2019 - 10:34
I have used seed from 2009 with excellent germination results. Some germination rates were a tad lower but nowhere near where what I thought they'd be and all I did was stick them in a freezer bag and forgot about them until I began going through boxes to downsize my home and BAM !!! there they were. At first I couldn't believe I'd been carrying packed boxes like that around with me. Truth to tell I honestly don't know why I had those seeds that long. i guess I'm what you might call a hoarder. Honestly, I was totally surprised by the viability of these seeds. Oh, let me just say this was 20 plus packs of a whole different variety of seeds and from various seed suppliers. I was simply overjoyed to discover this especially since I live on a very low income.
<span>Ann Barile</span> Wed, 01/02/2019 - 07:50
You talked about how long veggies seeds last... How about pkgs of flower seeds?
<span>Annie Sullivan</span> Wed, 01/02/2019 - 12:04
I have successfully kept marigold, zinnia, sunflower and nasturtium seed for at least two years. This spring willl be my third year with them and I'm confident I'll get decent germination. I buy these seeds in bulk - in one pound bags, so I'm happy that they keep for a few years.
<span>Connie</span> Tue, 09/04/2018 - 09:22
could you tell me what the seeds look like from this flower. One flower is gone I took a large thing out from the inside is this the seed