Hey everyone! I recently ordered some herb seeds like basil, thyme, and catnip, and they come in these big packets with around 500 seeds each. I want to make sure I store them properly so they stay viable for as long as possible. In the past, I stored my own chili seeds in the fridge, but they ended up losing their viability. Any tips on how to store these new seeds?
3 Answers
I've been storing mine in a Ziplock bag with an oxygen absorber and a desiccant pack. I squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it up, and I keep them in a dresser drawer in my tool room. They’ve stayed viable for three years so far without any issues!
For best results, you want to keep your seeds in a cool, dry place. If that's not possible, a warm and dry spot should work, too. Just avoid moisture—it can ruin the seeds faster than being warm. So yeah, putting them in the fridge might not be the best idea, as you found out with your chili seeds!
It's good to know that seed viability can differ! For instance, seeds like carrots and onions tend to have a shorter germination window, while others like brassicas and tomatoes? I've had seeds from ten years ago sprout just fine.