What Are Heirloom Seeds?

Depending on who you ask in the plant community, there are different criteria for what makes heirloom seeds an heirloom. Heirloom seeds differ from hybrid seeds for its ability to adapt to its environment and mutate to the local ecosystem. Below lists some of the criteria for heirloom plants:

• Generational Heirloom: Some plant owners believe that heirlooms include seeds that are passed down from generation to generation that came from a plant that was at least 50 years old.

• Commercialized Heirlooms: companies who produce seeds will acquire heirlooms and sell them to the public. 

• Hand-made Heirlooms: generally have open-pollinated seeds that are repurposed and replanted. Normally a cross-bred between different types of heirlooms

• Mysterious Heirlooms: sometimes things just happen naturally. Cross-pollination is the culprit for these types of heirlooms.

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Frequently Asked Question’s

• Most common types of heirlooms?

  Obviously, the most popular heirloom is tomatoes. But there are many others that many gardeners do not know about. Some of these include but are not limited too:

  • Beans

  • Corn

  • Pumpkins

  • Cucumbers

  • Melons

  • Lettuce

  There are specific varieties throughout each of these categories that are considered heirlooms.

• Where can I buy heirlooms?

  They are way more common than you think, you can find heirloom tomatoes at any local nursery, department stores, or even local supermarkets.

• Are heirlooms hard to grow?

  Heirlooms generally have better flavor than regular variations. Some types are more challenging than others.

• Can houseplants, fruits, and herbs be heirloom plants?

  Any plant can be considered an heirloom.