How we reviewed this: this is a research-based review. We did not buy or test the product ourselves. We checked the official website, policies and independent customer feedback, and every fact below links to its source. Facts checked 2026-11-03. How we review · Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Quick verdict: is SeedsNOW legit?
Yes. SeedsNOW is a real seed company that has been selling since 2010 out of Southern California, with an A+ from the Better Business Bureau and no BBB complaints. Its seed banks are a convenient way to stock a garden or a long-term seed supply, and the MEGA Seed Bank is the better value of the two big kits. The catches are on the service side: there’s no germination guarantee, its return rules contradict each other, and it doesn’t reply to unhappy customers on Trustpilot. Buy if you’re fine testing your seeds on arrival. If you want a company with a stronger customer service record, look at Botanical Interests instead.
Pros
- ✓ In business since 2010, BBB A+ and accredited, 0 BBB complaints
- ✓ Big catalog (778 products), all sold as open-pollinated and non-GMO
- ✓ MEGA Seed Bank packs 55 varieties with large seed counts and a vacuum-seal vault
- ✓ Ships in 1 to 2 business days by USPS, about 5 business days in transit
Cons
- ✗ No germination guarantee: the warranty disclaims results
- ✗ Refund policy says “All sales are final” while the FAQ allows returns with a 15% restocking fee
- ✗ Trustpilot 3.0 from 83 reviews (18% one-star), and the company doesn’t reply
- ✗ “Certified organic” claims don’t name a certifier; US shipping only (no AK, HI, PR)
See the SeedsNOW MEGA Seed Bank →
What SeedsNOW sells, and what it costs
| Product | Price (Nov 3, 2026) | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEGA Seed Bank for Survival | $149.99 | 55 heirloom, non-GMO varieties with large seed counts, a 10.5-inch vacuum-seal vault and 25 seed-starting soil pods | Long-term seed storage, bigger gardens |
| Complete Garden Abundance Seed Bank | $119.99 | 50 varieties, many with small counts (for example about 10 cucumber or 15 Roma tomato seeds), in a vacuum-seal vault | A small starter garden |
| Cool-Season Garden Variety Pack | $39.99 | 15 cold-hardy varieties SeedsNOW picks for your USDA zone (you don’t choose them) | Fall and winter planting |
| Xtra-Large Seed Storage Vault | $38.99 | Container only: 3.8 liters, vacuum-seal lid, holds about 400 packets | Storing seed you already have |
| Single seed packets | $1.49 to $14.99 (most $2.99 to $3.99) | Sampler packs are small; large packs cost more | Filling gaps by variety |
Prices are from SeedsNOW’s own product pages on November 3, 2026. SeedsNOW shows high “compare at” prices (the MEGA bank lists $299), but we found no evidence it ever sold at that price, so judge it on the real price. Compare price per seed, not price per packet: sampler packs often hold only 10 to 15 seeds.
The best buy: MEGA Seed Bank, not the Complete bank
For $30 more than the Complete Garden Abundance bank, the MEGA Seed Bank gives you five more varieties and far more seed. SeedsNOW’s own listings show the gap: over 400 artichoke seeds in the MEGA bank versus about 50 in the Complete bank, plus over 2,000 arugula seeds. It also comes with a larger vault and 25 soil pods. If you’re buying a seed bank for long-term storage, the extra quantity is the point.
One thing that doesn’t add up: SeedsNOW’s own MEGA bank labels disagree on the total. One product photo says “58,000+ seeds” and another says “88,000+ seeds.” Count on the variety list, not the headline number.
Check the MEGA Seed Bank price →
Planting this fall? The Cool-Season Garden Variety Pack is 15 cold-hardy varieties picked for your zone. It’s a mystery pack, so it suits gardeners who don’t mind SeedsNOW choosing the mix. Already have seed? The Xtra-Large Seed Storage Vault is just the container.
The fine print SeedsNOW doesn’t put up front
- No germination guarantee. The refund policy only warrants that seed is labeled as required by law and matches its label within tolerances. It says there’s “no warranty of results,” and any remedy is limited to what you paid. Some product pages quote germination rates (for example “over 85%” on a basil mix), but those are descriptions, not promises.
- Return rules that contradict each other. The refund policy says “All sales are final. Seeds are non-refundable after 30 days.” The FAQ says returns are accepted within 30 days with a 15% restocking fee. Assume the stricter rule, and report any problem within 30 days.
- Complaints go unanswered. On Trustpilot, SeedsNOW scores 3.0 from 83 reviews: 75% five-star, 18% one-star, and the company hasn’t replied to the negative ones. The recurring complaints are poor germination, orders that never arrived, and no response from customer service.
- Organic claims you can’t check. SeedsNOW says certified organic seeds are labeled on the site, but it doesn’t name a certifier, and a search of the USDA Organic Integrity Database found no SeedsNOW operation. A reseller of prepackaged certified seed can be exempt, so this isn’t proof of anything wrong, just a claim you can’t verify. The heirloom, open-pollinated and non-GMO claims are also SeedsNOW’s own.
- Where it ships. USPS within the lower 48 states only: no Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada or international. Orders process in 1 to 2 business days and usually arrive in about 5. The homepage banner offered free shipping over $10 “today”; the FAQ says rates are calculated at checkout, so the threshold changes.
What independent customers say: no major gardening publication has reviewed SeedsNOW. The best long-running signal is Dave’s Garden Watchdog, which lists 163 positive, 3 neutral and 7 negative reviews, mostly from 2018 to 2020. Its most recent review (March 2025) is negative, reporting zero germination on kale and eggplant after two sowings.
How to protect yourself if you buy
- Run a germination test as soon as your seeds arrive: put 10 seeds between damp paper towels, keep them warm, and count the sprouts. Seven sprouts means about 70% germination.
- Report bad seed within 30 days, in writing, through SeedsNOW’s support form or toll-free line (1-877-344-4669), and keep your order number.
- Store what you don’t plant cold, dry and airtight, and retest every year.
- Pay by credit card, which gives you dispute rights if an order never arrives.
For the storage side, see our sister site’s guides on seed storage and how long seeds last.
SeedsNOW vs other seed companies
| Company | Trustpilot | BBB | Answers complaints? |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeedsNOW | 3.0 (83 reviews, 18% one-star) | A+, accredited, 0 complaints | No replies on Trustpilot |
| Botanical Interests | 4.7 (122 reviews, 90% five-star) | A+, not accredited | Replies to all negative reviews |
| Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds | 2.9 (67 reviews, 43% one-star) | A+, not accredited, 4 complaints in 3 years | Replies to all negative reviews |
| Johnny’s Selected Seeds | 2.7 (36 reviews, 61% one-star) | B-, not accredited | Hasn’t replied to negative reviews |
| True Leaf Market | 2.7 (14 reviews, unclaimed profile) | A+, accredited | Profile not claimed |
Seed companies get rough online reviews across the board, since germination depends on weather, soil and timing as much as the seed. SeedsNOW lands in the middle of the pack. Where it falls short is responsiveness: Botanical Interests and Baker Creek publicly answer unhappy customers, and SeedsNOW doesn’t. If service matters most to you, Botanical Interests has the strongest record here. If you want a ready-made long-term seed bank, SeedsNOW’s MEGA bank is the more convenient buy.
See Botanical Interests (we don’t earn a commission from them) →
FAQ
Is SeedsNOW legit?
Yes. SeedsNOW has sold seeds since 2010 from Southern California, holds an A+ BBB rating with no BBB complaints, and ships real orders. Its weak points are service: no germination guarantee, contradictory return terms, and no replies to negative Trustpilot reviews.
Does SeedsNOW guarantee germination?
No. Its refund policy says there is no warranty of results and limits any remedy to the purchase price. Test your seeds when they arrive and report problems within 30 days.
Which SeedsNOW seed bank is best?
The MEGA Seed Bank for Survival ($149.99 on Nov 3, 2026). It has 55 varieties and far larger seed counts than the $119.99 Complete Garden Abundance bank, plus a larger vault and soil pods.
Can you return seeds to SeedsNOW?
Its policies conflict. The refund policy says all sales are final and seeds are non-refundable after 30 days, while the FAQ says returns are accepted within 30 days with a 15% restocking fee. Plan on the stricter rule.
Are SeedsNOW seeds organic?
Some are labeled organic, but SeedsNOW doesn’t name a certifier and we found no SeedsNOW listing in the USDA Organic Integrity Database. All its seeds are sold as open-pollinated and non-GMO, which are SeedsNOW’s own claims.
Where does SeedsNOW ship?
USPS within the lower 48 US states. It doesn’t ship to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Canada or overseas. Orders process in 1 to 2 business days and usually arrive in about 5.
Sources
- SeedsNOW MEGA Seed Bank (product data)
- SeedsNOW Complete Garden Abundance Seed Bank (product data)
- SeedsNOW Cool-Season Garden Variety Pack
- SeedsNOW Xtra-Large Seed Storage Vault
- SeedsNOW refund policy
- SeedsNOW shipping policy
- SeedsNOW FAQ
- SeedsNOW about us (contact)
- BBB: SeedsNOW
- Trustpilot: SeedsNOW
- Dave’s Garden Watchdog: SeedsNOW
- USDA Organic Integrity Database
- Trustpilot: Botanical Interests
- Trustpilot: Baker Creek
- BBB: Baker Creek
- Trustpilot: Johnny’s Selected Seeds
- BBB: Johnny’s Selected Seeds
- Trustpilot: True Leaf Market