Heirloom Seeds

All these varieties have been passed down through multiple generations of gardeners because of their outstanding qualities, whether that's amazing flavor, beautiful looks, disease resistance, storability, or vigorous growth and high yields. There is some debate in the seed world about what qualifies as an "heirloom" - at Sow True, we define "heirloom" as having been developed before the advent of industrial agriculture. All the varieties in this collection have been around since 1950 or earlier. Many of them date to the 19th century, and a few are even older!  Did you know that all heirloom seeds are open-pollinated, but not all open-pollinated seeds are heirlooms? Some great OP varieties were developed very recently.

Showing 1–24 of 253 results

Amaranth Seeds - Red Garnet

Amaranthus cruentus Jewel-toned plants are best harvested young for tasty salad greens or to be sauteed like spinach. If grown to maturity, plants reach 6 to 8 feet tall and...

Amaranth Seeds- Hopi Red Dye

Amaranthus cruentus HEIRLOOM. Stunning burgundy leaves and seed heads make a beautiful back drop to any garden. Entire plant is edible including the tasty black seeds. Used ceremonially, as a...

Artichoke Seeds - Green Globe

Cynara scolymus HEIRLOOM. The classic, most popular artichoke variety. Beautiful plants grow up to 6 feet tall with arching silver-green foliage. The large, edible flower buds grow to 3 to...

Basil Seeds, Mrs. Burns Lemon

Ocimum basilicum HEIRLOOM. This chef's delight will thrill the basil lover in everyone. With an intense citrus flavor, this variety is more heat tolerant than other basils making it a...

Beauregard Sweet Potatoes, Organic

*** Pre-Order Information ***Sweet Potato Slips ship in early June, 2024 Ipomoea batatas Delicious and reliable producer with fast-maturing roots that have red-orange skin and orange flesh. Easy to grow,...

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Beet Seeds - Bull's Blood

Beta vulgaris HEIRLOOM. This variety will grace your garden with the deepest purple-red leaves of any beet! The sweet and tender baby greens look great in a salad, and the...

Beet Seeds - Chioggia

Beta vulgaris HEIRLOOM. This Italian specialty, also known as Candystripe or Bull’s Eye, has round red roots with a striking bullseye pattern of white and fuschia rings inside. A festive...

Beet Seeds - Cylindra

Beta vulgaris HEIRLOOM. The best beet for pickles! This heirloom from Denmark is also known as “Butter Slicer” because of its tender, smooth texture. Long, uniform, carrot-like roots make for...

Beet Seeds - Detroit Dark Red, ORGANIC

Beta vulgaris ORGANIC. HEIRLOOM. Our most popular beet! A consistent producer for canning, juicing, pickling, or roasting, with uniform, 3-inch burgundy roots and bright green leaves. This old reliable heirloom...

Beet Seeds - Early Wonder

Beta vulgaris HEIRLOOM. This quick-growing variety has been prized for its abundant greens and high-quality, 3-inch roots since 1911. Its short time to harvest makes it ideal for succession sowing...

Beet Seeds - Lutz Green Leaf

Beta vulgaris HEIRLOOM. Also called "Winter Keeper," this red-fleshed beet with pale green tops is famous for its sweetness, long-storage quality, and tenderness even when large (up to 6” across!)...

Bradshaw Sweet Potato

Pre-Order Information Sweet Potato Slips ship in early June, 2024 Ipomoea batatas Orange skin and deep orange flesh when cooked. Great traditional Southern sweet potato variety with a rich sweetness...

Broccoli Seeds - Di Ciccio, ORGANIC

Brassica oleracea HEIRLOOM. You won’t find this beloved old Italian variety in the produce section of your supermarket, which makes it even more exciting to grow at home! Compact, 2...

Broccoli Seeds - Green Sprouting Calabrese

Brassica oleracea HEIRLOOM. This variety came to the United States in the late 1800s with Italian immigrants, and has been a favorite among gardeners ever since! Uniform plants produce a...

Brussels Sprouts Seeds - Catskill

Brassica oleracea HEIRLOOM. This highly productive dwarf variety was introduced in 1941 by Arthur White of Arkport, NY. It has become a prized favorite for its large, 2" diameter, super-flavorful...

Brussels Sprouts Seeds - Long Island Improved

Brassica oleracea HEIRLOOM. This reliable, heavy-yielding variety has been a favorite since its introduction in the late 1800s. Compact, 20-inch-tall plants produce 50 to 100 large, tightly headed, dark green...

Bunching Onion Seeds - Evergreen Bunching Nebuka

Allium fistulosum HEIRLOOM. This popular and reliable, non-bulbing Japanese onion produces long white stalks with sweet, delicious flavor. Hardy, slow-to-bolt, and overwinters well. Bunching onions, also known as green onions...

Bush Bean Seeds - Blue Lake 274

Phaseolus vulgaris HEIRLOOM. Blue Lake 274 is a well-loved and reliable, classic green bean. Its heavy yield arrives all at once, making it a favorite for canning and freezing, but...

Bush Bean Seeds - Cherokee Wax

Phaseolus vulgaris This old favorite was introduced by Clemson University in 1947, and won the All-America Selections Award the following year. It’s been a reliable staple in gardens for decades...

Bush Bean Seeds - Dark Corner

 Phaseolus vulgaris HEIRLOOM. A productive, bush-type snap bean from the Dark Corner region of upstate South Carolina, saved by Manning Farmer and his family for generations. (Mr. Farmer also brought...

Bush Bean Seeds - Dragon Tongue, ORGANIC

Phaseolus vulgaris ORGANIC. HEIRLOOM. A fanciful name for a fanciful bean! This beautiful variety originated in the Netherlands in the 18th century, and we can see why it has endured...

Bush Bean Seeds - Maxibel Haricot Vert, ORGANIC

Phaseolus vulgaris HEIRLOOM. Maxibel produces the classic slender and delicate French green beans known as haricots verts or filet beans in the world of gourmet cooking. An abundant, concentrated set...

Bush Bean Seeds - Roma II

Phaseolus vulgaris Roma II produces heavy yields of classic Italian-type green beans - flat, stringless pods with rich flavor and crisp, hearty texture. Upright, determinate plants will produce mostly in...

Cabbage Seeds - Charleston Wakefield

Brassica oleracea HEIRLOOM. Charleston Wakefield cabbage was introduced in 1892 as the Southern grower’s answer to Early Jersey Wakefield. It produces similar conical heads, but handles warm weather better than...