Collection: Cold Stratify Seeds

Many seeds seem to magically sprout with zero effort—the wonders of nature! But there are some seeds that require a special treatment before they will even germinate in a climate that has temperatures below freezing. This process is called cold stratification. There are two ways to accomplish this. 1) Place them in the ground in fall and let them go through a winter. They will sprout next year, but not flower. The following year, having gone through two winters, they will return and bloom as expected. 2) Create a “false winter.” To do this, you’ll trick the seeds into thinking they have been in the ground for an entire year, when in fact, they have simply been refrigerated for 2 ½ or more months. Learn more about cold stratification, and be on your way to gorgeous blooms.

Why cold-stratify seeds are worth the extra effort

  • 112 cold stratify seeds
  • Direct sow in fall or refrigerate seeds to mimic winter conditions
  • Annual and perennial varieties for continual blooms and harvests
  • Flowers, herbs, and vegetables suitable for all hardiness zones

  • main-collection-product-grid purple coneflower

    Purple Coneflower Seeds (Echinacea)

    This native perennial is a treasured herbal medicine

    Purple Coneflower Seeds (Echinacea)

    This native perennial is a treasured herbal medicine
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Black Eyed Susan

    Black Eyed Susan Seeds

    This distinctive wildflower is a North American native and great for a kid's garden

    Black Eyed Susan Seeds

    This distinctive wildflower is a North American native and great for a kid's garden
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid rocket larkspur

    Rocket Larkspur Seeds - Tall Mix

    Great in fresh and dried arrangements, as they keep their colors very well

    Rocket Larkspur Seeds - Tall Mix

    Great in fresh and dried arrangements, as they keep their colors very well
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid poppy laurens grape

    Poppy Seeds - Laurens Grape

    This prolific plum bloomer produces up to 5 buds per plant
    Out of Stock

    Poppy Seeds - Laurens Grape

    This prolific plum bloomer produces up to 5 buds per plant
    Regular price As Low As $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
    Out of Stock
  • main-collection-product-grid Orange Poppy

    California Poppy Seeds - Orange

    This classic orange bloom is California's state flower

    California Poppy Seeds - Orange

    This classic orange bloom is California's state flower
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Butterfly Milkweed

    Butterfly Milkweed Seeds

    This is no noxious weed, but a beneficial wildflower

    Butterfly Milkweed Seeds

    This is no noxious weed, but a beneficial wildflower
    Regular price As Low As $6.59
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.59
  • main-collection-product-grid corn poppy

    Red Corn Poppy Seeds

    This humble poppy has inspired works of art worldwide

    Red Corn Poppy Seeds

    This humble poppy has inspired works of art worldwide
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid blue flax

    Perennial Blue Flax Seeds

    Dainty, periwinkle blooms that return season after season

    Perennial Blue Flax Seeds

    Dainty, periwinkle blooms that return season after season
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid gayfeather

    Gayfeather / Blazing Star Seeds

    With tall purple, spiky plumes, gayfeather is ideal in containers by the front door

    Gayfeather / Blazing Star Seeds

    With tall purple, spiky plumes, gayfeather is ideal in containers by the front door
    Regular price As Low As $4.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.79
  • main-collection-product-grid foxglove excelsior mix

    Foxglove Seeds - Excelsior Mix

    Add elegance to your garden with these pastel biennial blooms

    Foxglove Seeds - Excelsior Mix

    Add elegance to your garden with these pastel biennial blooms
    Regular price As Low As $4.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.79
  • main-collection-product-grid poppy pepperbox

    Poppy Seeds - Pepperbox

    This multipurpose flower is perfect for bouquets and baking

    Poppy Seeds - Pepperbox

    This multipurpose flower is perfect for bouquets and baking
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.49
  • main-collection-product-grid delphinium blue mix

    Delphinium Seeds - Blue Mix

    A mix of color as deep as the sea and as expansive as the sky

    Delphinium Seeds - Blue Mix

    A mix of color as deep as the sea and as expansive as the sky
    Regular price $6.29
    Regular price Sale price $6.29
  • main-collection-product-grid poppy flower seed mix

    Poppy Power - Poppy Flower Seed Mix

    For the grower who can't decide on just one poppy

    Poppy Power - Poppy Flower Seed Mix

    For the grower who can't decide on just one poppy
    Regular price As Low As $16.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $16.79
  • main-collection-product-grid foxglove gloxiniaeflora

    Foxglove Seeds - Gloxiniaeflora Mix

    Tall, tubular blooms add vertical color to even the shadiest corners

    Foxglove Seeds - Gloxiniaeflora Mix

    Tall, tubular blooms add vertical color to even the shadiest corners
    Regular price As Low As $4.79
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $4.79
  • main-collection-product-grid New England Aster

    New England Aster Seeds

    This native perennial wildflower grows well beyond New England

    New England Aster Seeds

    This native perennial wildflower grows well beyond New England
    Regular price As Low As $7.09
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $7.09
  • main-collection-product-grid columbine mckana mix

    Columbine Seeds - McKana Giant Mix

    This colorful, whimsical mix attracts native pollinators

    Columbine Seeds - McKana Giant Mix

    This colorful, whimsical mix attracts native pollinators
    Regular price As Low As $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49

Why cold-stratify seeds are worth the extra effort

  • 112 cold stratify seeds
  • Direct sow in fall or refrigerate seeds to mimic winter conditions
  • Annual and perennial varieties for continual blooms and harvests
  • Flowers, herbs, and vegetables suitable for all hardiness zones

The best cold-stratify seeds to set your garden apart

Are you looking to level up your gardening game? Now that you've mastered all the beginner-friendly seeds, it's time for a little bit of a challenge.

The seeds in this collection aren't your typical run-of-the-mill garden seeds that everyone else in your neighborhood is growing. These vegetables, herbs, and flowers are truly special. All of the seeds in this list require cold stratification to germinate—meaning, these seeds have to go through a true or false winter before they'll even sprout.

The cool thing (no pun intended) about cold-stratified seeds is that they tolerate colder temperatures. These hardy plants are far from delicate, and while they do need a little extra attention to germinate, once established these varieties don't require much extra care.

From native flowering perennials like Yarrow Colorado Mix, to common culinary and medicinal herbs like Common Oregano and Munstead Lavender, you might be surprised by some of the varieties in this collection. Even asparagus is technically a cold-stratify seed!

Cold-stratify seeds in the garden or in the refrigerator

The process of cold-stratifying seeds can take a couple of different forms: 1) Plant the seeds in fall and let them go through a winter. They will sprout next year, but not flower. The following year, having gone through two winters, they will return and bloom as expected. 2) Create a false winter by refrigerating the seeds for at least 2 ½ months. Plant seeds in the spring and they'll readily sprout, thinking that they've lived through an entire year already.

Fall-sowing seed is certainly the easiest method and the most natural, but the refrigerator method is perfect for gardeners whose growing regions doesn't experience below-freezing temperatures, or for gardeners who are short on time. Learn more about cold stratification here, and be on your way to gorgeous blooms and delicious herbs in no time!

The highest-quality cold stratify seeds on the market

At Eden Brothers, we know exactly how much of an investment gardening is. We understand how carefully you research seeds before you make your final purchases. We're well aware how much money you spend on seeds, but what's even more important is the time and energy that you put into each and every seed. That's the reason why we strive to supply the highest quality seeds on the market. We stand by the Safe Seed Pledge that we took, guaranteeing that our seeds would always be free of GMOs and fillers.

Order your cold-stratify seeds today and we promise you won't be disappointed. If you follow our recommended planting instructions, even the most lifeless-looking seeds will be bursting with life after a brief cold spell.