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

  • 125 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 A vibrant purple coneflower with delicate petals, set against a blurred green background.

    Purple Coneflower Seeds (Echinacea)

    This native perennial is a treasured herbal remedy

    Purple Coneflower Seeds (Echinacea)

    This native perennial is a treasured herbal remedy
    Regular price As Low As $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid A person holding a bouquet of rocket larkspur flowers in a garden.

    Rocket Larkspur Seeds - Imperial Mix

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

    Rocket Larkspur Seeds - Imperial Mix

    Great in fresh and dried arrangements, as they keep their colors very well
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price $5.49 Sale price As Low As $4.49
    Sale
  • main-collection-product-grid A close-up shot of a Black Eyed Susan flower, showcasing its vibrant yellow petals and dark center.

    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 $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid A close-up of vibrant orange butterfly milkweed flower cluster with green foliage in the background.

    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 $7.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $7.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Pink and white foxglove excelsior flowers growing in a bright garden setting.

    Foxglove Seeds - Excelsior Mix

    RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with elegant pastel biennial blooms
    Sale

    Foxglove Seeds - Excelsior Mix

    RHS Award of Garden Merit winner with elegant pastel biennial blooms
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price $5.49 Sale price As Low As $4.49
    Sale
  • main-collection-product-grid Bright Orange Poppy with delicate petals held by a woman against a blurred green background.

    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 $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Single red Corn Poppy with dark center against a blurred green garden background

    Red Corn Poppy Seeds

    This humble poppy has inspired works of art worldwide
    Sale

    Red Corn Poppy Seeds

    This humble poppy has inspired works of art worldwide
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price $5.49 Sale price As Low As $4.49
    Sale
  • main-collection-product-grid Red Poppy Power Flower Seed Mix field in full bloom on a bright green background

    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 $20.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $20.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Dark purple Poppy Laurens Grape flower with green center on a green leafy background

    Poppy Seeds - Laurens Grape

    This prolific plum bloomer produces up to 5 buds per plant

    Poppy Seeds - Laurens Grape

    This prolific plum bloomer produces up to 5 buds per plant
    Regular price As Low As $6.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Blue flax perennial blue flowers covering a bright open garden setting.

    Perennial Blue Flax Seeds

    Dainty, periwinkle blooms that return season after season
    Sale

    Perennial Blue Flax Seeds

    Dainty, periwinkle blooms that return season after season
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price $5.49 Sale price As Low As $4.49
    Sale
  • main-collection-product-grid Pink Pepperbox Poppy single bloom with green seed pod on a blurred green background

    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 $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid A closeup of vibrant magenta gayfeather flowers in a garden setting.

    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 $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Blue delphinium blue mix flowers growing in a bright sunny garden setting.

    Delphinium Seeds - Blue Mix

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

    Delphinium Seeds - Blue Mix

    A mix of color as deep as the sea and as expansive as the sky
    Regular price $7.49
    Regular price Sale price $7.49
    Out of Stock
  • main-collection-product-grid Purple New England Aster flowers with green foliage, in a field under a clear sky.

    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 $8.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $8.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Columbine McKana giant mix in red, yellow, and white blooms against a green leafy background.

    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 $6.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Close-up of tall maximilian sunflower in bloom on a natural green garden backdrop

    Sunflower Seeds - Maximilian

    This perennial heirloom cultivar is hardy in all USDA zones

    Sunflower Seeds - Maximilian

    This perennial heirloom cultivar is hardy in all USDA zones
    Regular price As Low As $6.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.49
  • main-collection-product-grid A close-up shot of white asclepia Swamp Milkweed flowers with green foliage in the background.

    Swamp Milkweed Seeds - White

    This native wildflower blooms from midsummer into fall
    Sale

    Swamp Milkweed Seeds - White

    This native wildflower blooms from midsummer into fall
    Regular price As Low As $5.99
    Regular price $7.49 Sale price As Low As $5.99
    Sale
  • main-collection-product-grid Orange Oriental Poppy Prince of Orange with dark center on a bright green background

    Oriental Poppy Seeds - Prince of Orange

    RHS Award of Garden Merit winner

    Oriental Poppy Seeds - Prince of Orange

    RHS Award of Garden Merit winner
    Regular price As Low As $6.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Close-up of vibrant pink swamp milkweed flowers with green foliage against a soft-focus background. | copyright: Floramedia UK Ltd

    Swamp Milkweed Seeds - Carmine

    A tall heirloom cultivar that boasts fragrant pink florets

    Swamp Milkweed Seeds - Carmine

    A tall heirloom cultivar that boasts fragrant pink florets
    Regular price As Low As $7.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $7.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Pale purple Hungarian Breadseed Poppy large flower against a light blue background

    Poppy Seeds - Hungarian Breadseed

    Baker or not, you'll appreciate this lavender beauty in the garden

    Poppy Seeds - Hungarian Breadseed

    Baker or not, you'll appreciate this lavender beauty in the garden
    Regular price As Low As $6.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $6.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Dark purple Poppy Double Black ruffled bloom against a blurred green background | copyright: Floramedia UK Ltd

    Poppy Seeds - Double Black

    Peony-flowered blooms in the richest shade of plum

    Poppy Seeds - Double Black

    Peony-flowered blooms in the richest shade of plum
    Regular price As Low As $5.99
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.99
  • main-collection-product-grid A vibrant mix of purple, blue, and white larkspur flowers with green foliage on a soft background.

    Larkspur Seeds - Standard Mix

    Delicate flowers great for borders and cut flowers
    Sale

    Larkspur Seeds - Standard Mix

    Delicate flowers great for borders and cut flowers
    Regular price As Low As $4.49
    Regular price $5.49 Sale price As Low As $4.49
    Sale
  • main-collection-product-grid Pink, purple and white Cleome Mixed Colors flowers with long stamens against a blurred background.

    Cleome Seeds - Mixed Colors

    Colorful blooms will turn your garden into a bustling pollinator hub

    Cleome Seeds - Mixed Colors

    Colorful blooms will turn your garden into a bustling pollinator hub
    Regular price As Low As $5.49
    Regular price Sale price As Low As $5.49
  • main-collection-product-grid Top-down view of a stem of white marshmallow flower with green leaves net to a cup of extract.

    Marshmallow Seeds

    Unique ornamental addition and conversation starter
    Sale

    Marshmallow Seeds

    Unique ornamental addition and conversation starter
    Regular price As Low As $3.99
    Regular price $4.99 Sale price As Low As $3.99
    Sale

Why cold-stratify seeds are worth the extra effort

  • 125 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.