What is the difference between heirloom and open-pollinated seeds? Or an F1 hybrid vs. a GMO? You're not alone if you have ever felt lost in seed lingo.
New plant breeding techniques keep evolving, and the debate over “good” or “bad” is not going anywhere. But here is the thing—you do not need a science degree to make smart choices. You need clear, no-fluff info.
That is what this blog is all about. Whether you are just starting or leveling up your garden game, we are here to break it down—simple, straight-up, and judgment-free.
Let’s dig in!
The following is a list of common (and a few not-so-common) terms you are likely to encounter:
What is a Cultivar?
The word cultivar comes from “cultivated variety”—pretty much what it sounds like! In seed catalogs, you will usually see it as the ‘variety name’ after the plant’s scientific name. For example, in San Joaquin Pepper (Capsicum annuum), ‘San Joaquin’ is the cultivar.
So, what does that actually mean? A cultivar is a group of plants with specific traits that stay the same when grown from seed. It can be either a hybrid or an open-pollinated variety—what matters is that it’s been selected and named for its unique features.
What is a Hybrid (F1)?
An F1 hybrid (aka first-generation hybrid) is what happens when breeders take two pure plant lines—plants that always produce identical offspring—and cross them to create a new variety with the best traits from both parents. Think of it like a plant power couple!
Why bother? Hybrids are often bred for things like disease resistance, uniform growth, early harvests, high nutrition, or even better colour.
The catch? Hybrid seeds usually cost more because producing them is labour-intensive—pure parent lines have to be carefully maintained, and cross-pollination is often done by hand.
Can you save seeds from an F1 hybrid? Technically, yes. But the plants grown from those seeds won’t be true to type, meaning they might not have the same awesome traits as the original hybrid.
Some classic home garden hybrids? Big Beef, Celebrity, and Juliette tomatoes.
What does Open Pollinated (OP) mean?
Open-pollinated (OP) seeds are the result of natural pollination—think bees, wind, or even the plant pollinating itself. The best part? If you save seeds from an OP variety and plant them next year, they will grow true to type, meaning they will have the same traits as the parent plant.
Sounds simple, right? Well, there is a small catch. If you plant different OP varieties too close together, pollinators (or the wind) can mix things up. This is especially true for plants like corn, squash and pumpkins—unless you separate varieties by a good distance, you might end up with an unexpected surprise next season.
So, if you are into seed saving, just keep spacing in mind. Otherwise, OP varieties are a great way to grow, save, and repeat!
What is an Heirloom?
Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated varieties that have been shaped by natural selection rather than controlled hybrid breeding.
Some people say a variety needs to be at least 50 years old to be considered an heirloom, while others define heirlooms as anything developed before the 1940s and 50s—before hybrids became the norm.
Just like other open-pollinated seeds, heirloom seeds stay true to type. That means if you save seeds from an heirloom plant, the next generation will have the same traits as the parent.
People love the idea that heirlooms have been passed down through generations—and sometimes, that’s true! But these days, many heirlooms are produced commercially and sold in seed packets, making them widely available to home gardeners.
So whether you are growing for tradition, flavour, or just curiosity, heirlooms bring a little history to your garden.
What does Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) mean?
The term Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? According to the USDA, a GMO is any organism that has been genetically modified—whether through modern genetic engineering or traditional plant breeding methods.
Here is where things get tricky: People often use GMO and genetic engineering (GE) interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.
For centuries, plant breeders have been selecting and tweaking plant traits—like better flavour, disease resistance, or uniform growth—to improve crops. That is considered genetic modification, too!
When breeders create hybrids or improve open-pollinated varieties, they are making changes that could also happen naturally. That is why technically, even things like seedless watermelons and modern broccoli fall under GMO breeding methods—but not genetic engineering.
What are Pelleted Seeds?
Pelleted seeds are just regular seeds wrapped in a small, round pellet made of clay or another lightweight material. This coating makes tiny seeds—like lettuce, carrots, and onions—way easier to handle and plant. It’s also super helpful for those tiny, pricey flower seeds that are hard to see. So, if you’ve ever struggled with planting super small seeds, pelleted ones are here to make your life a little easier.
Choosing the right seeds does not have to be overwhelming. With a little knowledge you will be well on your way to growing a thriving garden.
So, take your time, ask questions, and get excited about the possibilities.
Happy planting, and we hope your garden flourishes with every seed you sow!