How long are seeds good for?

[PepperWeston]

I recently planted some seeds my buddy gave me that were 3 months old.. What's my germination chances and exactly how long are seeds good for?

 

[robbyjoe01]

Many variables there-how they were died,stored,and handled but I would say at least they are fresh. Seeds if stored properly can last year's.

 

[juanitos]

exactly = who knows , some people planting stuff from hundreds years ago supposedly.
 
your chances are good. year old seeds are good.
 
every year after the germ % goes down some, say by 10% or something. after 5 years they are pretty bad.

 

[Spicy Mushroom]

If they are 3 months "old" extracted from ripe fruit 3 months ago then they are totally fine, man.
 
Keep in mind seeds often lay in the wild after dropped from plant or animal until next year gives them ideal climate for germination. Essentially, a year of wait is the norm for most plants. Some depend on cold stratification before they will germinate. Peppers don't require that, but i'm fairly sure they do lie around for a good years time naturally. I have germinated pepper seeds many years old.

 

[willard3]

I've used seeds that were 10 yrs old and stored properly without incident.
 
Anasazi beans sprouted after 500 years sucessfully.

 

[PepperWeston]

I've used seeds that were 10 yrs old and stored properly without incident.
 
Anasazi beans sprouted after 500 years sucessfully.

 
Thank You!

If they are 3 months "old" extracted from ripe fruit 3 months ago then they are totally fine, man.
 
Keep in mind seeds often lay in the wild after dropped from plant or animal until next year gives them ideal climate for germination. Essentially, a year of wait is the norm for most plants. Some depend on cold stratification before they will germinate. Peppers don't require that, but i'm fairly sure they do lie around for a good years time naturally. I have germinated pepper seeds many years old.

Thank You So Much Spicy!

exactly = who knows , some people planting stuff from hundreds years ago supposedly.
 
your chances are good. year old seeds are good.
 
every year after the germ % goes down some, say by 10% or something. after 5 years they are pretty bad.

Thank You Juanitos

Many variables there-how they were died,stored,and handled but I would say at least they are fresh. Seeds if stored properly can last year's.

Thank You Robby

 

[cmpman1974]

Absolutely no problem germinating 10-15 year old seeds stored correctly