RHS membership

RHS Members’ Seed Scheme

Running since 1905, the RHS Seed Scheme draws upon the charity’s diverse plant collections and wealth of expertise to offer RHS members the exclusive opportunity to get seed harvested from RHS Gardens

About the Seed Scheme

The RHS Members’ Seed Scheme continues a long tradition of sharing garden‑grown inspiration with its members. Each year, seed is collected from across the RHS Gardens and prepared into selections that highlight the diversity, beauty and horticultural value of important RHS plant collections.

The scheme offers a simple way for members to discover new plants, support biodiversity and enjoy seed collected from the living collections. It’s an opportunity to bring a touch of RHS horticulture into your own space while taking part in a scheme shaped by more than a century of expertise.

“The seed for the scheme comes from the exceptional plant collections held by the RHS. They cater to all levels from beginners to more experienced gardeners.”

Heather Cooke, Team Leader, Seed and Wellbeing

How to get your RHS Seeds

Learn how to pick up your seeds and support the RHS Members’ Seed Scheme

RHS Seed Scheme 2027

RHS members can pick up seeds from any of the five RHS Gardens between 4 January and 31 March 2027. A range of collections have been put together for different garden styles and situations, which will be available from the visitor services area near each garden entrance. Simply show a valid RHS Membership card and choose up to two seed collections to take home.

We suggest a £5 donation per collection to help cover processing and packaging costs and support the future of the scheme.

Boxes of seed drying
Boxes of harvested seed cleaned and drying

RHS Seed team
RHS Seed team volunteers helping to pack seed orders

Collecting your seed

  • Available to RHS members in the UK
  • Collect from any of the five RHS Gardens
  • Available from 4 January to 31 March 2027
  • Show your valid RHS Membership card when collecting
  • Choose up to two seed collections
  • Suggested £5 donation per collection

Check back in October for the full list of available seeds.

Frequently asked questions about the scheme

Find answers to the most common questions about the RHS Members’ Seed Scheme:

Who can access the seed scheme?
When open, the RHS Members’ Seed Scheme is available exclusively to RHS members. RHS Membership provides access to this benefit, along with many other gardening-related resources and opportunities.

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Why can’t seeds be ordered online this year?
Seed ordering is unavailable online this year due to system updates aimed at improving future services. As part of this process, the scheme is being held in the RHS Gardens.
Will the plants be the same as the original?
Not always. The seeds are collected from open-pollinated plants, which means they may have been naturally cross-pollinated. As a result, the plants grown from them might not look exactly like the parent and could show mixed or unexpected traits.
Are any of the seeds harmful?
Possibly. While every effort is made to highlight those seeds which are known to be toxic, it should be assumed that ALL seed could be potentially harmful or cause skin irritation.
Are invasive species included in the seed scheme?
No – the RHS Seed team works to exclude seeds from potentially invasive species.

Looking for specific seed advice?

Get advice on all the basics, from germinating seeds and collecting them at home to expert tips on seed care:

Get in touch

If you are looking to commercialise the genetic material, its products or resources derived from it, please get in touch with the RHS Seed team.
 

Email

[email protected]

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The RHS is the UK’s gardening charity, helping people and plants to grow - nurturing a healthier, happier world, one person and one plant at a time.