Seed Longevity Charts
Amanda Stephens • February 19, 2026
Average Seed Longevity Charts
Many seeds can last for multiple seasons when kept under the right conditions, especially in a cool, dark, and dry environment. Their lifespan varies depending on the type, initial seed quality, and how consistently they are protected from heat, light, and moisture.
These charts provide general lifespan ranges so you can decide which seeds are still worth planting and which may need to be replaced. There is a scroll bar on the right of each chart.
Fruit & Vegetable Seed Longevity Chart
| FRUITS & VEGETABLES | YEARS |
|---|---|
| Artichoke & Cardoon | 1-4 |
| Arugula | 3-6 |
| Asian Greens | 3 |
| Asparagus | 3-4 |
| Beans | 2-4 |
| Beets | 2-5 |
| Broccoli | 3-5 |
| Brussels Sprouts | 3-5 |
| Cabbage | 3-5 |
| Cabbage, Chinese | 3-5 |
| Carrots | 3-4 |
| Cauliflower | 4-5 |
| Celery & Celeriac | 3-5 |
| Chard | 2-5 |
| Chicory | 4-5 |
| Collards | 3-5 |
| Corn, Sweet | 1-3 |
| Cress | 5 |
| Cucumber | 3-6 |
| Dandelion | 1-2 |
| Eggplant | 4-5 |
| Endive/Escarole | 5 |
| Fennel | 3-4 |
| Kale | 3-5 |
| Kohlrabi | 3-5 |
| Leeks | 1-3 |
| Lentils | 1-2 |
| Lettuce | 1-6 |
| Melons | 3-6 |
| Muskmelons | 3-6 |
| Mustard | 4 |
| Okra | 2-3 |
| Onions | 1-2 |
| Parsnip | 1-3 |
| Peas | 2-4 |
| Peppers | 2-5 |
| Pumpkins | 4-6 |
| Purslane | 3-5 |
| Radishes | 4-5 |
| Rhubarb | 1-2 |
| Rutabaga | 3-5 |
| Salsify | 1-2 |
| Soybean | 3-5 |
| Spinach | 1-5 |
| Squash & Gourds | 3-6 |
| Strawberry | 5 |
| Summer Squash | 3-6 |
| Swiss Chard | 2-5 |
| Tomatoes | 3-7 |
| Turnips | 4-5 |
| Watermelons | 4-5 |
| Winter Squash | 4-5 |
Herb Seed Longevity Chart
| HERBS | YEARS |
|---|---|
| Angelica | 2 |
| Anise | 1-3 |
| Anise Hyssop | 1-4 |
| Basil, sweet | 3-5 |
| Bee balm | 2-3 |
| Borage | 1-4 |
| Calendula | 3 |
| Caraway | 1-2 |
| Catnip | 3 |
| Chamomile | 4 |
| Chervil | 1-4 |
| Chives | 1-3 |
| Cilantro | 1-4 |
| Coriander | 1-4 |
| Dill | 1-4 |
| Epazote | 3 |
| Echinacea | 4 |
| Eucalyptus | 4 |
| Fennel | 1-2 |
| Feverfew | 2 |
| Hyssop | 1-4 |
| Lavender | 4 |
| Lemon balm | 1-4 |
| Lemongrass | 3 |
| Lovage | 1-3 |
| Marjoram | 1-4 |
| Mint | 4 |
| Oregano | 4 |
| Parsley | 1-4 |
| Rosemary | 1-4 |
| Rue | 2 |
| Sage | 1-3 |
| Savory | 1-4 |
| Sorrel | 4 |
| Stevia | 3-5 |
| Thyme | 1-4 |
| Valerian | 2-3 |
Flower Seed Longevity Chart
| FLOWERS | YEARS |
|---|---|
| Achillea | 2 |
| Acroclinium | 3 |
| Ageratum | 3-5 |
| Agrostemma | 3 |
| Alyssum | 3 |
| Amaranth | 3-5 |
| Ammi | 2 |
| Aquilegia (Columbine) | 1-2 |
| Artemisia | 1-5 |
| Asclepias | 1 |
| Aster | 1-2 |
| Baby's Breath | 2 |
| Bachelor's Button | 3-5 |
| Bells Of Ireland | 2 |
| Calendula | 3-5 |
| Campanula | 3 |
| Candytuft | 2 |
| Carnation | 3-5 |
| Celosia | 2-4 |
| Centaurea | 1-5 |
| Chinese Lantern | 1 |
| Chrysanthemum | 3 |
| Clarkia | 2 |
| Columbine | 2 |
| Coneflower | 1-2 |
| Coreopsis | 2 |
| Cosmos | 3-5 |
| Dahlia | 2-5 |
| Daisy | 3 |
| Delphinium | 1-3 |
| Dianthus | 3-5 |
| Didiscus | 3 |
| Digitalis | 1-2 |
| Dusty Miller | 3-5 |
| Eryngium | 2 |
| Euphorbia | 4 |
| Forget-Me-Not | 2 |
| Four O'Clock | 2 |
| Gaillardia | 2 |
| Gomphrena | 3-5 |
| Gypsophila | 2-4 |
| Hollyhock | 3 |
| Honesty | 2 |
| Hyacinth Bean | 3-5 |
| Impatiens | 1-2 |
| Larkspur | 1-3 |
| Lavatera | 3-5 |
| Lisianthus | 2-3 |
| Lobelia | 3 |
| Lupine | 2-4 |
| Marigold | 2-5 |
| Matricaria | 1-3 |
| Monarda | 4 |
| Nasturtium | 3-7 |
| Nicotiana | 3 |
| Nigella | 1-3 |
| Pansy | 1-2 |
| Penstemon | 2 |
| Petunia (Unpelleted) | 5 |
| Phlox | 1-3 |
| Poppy | 2-4 |
| Portulaca | 3 |
| Salpiglossis | 3-5 |
| Salvia | 1-3 |
| Saponaria | 2-5 |
| Scabiosa | 3 |
| Snapdragon | 3-5 |
| Statice | 2 |
| Stock | 3 |
| Strawflower | 1-2 |
| Sunflowers | 3-5 |
| Sweet Pea | 3-5 |
| Tithonia | 2 |
| Verbena | 1-5 |
| Viola | 1-2 |
| Zinnia | 2-5 |
Other Articles
Some places you read about for years, study from afar, and hope that someday you’ll have the opportunity to experience it. Polyface Farm is one of those places.
I sat in on a lot of talks. The speakers knew their stuff. They were well-spoken and had solid info to share. But if I’m being honest, nothing really felt new. That surprised me. Then I realized why.
Several years ago, while scrolling through Pinterest, I came across a photo of the prettiest bright pink vinegar I’d ever seen. It was made with chive blossoms, and I remember thinking, “I have chives…I wonder if I could do that?”