Female Seed Guarantee
Every feminized and autoflower seed we sell is bred and selected to produce a female, bud-producing plant. Up to 99.9% of them do.
That last fraction of a percent is why this guarantee exists. Cannabis genetics are living things, and no seed bank on earth can promise a perfect run every single time. So if one of our seeds gives you a male plant or turns hermaphrodite, you’re not on the hook – we will do everything within our power to make it right for you.
What the guarantee covers
If a plant grown from a Botanist Seeds feminized or autoflowering seed turns out to be male or hermaphrodite, you’re entitled to a free remedy. No arguing, no hoops.
You choose one of the following:
- Free replacement seeds — the same strain where available, or a strain of equal value if it’s sold out. We cover the shipping.
- Store credit — the full value of the affected seeds, applied to your account for any future order.
The guarantee applies to every feminized and autoflower strain in our catalogue. Regular (non-feminized) seeds are excluded, because those are sold as a mix of male and female plants by design.
How to make a claim
We keep this simple. You don’t need photographs, lab reports, or a written statement.
- Email contactus@botanistseeds.com or call 1 888 826 7849.
- Give us your order number and the strain name.
- Tell us how many seeds were affected.
That’s it. We’ll confirm your claim and get your replacement seeds or credit sorted, usually within one business day.
The 90-day window
Claims must be made within 90 days of your order being delivered. That gives you time to germinate, veg, and sex your plants without rushing — most growers can identify pre-flowers within four to six weeks of sprouting.
Botanist Seeds reserves the right to reject any claim submitted after the 90-day window has closed. The longer a seed sits in storage, the more the outcome depends on how it was kept rather than how it was bred, and we can’t stand behind results indefinitely.
If you’re planning to hold seeds for a later season, get in touch before the 90 days are up and we’ll tell you what we can and can’t cover. We’d always rather sort it out in advance than turn down a claim later.
A note on honesty
We don’t ask for proof because we’d rather trust our customers than police them. In return, we ask that you only file a claim for a plant that genuinely showed male or hermaphrodite traits.
Some things that look like a guarantee issue usually aren’t:
- Heat stress, light leaks, or interrupted dark cycles can push a genetically female plant to produce pollen sacs late in flower. That’s a grow-room condition, not a seed defect — though we’re happy to talk it through with you and help you diagnose it.
- Slow or uneven growth isn’t a sex issue. Reach out anyway; we’ll help.
If you’re not sure what you’re looking at, contact us before you cull the plant. We’ve seen a lot of pre-flowers and we’re glad to help you identify one.
Questions About Hermaphrodites
What is a hermaphrodite cannabis plant?
A hermaphrodite — or “hermie” — is a cannabis plant that develops both female flowers and male pollen sacs. Instead of putting all its energy into resinous buds, the plant also produces pollen, which can self-pollinate the plant and pollinate everything else in your grow space.
How do I know if my plant is a hermaphrodite?
Look at the nodes, where branches meet the main stem. Female plants show teardrop-shaped calyxes with two white hairs (pistils). Male pollen sacs look like small, smooth green balls hanging in clusters, with no hairs. A hermie shows both, often on different parts of the same plant. There’s also a milder form called a “nanner” — a small yellow banana-shaped stamen that pokes out from inside a bud.
Why do hermaphrodites happen at all?
Two reasons. A very small number of plants carry a genetic predisposition to it — that’s the fraction of a percent our guarantee covers. Far more commonly, it’s caused by stress: heat spikes, light leaks during the dark period, severe over- or under-watering, physical damage, nutrient problems, or leaving a plant to flower well past harvest window.
Can feminized seeds still turn hermaphrodite?
Yes, though it’s uncommon. Feminized seeds are produced by inducing a female plant to make pollen, so the resulting seeds carry only female chromosomes. That reliably produces female plants — but no breeding method removes a plant’s ability to respond to stress by producing pollen. Good genetics lower the odds; a stable grow environment lowers them further.
Will one hermie ruin my whole grow?
Yes, though it’s uncommon. Feminized seeds are produced by inducing a female plant to make pollen, so the resulting seeds carry only female chromosomes. That reliably produces female plants — but no breeding method removes a plant’s ability to respond to stress by producing pollen. Good genetics lower the odds; a stable grow environment lowers them further.
Can feminized seeds still turn hermaphrodite?
It can, if you don’t catch it. A single mature pollen sac releases enough pollen to seed multiple plants. Check your plants at least every few days once flowering starts, especially around weeks three to five.
How can I prevent hermaphrodites in the first place?
Keep the dark period genuinely dark — no timer glitches, no green LEDs, no cracked tent zippers. Hold temperatures steady and avoid heat spikes above 85°F (29°C). Feed consistently, avoid heavy defoliation or breakage during flower, and harvest on schedule. Stable conditions are the single biggest factor within your control.
