Every seed you buy from Botanist Seeds is backed by our germination guarantee. If more than 10% of your seeds fail to sprout, we replace your entire order — free.
We hand-select, test, and store every strain in our catalogue under controlled conditions, and we stand behind what leaves our facility. Genetics are living material, though, and even the best seed stock occasionally underperforms. When that happens, you shouldn’t be the one paying for it.
What the guarantee covers
If more than 10% of the seeds in your order fail to germinate, we replace the whole order at no charge — not just the seeds that failed. No replacement fee, no restocking charge, and no cost for shipping the new seeds to you.
Here’s how that works out across our common pack sizes:
| Pack size | Failed seeds needed to qualify | What you receive |
|---|---|---|
| 3 seeds | 1 (33%) | 3 replacement seeds |
| 5 seeds | 1 (20%) | 5 replacement seeds |
| 10 seeds | 2 (20%) | 10 replacement seeds |
| 25 seeds | 3 (12%) | 25 replacement seeds |
A single failed seed in a 10-pack works out to exactly 10%, which sits just under the threshold. Two failures clear it, and the full ten are replaced.
How our germination guarantee works
To keep your order covered, we ask for three simple things:
- Follow a standard germination method. The paper towel method, direct-to-medium planting, or a starter plug are all fine. Our germination guide walks through each one.
- Submit your claim within 30 days of delivery. This gives you time to germinate at your own pace while keeping the seeds fresh.
- Send us a photo of the failed seeds. A clear picture of the ungerminated seeds alongside your order number is all the documentation we need.
Once we receive your claim, our team reviews it within 2 business days and ships your replacements on the next dispatch.
Examples of covered claims
Example 1 — Seeds that never crack
You order 10 feminized Blue Dream seeds and place all 10 between damp paper towels in a dark cupboard at room temperature. After six days, seven seeds have split and pushed out a taproot. Three remain hard and closed with no visible activity. That’s a 30% failure rate, well over the 10% threshold, so you photograph the three unsprouted seeds and submit a claim. We send you a full replacement pack of 10 Blue Dream seeds, free of charge.
Example 2 — Seeds that crack but never surface
You order 5 autoflower Northern Lights seeds and plant them straight into starter plugs under a humidity dome. All five crack, but only two break the surface and produce a seedling. The other three stall after the taproot emerges and never develop. Because they failed to establish as viable seedlings, that’s a 60% failure rate and your order qualifies. You send a photo of the plugs and the failed seeds, and all 5 seeds are replaced at no cost to you.
What isn't covered
The guarantee applies to germination failure, not to grow outcomes. We can’t replace seeds for:
- Plants lost after successful germination to pests, nutrient burn, heat, light stress, over- or under-watering, or other environmental issues
- Claims submitted more than 30 days after delivery
- Seeds stored in direct sunlight, high heat, or high humidity before germination
- Orders where more than 90% of the seeds are reported as failed without a review by our team
Making a claim
Submit your claim through your account dashboard. Log in, go to My Account, and open the germination claim form. You’ll need your order number, the strain name, the number of seeds that failed, and a photo of the seeds.
Can’t access the form? Email contactus@botanistseeds.com with the same details — order number, strain name, how many seeds failed, and a photo — and we’ll process the claim manually.
If anything about your germination is unclear, reach out before you write the seeds off. Our team can often tell from a photo whether a seed is still viable.
Questions about the guarantee? Contact us — we’re here to help you get growing.
Common Questions About Germination Guarantee
Do I have to pay anything for replacement seeds?
No. Replacements are completely free, including delivery. You won’t be asked for a restocking fee, a handling charge, or a partial payment toward the new pack.
What counts as a failed seed?
A seed that doesn’t crack and produce a taproot using a standard germination method, or one that cracks but never establishes as a seedling. Both are covered.
My plants died a few weeks after sprouting. Are those covered?
Not under this guarantee. Once a seed germinates and produces a healthy seedling, it’s done its job. Losses after that point usually come down to environment — light, heat, nutrients, watering, or pests — and those fall outside the policy. Our grow guides can help you troubleshoot.
Can I choose a different strain for my replacements?
We replace like for like by default, since that’s what you paid for. If the original strain is out of stock, our team will offer you a comparable alternative or a credit toward a future order.
How long do replacements take to arrive?
Claims are reviewed within 2 business days. Once approved, your replacement seeds ship on the next dispatch and arrive in the same timeframe as a standard order.
Does the guarantee apply to every strain you sell?
Yes — feminized, autoflower, and regular seeds are all covered on the same terms.
