Frequently Asked Questions

Seedsticks are seeds held neatly in biodegradable sticks. Instead of handling loose seed, you tear off one stick and plant it directly into compost or soil. The stick helps you position the seed, then softens as you water it so the seed can germinate.

Each product tells you which seed variety or varieties are included. Some products contain only Seedsticks; growing kits may also include items such as a pot or growing medium, so check the “what’s included” information on the product page.

Loose seed can be tiny, easy to spill and difficult to space. With Seedsticks, seeds are divided into individual plantable sticks, making it easier to sow a manageable amount in the intended place. The printed formats also turn practical seeds into a gift that can carry a theme, message or name.

They do not remove the natural variables involved in growing: seeds still need the right moisture, temperature, depth, light and time for their variety.

No gardening experience is needed. At minimum you will need a suitable pot or growing space, fresh compost or soil, water and an appropriate position for the variety. If those items are included in a kit, the product page will say so.

Good first-time habit: keep the pack until the seedlings are established. It contains the variety-specific instructions and makes it easier for us to help if you have a question.

They are simple to handle and can be a lovely introduction to growing. We recommend adult supervision, especially with young children, and washing hands after handling soil or compost. Follow any warnings on the individual product. Seeds are for planting and should not be eaten.

Aim for evenly moist soil—similar to a wrung-out sponge—not saturated compost or standing water. Check regularly because small pots and warm windowsills can dry quickly. Use a gentle pour or fine spray so you do not expose or dislodge the seed.

Overwatering can reduce the air available to the seed and encourage rot; letting the top layer dry completely can interrupt germination.

That depends on the variety, season and local conditions. Herbs and some compact plants can suit a bright windowsill; many flowers and vegetables ultimately perform best outdoors. Follow the product instructions for sowing time and position, and protect young seedlings from frost, strong wind and sudden temperature changes.

Yes, if the pot is large enough for the mature plants. Leave space between sticks rather than clustering them in one spot. If several seedlings become crowded, move or thin them once they are sturdy enough, following the variety guidance. For a small pot, starting with fewer sticks is usually easier to manage.

Many current products give an expected range of approximately 10–21 days, but some varieties can be faster or slower. Temperature, moisture, sowing depth, seed variety and the time of year all affect the result. Use the timing on your pack or product page as the best guide and count from the day you planted.

Give them good light, continue gentle watering and avoid sudden extremes of heat or cold. Turn indoor pots occasionally if seedlings lean strongly towards the window. If plants become crowded, thin or transplant them when they are large enough to handle. The final pot size, outdoor planting time and feeding needs depend on the variety.

1. Timing: compare the number of days since planting with the range on the pack. Cooler conditions can slow germination.
2. Moisture: the soil should have stayed gently moist, without drying out or becoming waterlogged.
3. Depth: check that the seeded end was planted to the printed line, rather than left exposed or pushed too deep.
4. Temperature: move the pot away from cold draughts, radiators and large day-to-night temperature swings.
5. Light and season: confirm that the position and sowing time suit the variety.

If you are beyond the expected period and the conditions look right, email us a photo of the pack, the planted pot or area, and your order number if available. Tell us when you planted and whether it has been indoors or outdoors.

Gently press it back to the marked depth and settle the soil around it without compacting it hard. Water with a fine spray or slow pour. A forceful stream can wash soil away and expose the seed.

They may be stretching for more light. Move them gradually to a brighter suitable position and rotate the pot so growth is more even. Avoid placing delicate seedlings immediately against very hot glass or in harsh midday sun. If they are crowded, thinning can also improve airflow and strength.

Very wet compost, poor airflow, crowding or cold conditions can weaken new seedlings. Remove badly affected growth, allow excess water to drain and keep the remaining seedlings in a bright, stable position. Water the soil rather than soaking the stems and leaves.

Yes. Use fresh compost, a clean pot with drainage and the variety-specific timing on the pack. Change the condition most likely to have caused the first problem—such as depth, moisture, warmth or light—then keep brief notes so you can compare the result.

• For a beginner: choose a self-contained grow kit or a product with straightforward varieties and clear planting instructions.
• For a windowsill: look for compact herbs or products specifically described as suitable for indoor growing.
• For an established gardener: choose by seed variety, planting season or a garden theme they will enjoy.
• For a keepsake-style gift: explore gift bars and personalised designs.
• For children: choose an age-appropriate product and plan to grow it together with adult supervision.

Browse the Gifts, Gardeners, Stationery and Personalised ranges. The product page confirms the seed mix, contents and any variety-specific guidance.

Not always. The right planting time depends on the seed variety and whether it will be started indoors or outdoors. Seedsticks can still be given outside the sowing season: ask the recipient to store them in a cool, dry, dark place and follow the timing printed on the pack.

No. Some products are Seedsticks-only, while selected grow kits include additional growing components. Check the “what’s included” section on the individual product page so you know whether the recipient will need a pot and compost.

Keep them sealed in their original packaging in a cool, dry and dark place, away from moisture, strong sunlight and temperature extremes. Seed viability naturally reduces over time, so use the product information or date shown on the pack and plant within the recommended period.

Personalisation is available only on products that show a name field and preview on the product page. Selected gift bars currently accept a name of up to 10 characters. If no personalisation option appears, that design is supplied as shown.

Enter the name on the product page and review the on-screen preview before adding it to your basket. Check spelling, capitalisation and character count carefully. The preview shows how your chosen text will be positioned; very wide letters and different names can produce slightly different visual spacing.

Personalisation costs £5 per eligible product in addition to the product price. It appears in the basket as a separate personalisation add-on, so you can confirm it before checkout.

Because personalised and custom products are made specifically for you, they cannot normally be returned for a change of mind. Contact us immediately if you spot an error after ordering; we will help if production has not begun, but a change cannot be guaranteed. If an item arrives damaged, faulty or different from what you ordered, contact us so we can put it right.

We currently deliver within the United Kingdom only. Enter your delivery address at checkout to see the options available for that order.

Standard UK delivery is £4.99 and is free when your order reaches £25. Express delivery is £6.99. Available services and current estimates are shown at checkout before payment.

Use the estimate shown at checkout for the most current guidance. Delivery dates are estimates rather than guarantees and can be affected by carrier capacity, bank holidays, weather and the delivery address. Personalised or bespoke items may also require production time.

If an order is overdue, contact us with your order number and confirm the delivery postcode so we can investigate.

Contact us as soon as possible with your order number, a description of the problem and clear photographs of the item and packaging where relevant. Keep the packaging until we have replied. We will assess the issue and arrange the appropriate replacement or resolution.

Unused, non-personalised items can normally be returned within 30 days of receipt when they are in their original condition and packaging. Contact us before sending anything back so we can provide the correct return instructions. Personalised products have different change-of-mind rights because they are made to order.

Read the full Returns Policy for conditions, exclusions and next steps.

Seedsticks have been made in Britain since 1988. They are manufactured and assembled at our British site using our custom-built machinery. Seedsticks is a Made in Britain member and operates under seed licence number 1235.

Our current accreditations include Sedex membership, an EcoVadis Bronze sustainability rating, Living Wage Employer accreditation and Made in Britain membership. You can learn more on our About Us page.

The planted sticks are biodegradable and our board is made from recycled material. Packaging and kit components can vary, so follow any material-specific instructions on the product and recycle the outer packaging where your local facilities accept it. Do not put an unidentified component into home compost solely because the Seedsticks themselves are biodegradable.

Yes. Retailers can explore our Wholesale range and Faire-backed catalogue. When contacting us about a larger order, include your business name, delivery country, products of interest, approximate quantity and required date so we can respond usefully.

Yes. We support event teams, corporate gifting and bespoke seeded campaigns, subject to quantity, artwork, production requirements and lead time. Send us the intended use, quantity, delivery date, artwork status and budget range through the Contact page. The more complete the brief, the faster we can advise on a suitable route.