Several years ago, I shared a post about my six favorite seed companies, and it feels like the perfect time to refresh that list for 2026. The original six are still fantastic, and I’d happily recommend them today for all the same reasons. But as I’ve continued experimenting, growing, and ordering from new places over the years, a few other companies have really stood out. I’m excited to share those favorites with you too.
I found Park Seed almost by accident, but it didn’t take long for them to earn a permanent spot on my must-order-from list — and for one simple reason. Over the last five or so years, I’ve been just as focused on growing beautiful things as I have on growing food, and let’s be honest: buying flowers from big-box stores gets expensive fast, especially when you need a lot of them. So I put my seed-starting skills to work and started saving serious money by growing my own flowers from Park Seed.
Don’t get me wrong — they also have a great selection of vegetable and herb seeds. But what really sets them apart for me is their impressive selection of perennial seeds. I’ve found very few seed companies that offer that kind of variety, and for that reason alone, Park Seed absolutely earns its place on this list.
Maybe all I really need to say about Botanical Interests is Sugar Magnolia snap pea. Okay… maybe not all I need to say — but that was definitely the seed that started it all for me. I watched someone grow them and instantly knew they had to be in my garden. That one variety turned into a full-blown love affair with Botanical Interests.
Their seeds have consistently great germination, they offer a solid range of varieties, and their seed packets are packed with helpful information (which I always appreciate). On top of that, they have a fantastic YouTube channel where you can learn a lot about gardening, whether you’re just starting out or looking to go a little deeper. All around, they’re a company I’ve come to trust and enjoy growing with.
Area Specific Seed Companies
One thing I’ve learned over the years is how important it is to choose seed companies that truly understand your growing region. What works beautifully in one climate doesn’t always translate well to another. In the Midwest and northern areas, MIGardener is an absolute must. They are on my original list of favorites and I still shop with them as a primary source. Price and quality are so important to them. If you’re gardening in Southern California, San Diego Seed Company is a go-to. And for me, gardening in Florida, I’m lucky to have two fantastic options that really get our climate: Hoss Tools and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.
This is my go-to source for so many of my vegetable crops because their varieties have proven to be consistently reliable for both my growing conditions and my taste buds. An order from Hoss Tools is never complete without Obsession sweet corn and Vidora onion seeds — they’re absolute staples in my garden. While Hoss may not have the largest seed catalog out there, what they do have more than makes up for it: ridiculously good germination rates and impressively fast shipping. That kind of reliability keeps me coming back season after season. And they have a YouTube channel and that’s always fun!
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
This one is a little harder for me to explain — and honestly, that’s part of the reason I love them. I’ve ordered from Southern Exposure Seed Exchange several times now, and the seeds themselves are excellent. With more than 800 varieties available, you’re almost guaranteed to find what you’re looking for… plus a few things you didn’t know you needed. They focus on varieties that perform well in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, which makes them an especially great fit for my garden. They also strongly encourage seed saving, something I’m actively learning more about and expanding into.
All of that would already be enough to recommend them — but there’s something extra here that I can’t quite put my finger on. There’s a feeling I get when I flip through their catalog. A sense of community. I don’t personally know the people behind the company, but somehow it feels like I belong. Like we’re all in this together. Gardening can feel lonely at times, and it’s comforting to feel connected to a larger group of people across the country doing the same work, season after season.
Take a look at Southern Exposure for yourself and see if you feel it too — then come back and tell me what you think it is.
This list definitely isn’t complete — honestly, it’s just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many wonderful seed companies out there, and I’m always discovering new favorites. If you have one you love, be sure to share it with us all. I’d love to hear about it!
