Seed banking is an effective and economical way to preserve species that are rapidly becoming extinct in the wild. Your adoption not only saves these plants but also supports Kew's cutting-edge global biodiversity research, which is key to mitigating climate change and saving our planet. Your support makes a difference.
Be part of the world's most important conservation project by adopting a seed today. Choose a seed for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. We'll email the Certificate of Adoption to you or directly to your recipient, making it a perfect option for a last-minute gift.
By adopting a seed, you are making a £25 donation to directly support the work of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Millennium Seed Bank?
The Millennium Seed Bank is the world’s largest wild plant seed bank where we collect, conserve, research and share wild seeds from around the globe, to stop extinction and rebuild and restore ecosystems.
Nestled at Wakehurst, in the heart of Sussex, it’s home to over 2.5 billion seeds, representing over 40,000 different species of the world’s storable seeds. The Millennium Seed Bank is the most diverse wild plant species genetic resource on Earth – storing and conserving seeds from common, rare or endangered useful plants.
The seeds are largely collected by global partners as part of the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership, as well as during field work led by Kew scientists.
The Millennium Seed Bank is flood, bomb and radiation proof, with deep freeze chambers to store seeds at -20°C.
Why is it important to bank seeds?
Seed banking is an effective and economical way to preserve species that are rapidly becoming extinct in the wild. With an estimated 45% of flowering plant species at risk of extinction, it’s a race against time to protect our incredible plant life.
By storing seeds ex situ (away from their natural habitat) and supporting seed banks in countries around the globe, we are giving a safe home to some of the world’s most threatened plants.
It means that we can research the best ways to germinate these seeds, sharing our knowledge to help others to reintroduce plants back into the wild or use them for scientific research finding future foods or medicines.
What is the process of seed banking?
Seeds are collected from all over the world, with over 90% sourced from wild plant populations. They are then sent to the Millennium Seed Bank, where our scientists check and dry the seeds to about 4-6% moisture content. Damaged and empty seeds are removed, and the remaining seeds are thoroughly cleaned and x-rayed to ensure they are completely free of debris. The seeds are then stored in deep-freeze chambers at temperatures between -18 and -20 degrees Celsius. In the future, the seeds can be germinated and reintroduced to the wild or used in scientific research.
How will my adoption help?
By adopting a seed, you are making a £25 donation to directly support the work of the Millennium Seed Bank, joining Kew’s mission to provide a safe home to some of the world's most threatened plants. Your donation will support the work of Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank overall, rather than the conservation of the specific seed you have chosen.
You donation will help save plants and support Kew's cutting-edge global biodiversity research, which is key to mitigating climate change and saving our planet. Your support makes a difference.
What will I receive when I’m adopting a seed?
You will receive a Certificate of Adoption, delivered digitally. You will be able to download your Certificate from your Kew webshop account, and it will also be emailed to you, or to your chosen recipient if you’re adopting a seed as a gift. Please note that we do not send out any actual seeds.
They are all safely stored for conservation and research. However, you can visit Kew's Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst to learn more about the world’s most important conservation project.
How do I donate to Adopt a seed?
Choose a seed and complete the form with your name and email address. If you're adopting a seed as a gift, add the recipient's name and email address, as well as your message. You'll be able to download a Certificate of Adoption from the 'Order History' section under your Kew webshop account. A copy will also be emailed either to you or directly to your gift recipient, depending on the information you entered.
To make multiple adoptions of the same seed, please add the seeds to your basket one by one (filling in the name and email address details separately for each certificate).
If you have any questions about Adopt a seed or your certificate, please email us at donate@kew.org.
Why were these seeds selected for adoption?
The seeds you can adopt are examples of the Millennium Seed Bank’s collection of common, rare and endangered useful plants.
Can I use a discount code on my purchase?
When Adopting a seed, you are making a £25 donation to support the work of Kew's Millennium Seed Bank. As you are making a donation to Kew, discount codes are not applicable.
Kew is a charity and your donation will directly support our work to protect biodiversity loss and fight climate change. Thank you.
Is gift aid available?
We are unfortunately not able to offer Gift Aid on Adopt a seed donations at this time.
