How to Identify Top Quality Seeds
By Original Sensible Seeds
If you’re serious about growing cannabis, then choosing top-quality seeds is non-negotiable. Your harvest depends on it. Whether you’re cultivating a few plants for personal use or scaling up your grow room, starting with the right genetics sets the stage for everything else: health, potency, flavour, yield, and resilience.
At Original Sensible Seeds, we’ve seen firsthand how choosing quality seeds can mean the difference between a thriving garden and a disappointing flop. In this guide, we’re laying out the top ten tips to help you identify top-tier cannabis seeds—and avoid wasting time, money, and effort on the wrong ones.
Top 10 Tips for Identifying Top Quality Cannabis Seeds
1. Look for a Hard Shell
Top-quality seeds have a hard, protective outer shell that feels smooth and solid to the touch. If it’s soft or easily crushed between your fingers, it’s immature or poorly developed.
2. Check for Dark Colouring with Tiger Stripes or Marbling
Healthy seeds often appear dark brown, grey, or even black, with patterns resembling tiger stripes or natural marbling. Pale, green, or white seeds are usually underdeveloped and unlikely to germinate.
3. Perform the Float Test (Optional)
Drop seeds in a glass of water. Good seeds typically sink within an hour, while immature seeds may float. (Note: only use this test if you plan to germinate immediately, as soaking activates the seed.)
4. Size and Symmetry Matter
High-quality seeds are usually medium to large in size and symmetrical in shape. Misshapen seeds can still grow, but consistently odd shapes may indicate poor genetics or development.
5. Buy from a Reputable Breeder or Seed Bank
The #1 way to guarantee quality is to source your seeds from a trusted name like Original Sensible Seeds. Reputable breeders provide genetic stability, strain-specific traits, and high germination rates.
6. Check for Freshness
Old seeds lose viability over time. If seeds have been stored incorrectly or are several years old, germination rates can plummet. Look for packaging or storage info to ensure freshness.
7. Look for Feminised or Autoflower Labels (if that’s your goal)
If you’re after a hassle-free grow, feminised and autoflower seeds are key. Top-quality seeds are clearly labelled and matched to the grower’s needs—whether that’s full control with regulars or fast cycles with autos.
8. Research Strain Reviews and Genetics
Quality isn’t just about appearance—it’s about performance. A well-reviewed strain with proven, stable genetics will outperform mystery seeds every time.
9. Inspect Packaging and Seals
Genuine seeds from professional breeders come in tamper-proof packaging, often with QR codes, holograms, or serial numbers. If it looks cheap or shady—it probably is.
10. Trust Your Gut (and Do Your Homework)
If something feels off, it usually is. Trust your instincts, read reviews, and stick with breeders who are transparent about their processes and seed quality.
Why Quality Matters
Using top-quality seeds isn’t just about growing plants—it’s about unlocking the full potential of the strain:
✅ Maximum THC/CBD levels
✅ Rich terpene profiles
✅ Predictable phenotypes
✅ Resistance to pests and disease
✅ Reliable yields
Poor seeds? You might face hermies, weak growth, stunted flowering, or a waste of time and money. Quality seeds are the foundation of your grow.
Final Thoughts
Investing in top-quality cannabis seeds is the first and most important step in your grow journey. At Original Sensible Seeds, we’ve spent decades curating some of the world’s best genetics—so you don’t have to guess.
Start strong. Grow smart. Go Original.