Seed list (Index Seminum)

Since 1804, the Hortus Botanicus Amsterdam issues a seed list or index seminum. Seeds are exchanged with over 400 botanic gardens and institutes worldwide, for research and public service. Our seeds are collected in garden and greenhouses, or in the wild. A special feature of our seed list is in situ collected material of the Amsterdam urban environment (native or naturalised) and of the coastal zones of Holland.

Seed exchange is open to non-profit gardens or institutes after having registered with the curator. Orders may be placed from publication of the seed list in December or January, until march 15th.

Please note that international regulations preclude private individuals from ordering seeds at the Botanic Garden. For peculiarities and indigenous species we refer to specialised growers or retailers.

Convention on Biological Diversity

In response to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Hortus supplies seeds and other plant material in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Botanic Gardens and similar collections. We are IPEN-member (International Plant Exchange Network) and can freely exchange material with other IPEN-members. Non IPEN-members have to return a completed and authorised agreement on the supply of living plant material for non-commercial purposes leaving the IPEN.