Seed Banks

Seed banks are repositories—both institutional and private—that preserve cannabis genetics through storage of viable seeds. Unlike terpenes or morphological traits, seed banks function as infrastructure for genetic preservation rather than a chemical or sensory characteristic. Breeders and researchers rely on seed banks to maintain genetic diversity, archive rare lineages, and provide access to documented parent materials for breeding programs. The term encompasses everything from formal seed collections maintained by universities and government agencies to private collections curated by breeders and enthusiasts. Proper seed storage—typically at low temperature and controlled humidity—ensures viability across years or decades, making seed banks critical to cannabis breeding continuity and historical documentation.

Breeders consult established seed banks to source foundational genetics, verify lineage claims, and access genetic material unavailable in current commercial cultivation. Seed bank preservation practices directly impact a breeder's ability to work with authentic parent strains and maintain detailed breeding records across generations.