Seeds for a Bible Garden

Important Note: Most of the seeds on this page will benefit greatly from using the CAPE Smoke Seed Germination Primer that we use in our own greenhouses. We find we receive significantly better germination results when we use this primer on these types of seeds.

At the request of many of our customers, we have created a list of seeds for plants that are listed in the Bible. We have only listed seeds for plants that will do well in a wide variety of climates and conditions, if there is a plant mentioned in the Bible that is not listed here, it is probably because the plants will only grow well in a certain region, or because seeds for these plants are not commercially available.

BG04 Christ Thorn ( Paliurus Spina-Christi )
Believed to be the plant from which Christ's crown of thorns was made from. Christ's thorn is a spreading, spiny shrub that can grow into a small tree up to 20 ft. tall. Needs well drained soil and full sun. Can be container grown in tubs in North.

  Package of 10 seeds, $2.50

BG01 Common Grapevine ( Woodland Grape ,Vitis spec. )
The grapevine is mentioned often in the bible ( Isa. 5:7 ), ( Isa. 27:2,3, 6), ( Jer. 48:11 ), (Zeph. 1:12 ), ( Matt. 9:17 ) and in other verses. We are not sure of the botanical variety of grape that described in wine making and vineyards in the bible. But as almost all grapevines look alike, we settled on a wild form of grape that is found wild in many parts of the US and has a tart, delicious flavor. These plants are hardy to zone 5, possibly to zone 4. Note: These seeds are difficult to germinate, and are sold "as is" no germination guarantee is applied to these seeds. We offer fresh seeds each season, but find them difficult to germinate ourselves. Cannot ship to OH

  Package of 20 seeds $2.50

Photo and cultural info courtesy of Floridata.com

D7866 Cedar of Lebanon ( Cedrus libani )
A mature cedar of Lebanon is a stately and picturesque evergreen conifer. It has a massive (sometimes forked) trunk, very wide-spreading horizontal branches (the lower ones often kissing the ground), and a crown of flat tiers, like table tops.
Although it can get more than 100' tall with an equal spread from its strong limbs, most specimens in cultivation can be expected to top out around 50-70'. In youth the tree is conical and symmetrical. The leaves, about an inch long, are stiff and 4-angled, and arranged in dense clusters on short shoots. The cones are barrel shaped, 3-5" long and held erect, a characteristic of the true cedars (genus Cedrus).
Cedar of Lebanon is very similar to (and very closely related to) Atlas cedar (C. atlantica), and some authorities consider them to be just subspecies in the same species. Michael Dirr, the famous authority on landscape trees from the University of Georgia, says Atlas cedar has a taller, less flattened crown, less densely arranged branchlets, and smaller cones (2-3" long) than cedar of Lebanon.

Location: Cedar of Lebanon is named for the famous forests that grow in Lebanon. The species also occurs in Turkey and Syria. Var. stenocoma is native to southern Turkey.
Culture: The cedars grow well in acidic sands and in thin soils over limestone; pH doesn't matter. Good drainage is essential, however. Cedar of Lebanon has a tendency to produce multiple leaders and the grower may wish to prune out the weaker shoots; do this in autumn. These are slow growing trees.
Light: Young trees can grow in partial shade but will eventually need full sun to realize their potential.
Moisture: Cedar of Lebanon occurs naturally where there is very little summer rainfall, and is quite tolerant of drought. It can thrive where annual precipitation is no more than 15", but it also does well where 80" of annual precipitation is the norm.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 6 - 9.
Usage: The cedars make majestic specimen trees for parks, estates and larger lawns. A mature cedar of Lebanon, especially one with multiple leaders, will be as wide as it is tall, and a truly picturesque specimen.
Features: The taxonomy of the genus Cedrus is debated by the botanists. Depending on who you believe, you can recognize one, two or four species. The splitters recognize Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia), cedar of Lebanon, deodar cedar (C. deodar), and Atlas cedar.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95

D2228 Common Olive ( Olea europaea )
The olive branch is mentioned several times in the Bible ( Ps. 52:8 ), ( Zech. 4:3 ), ( Deut. 33:24 ), ( Job 29:6 ) and ( Job15:33 ) A most useful tree that can be grown in any temperate climate. It also can be grown in containers. The tree itself is attractive and usually becomes gnarled with age. It bears the olive of commerce that reach up to 1½" in dia. and are filled with oil. The flowers are tiny and yellow, the foliage a light grey-green.

  Package of 5 seeds $2.50

P35 Edible Date Palm ( phoenix dactylifera )
The edible date palm was a prominent plant in biblical times. It was the largest native tree in Egypt as no forest or timber trees grew in the rainless regions. It was a very valuable source of food and provided welcome shade for travelers. References to the palm can be found in ( Lev. 23:40 ), ( Exodus 15:27 ) and ( I Kings 6:29 ).
This palm is grown commercially throughout the Middle East for its delicious and abundant fruit. It can be easily grown indoors. Outside, it will grow to a height of 80 ft. with a 12" trunk that is coverer with attractive leaf scars. The leaves are feather shaped with a beautiful gray-green coloration. It is a fast grower. Everyone should have one of these plants.

  Package of 10 seeds $2.25

B1728 Russian Olive ( Elaeagnus Angustifolia )
This is considered to be the oil tree mentioned in the bible ( Isa. 41:19, 20 ) and was known as wild olive in ancient times. It's hard, fine grained wood was much used for wood carving. Although its fruits are used in drinks and to make preserves, it is more sought after for its white shoots and silver undersides of leaves. Trains well.

  Package of 5 seeds $1.95

HR310 Anise ( Pimpinella anisum )
Mentioned in Matt.23:23. Leaves and seeds used to flavor licorice. Delicious in salads. Seeds often used in applesauce, cakes, breads, soups and stews.

  Package of 50-100 seeds $1.75

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A note from one of our customers:

Hi, I got your order today. In a World that only complains, I thought I would send a quick note to say Great Job!!! I was very pleased with they way they where Clearly Marked & Packaged!!!!!  And thank you for the plant markers. I will recommend your company to everyone I know, and you will be hearing from me for all future seed purchases They are going in soil tomorrow. Thanks Again   David A.

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HR420 Coriander ( Chinese Parsley )
Mentioned in Exo.16:31 and Numb. 11:7. Dried powdered seeds used to season pickles and meat.

  Package of 50 seeds $1.75

HR440 Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum )
Mentioned in Isa. 28:24-29. Seeds are dried, crushed and used in Mexican dishes for its hot, pungent flavor.

  Package of 100 seeds $1.75

HR145 Hyssop ( Hyssopus officinalis )
Mentioned in Ex. 12:22. Similar to mint flavor, use small amount in salads and other dishes.

  Package of 50 or more seeds $1.75

H470 Black Mustard ( Brassica nigra )
In the bible, the Kingdom of God is compared to a mustard seed, one of the smallest of seeds, which cast into the garden grows into a tree ( actually a large plant ) which shelters the birds seeking rest. Hot, spicy seeds are also used in Indian dishes or crushed to make mustard. Cannot ship to IA

  Package of 100+ seeds $1.75

HR187 Rue ( Ruta graveolens )
One of the plants mentioned by Jesus in his rebuke of the Pharisees. Much used in salads and as flavoring in cheese dishes.

  Package of 50 seeds $1.75

RHC495 Soft Rush Juncus effusus
Clumping, mostly vertical, mid green turning brown, accent near water, rich moist soil in part shade, grows 18" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  Package of 100 seeds $3.50

RHC496 Reed Grass Phragmites australis
Stiff upright gray-green canes, large inflorescence tan to bronze to silver, wet soil, sun/shade, grows 48" tall, hardy to zone 4.

  Package of 100 seeds $3.50

IM029 Slim Stem ReedCalamagrostis stricta
Slim Stem Reed, fuzzy brown bloom turns bronze, erect spikes, grows about 36" tall.

  Package of 25 seeds $2.25

H225 Stinging Nettle ( Urtica unens )
Considered to be one of the nettles listed in the bible. A perennial plant found growing wild all over the world. Grows from 2-7 ft. tall. The bristly hairs of the plant act as a hypodermic, injecting an irritant substance under the skin when touched. A decoction of the root makes an external treatment that when applied to the scalp is said to treat baldness. A decoction of the plant is good for diarrhea. Dwarf Nettle is said to be helpful for rheumatic problems and colds.

  Package of 15 seeds $1.95

D8565 Bitter Gourd, Wild Gourd. ( Citrullus colocynthis )

Hebrew: pakknoth-sadeh
The Hebrew word for this wild gourd means "to burst." This is in reference to its tendency to break open when ripe. In II Kings 4 Elisha explained to the sons of the prophets that meal placed in the pot would counteract the bitterness of this wild gourd. The plant resembles a cucumber and has a well-cut palmate and vinelike leaf that grows on a running stem along the ground. The fruit is firm and round and varies in colors that range from clear yellow to bright orange with green markings. When ripe, the fruit dries and its pulp becomes a powder that is used as a bitter medicine and drastic purgative. This powder was collected by Arabs and used as kindling.

In I Kings 7:24 there is recorded a description of a basin in Solomon's temple with the colocynth, carved in cedar wood, and used as ornamentation. "And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it..." The gourd is known as the "globe cucumber." Another name given this gourd is the "prophet's cucumber" from its biblical connotation.

2 Kings 4:38-40 (KJV) And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets. .... And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not. .... So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

  Package of 4 seeds $1.95

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