Sourcing Demeter seed — suppliers, variety standards, quality criteria

Demeter seed stands for one of the most demanding seed qualities there is: open-pollinated varieties, multiplied biodynamically, free of hybrid breeding and chemical treatment, produced under the strict Demeter standards. Anyone working on a Demeter farm or in a seriously biodynamic home garden depends on good sources — and here you find a seed landscape that is small in economic terms but rich in method and biology.

What makes Demeter seed

Three characteristics set Demeter seed apart from conventional or even organic seed:

Open-pollinated varieties. Demeter seed is not based on hybrid breeding (F1 varieties) but on varieties that keep their characteristics when multiplied. This is a deliberate decision against the hybrid industrialisation of seed — and at the same time the precondition for farms being able to multiply seed themselves.

Biodynamically multiplied. Multiplication takes place on Demeter-certified farms, with the biodynamic preparations and under the application rules of the Demeter standards. This raises the quality compared with "just organic" seed, where the standards are lower.

Demeter certification by the association. Every seed batch is checked and released within the Demeter system. Association membership and mandatory audits stand behind the logo.

For more on the Demeter logic, see Demeter certification and Demeter.

The main suppliers in the German-speaking countries

Bingenheimer Saatgut AG (Hesse)

The largest Demeter seed house in the German-speaking countries. Around 500 varieties in the range, of which around 180 are in genuine Demeter quality and the rest under organic standard. Its own breeding department focuses on open-pollinated vegetable varieties. Supplies both professional and home-garden customers. Website: bingenheimer-saatgut.de.

Strengths: wide range, high availability, established quality control, good variety descriptions. Professional lane: the first port of call for Demeter farms and market gardens.

Sativa Rheinau (Switzerland)

Swiss Demeter seed breeder with its own breeding programme. Focus on vegetables, cereals and herbs, with particular attention to biodynamic multiplication. Website: sativa-rheinau.ch.

Strengths: high-quality in-house varieties, very good seed quality, a clear biodynamic line. Available in Germany through Bingenheimer and individual specialist retailers.

ReinSaat (Austria)

Austrian Demeter seed supplier with around 320 varieties. Focus on old and rare varieties, with a considerably broader range. Website: reinsaat.at.

Strengths: old varieties and rarities, good quality control, biodynamic multiplication. Ships to all German-speaking countries.

Dreschflegel (Germany)

A seed initiative from organic growing, with Demeter seed as part of its range. Focus on a diversity of open-pollinated varieties, with its own variety work. Website: dreschflegel-saatgut.de.

Strengths: wide diversity of varieties, an ecological line, a clear position against hybrid seed. Availability for the Demeter line somewhat more limited than at Bingenheimer.

Kultursaat e.V.

An association of biodynamic seed breeders. It holds a number of in-house varieties under the Kultursaat label. The seed is sold through Bingenheimer and a few direct relationships. Website: kultursaat.org.

Strengths: high-quality in-house varieties, a clear biodynamic line, connection to Demeter. Of interest to on-farm seed growers and market gardens.

Specialist suppliers

There are also smaller Demeter and biodynamic seed suppliers with specialised ranges — rare old tomatoes, regional landraces, maize and cereal varieties. For special needs (wild vegetables, regional varieties), it is worth researching individual farms and biodynamic initiatives.

What to look for when choosing

Choose the variety, not the brand. The right variety matters more than the supplier. A tomato variety that grows well in Bavaria may not work in Schleswig-Holstein. Take variety descriptions with site information seriously.

Genuine Demeter seed vs. organic seed. Some suppliers carry both Demeter seed and seed that is only organically certified. On a Demeter farm, Demeter seed should be the first choice; organic seed is the second choice only when certain varieties are not available in Demeter quality.

Freshness and germination. Seed has a use-by date. With the large suppliers, freshness is assured; when buying directly from a farm, check the date and storage.

Seed loyalty / on-farm multiplication. Anyone who grows the same variety regularly can often save their own seed — this is expressly encouraged in the Demeter system. A small seed bank on the farm saves costs and preserves the variety's identity for your own site.

What is required on a Demeter farm

The Demeter standards require the use of Demeter seed when it is available in the desired variety. Exceptions are possible but must be justified and documented. Seed sourcing is checked during the Demeter inspection.

Important: hybrid seed (F1) is in many cases not permitted on a Demeter farm. For the exact provisions, see the Demeter standards 2026.

Seed exchange and on-farm multiplication

On-farm multiplication plays a central role in the biodynamic tradition. Farms that save their own seed keep control over the identity of their varieties, adapt varieties to their own site conditions over the years and reduce their dependence on seed supply chains.

Seed exchange between farms is generally possible within the Demeter system if both farms are Demeter-certified. Initiatives such as Kultursaat and regional seed exchange networks support this.

Only open-pollinated varieties are suitable for on-farm multiplication — another reason why the Demeter world rejects hybrid seed.

Frequently asked questions

Is Demeter seed more expensive than organic seed?

Yes, usually 20 to 50 per cent more expensive. The surcharge reflects the greater effort of biodynamic multiplication and the association structure.

Can I use Demeter seed in a home garden?

Yes. Most suppliers carry home-garden packets. For home gardeners, Demeter seed is a very good choice — top quality, open-pollinated, can be multiplied.

What if the variety I want is not available in Demeter quality?

In this order: first check organic seed, then conventional organic seed of open-pollinated varieties, then hybrid seed only as a last option (and on a Demeter farm subject to approval).

Can I reuse seed from last year?

With open-pollinated Demeter varieties, yes — stored well, most vegetable seeds keep for 2 to 5 years, some cucurbits longer. Hybrid seed cannot be reliably multiplied.

Conclusion

Demeter seed is the standard choice on a biodynamic farm and in a seriously run Demeter home garden. The main suppliers are Bingenheimer (DE), Sativa (CH) and ReinSaat (AT); Kultursaat and Dreschflegel add in-house varieties and rarities to the range. When choosing, the variety counts for more than the brand; and anyone who takes it seriously builds up their own on-farm multiplication over the years, preserving the identity of the varieties for their own site.