African Heirlooms
The Seedstead has an outstanding selection of African Heirloom and Open-pollinated varieties.
Our collection has vegetable varieties from all over the continent and is expanded upon every year.
The beauty of African Heirloom varieties is that they are often sourced from deep rural villages from across the African continent. The benefits of this is that very often they come with inherent disease and environment resistances naturally bred in.
The simple reason for this is that only the best seed is saved from year to year; African farmers are keenly aware that saving the best seed produces the best crops from season to season. The rural seed network within Africa is strong, and rural farmers have a very close relationship with the seed that they save. This ensures that only the best seed, from varieties with the best genetics are saved.
The African continent is diverse with ecosystems and micro-climates ranging from tropical rain forests to deserts. Heirloom and Open-pollinated seed from across the world has outstanding genetic diversity that enables their continued cultivation in harsh environments, and this is what makes them so important for future food security.
Enjoy browsing our collection, and please come back often to see what new and exciting additions have been made.
African Premier Bush
Phaseolus vulgarus African Premier bush bean originates from Kenya. A neat, compact bush be..
$4.00
Bambarra Nut
Vigna subterranea Bambarra Nuts are one of Africa's "Lost Crops" and are highly nutritious ..
$4.00
Bill's Breeder
Solanum lycopersicum Bill Kerr, one of South Africa's top seed breeders, developed this stu..
$4.00
Carl's Sundew
Capsicum annuum A lovely African Heirloom this short, compact bush is highly productive. Th..
$4.25
Clemson Spineless Okra
Okra is a traditional east african vegetable. Originally grown in Ethiopia and Egypt, this vegetable..
$2.85
Ethiopian Inik'ulali Eggplant
Solanum melongena This amazing heirloom is a relatively new discovery as heirlooms go. A re..
$4.00
Jelly Melon
Cucumis metuliferus A real South African heirloom, this traditional food plant is indigenou..
$4.00
Joe's Village Togo
Capsicum frutescens A rare "birds-eye" type chilli pepper from Togo, West Africa. This is t..
$4.00
Kara Market Togo Tomato
Solanum lycopersicum An exceptional African heirloom tomato, originating from Togo, West Af..
$4.25
Khobwe Purple Cowpea
Vigna unguiculataOne of the most beautiful cow pea varieties. We have two strains of this variety. T..
$4.00
KZN Peri Peri
Capsicum frutescens Wowi. Hot, wicked, right up-front heat that packs a real punch. This little c..
$5.85
Leraka Gourd
Lagenaria siceraria This traditional African gourd from Lesotho can be eaten when young and is ..
$3.50
Makataan
Citrullus lanatus A true South African heirloom, Makataan watermelons have been cultivated in Sou..
$4.00
Malawi Cherry
Solanum lycopersicum Malawi Cherry tomato is a highly productive indeterminate variety. Produces ..
$3.85
Malawi Sundew
Capsicum annuumAn old African Heirloom from Malawi. We acquired the seed as a gift from a migrant la..
$4.00