If you’ve spent any time browsing seed catalogs or the gardening aisle of your local home improvement store, chances are you’ve come across the Burpee name. It’s arguably the most recognized brand in home garden seeds in America — and for good reason. But as awareness around GMOs, organic farming, and food sovereignty has grown dramatically over the past decade, more gardeners are asking sharper questions before they buy. Chief among them: Are Burpee seeds non-GMO?
The short answer is yes. But as with most things in the world of organic and natural gardening, the full picture is more nuanced and worth understanding deeply — especially if you are committed to growing a chemical-free, non-GMO, or certified organic garden.
A Brief History of Burpee Seeds
To understand where Burpee stands on GMOs today, it helps to understand where the company came from.
W. Atlee Burpee founded his company in 1876 after visiting the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where, as an 18-year-old, he was drawn to the agricultural and horticultural exhibits. He initially ran a mail-order livestock business, but when his customers told him they needed a reliable source for quality seed, he was quick to oblige — and by 1877 had begun reshaping his enterprise into the celebrated seed company we know today.
What distinguished Burpee from the start was its research-first approach. Burpee was the first “modern” seed company based entirely on plant breeding and product innovation. In 1888, Atlee acquired Fordhook Farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, transforming it into a world-famous plant breeding and testing facility — the first of its kind in the country.
Over the following century and a half, Burpee introduced some of the most iconic vegetable varieties in American gardening history — Iceberg lettuce in 1894, the Big Boy tomato in 1949, and countless hybrid flowers and vegetables that became household staples. Today, Burpee is one of the world’s foremost home garden seed and plant companies, breeding and growing plants and producing seed worldwide at locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Holland, and India.
The company’s longevity and reputation are built on one foundational promise: Burpee’s Seeds Grow. And central to that promise, in the modern era, is a firm commitment to staying non-GMO.
So, Are Burpee Seeds Non-GMO?
Yes — emphatically and officially. Burpee has never bought or sold genetically modified (GMO) seeds, and has no intention of doing so in the future. All of their products were developed through traditional plant breeding methods, not genetic engineering.
To be crystal clear about what that means in practice: every seed packet you purchase from Burpee — whether it is a hybrid tomato, an heirloom squash, or a packet of flower seeds — was produced without any genetic modification. No gene splicing, no transgenic modification, no laboratory-inserted DNA from unrelated organisms. Burpee’s seeds germinate up to 35% over required state and federal minimums and are always non-GMO. That combination of performance and purity is what has kept Burpee at the top of the home gardening market for nearly 150 years.
Understanding the Difference: Non-GMO vs. Hybrid vs. Organic
One of the most common sources of confusion for home gardeners is the distinction between these three terms. They are not interchangeable, and understanding each one is critical to making truly informed seed purchases. We covered this distinction in detail in our post on Organic vs. Non-GMO: What’s the Difference?
Non-GMO Seeds
A non-GMO seed is one that has not been genetically modified in a laboratory using techniques like gene splicing or transgenesis. The plant’s DNA has not been artificially altered by inserting genetic material from unrelated organisms. Burpee’s entire catalog falls into this category.
Hybrid Seeds
Many of Burpee’s most popular varieties are hybrids — often labeled “F1 Hybrid” on seed packets. It is important to understand that hybrid does not mean GMO. Hybridization is a traditional plant breeding technique that has been practiced for centuries. It involves crossing two different parent plants through natural pollination to produce offspring with specific desired traits — better yield, disease resistance, uniform size, and so on. Burpee has always supplied home gardeners with safe, non-GMO hybrids and tried-and-true heirloom seeds.
The distinction matters because hybrid seeds do not reliably “breed true” when saved and replanted. The offspring of a hybrid may not share the same traits as the parent plant. This is a practical gardening consideration, not a GMO or safety concern — but it is worth knowing if saving seeds is part of your gardening practice.
Heirloom Seeds
Burpee also carries a significant selection of heirloom varieties — open-pollinated seeds that have been grown and saved for generations, typically at least 50 years or more. Heirloom seeds are always non-GMO by definition, and they do breed true when saved. If seed saving is important to you, heirloom varieties are your best bet.
Certified Organic Seeds
This is where Burpee’s offerings become particularly impressive for organic gardeners. Not only does Burpee sell non-GMO seeds — a portion of its catalog is certified organic, meaning the seeds themselves were produced using organic farming practices. Burpee’s certified organic varieties are recognized as organic under the Oregon Tilth Certification, a subsidiary of USDA regulatory. Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) is internationally recognized and provides a system that combines strict production standards with on-site inspections.
Burpee follows strict organic guidelines and is certified by Oregon Tilth, offering over 35 varieties that are USDA certified. These range from classic ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce to early-fruiting tomatoes — all organically grown from seed to packet. If you want to understand exactly what organic certification means and how it protects you as a consumer, our guide to Organic Certifications Explained: USDA, EU & Beyond is an excellent resource.
What Exactly Is a GMO — and Why Does It Matter for Gardeners?
A GMO is an organism whose genetic material has been altered by replacing part of its DNA with another organism’s DNA. In commercial agriculture, this is typically done to create crops that are resistant to herbicides (like Roundup-Ready corn and soy), produce their own pesticides (like Bt crops), or resist disease.
For home gardeners and organic food growers, the concern with GMOs is multifaceted.
Seed sovereignty. GMO seeds are typically patented by large corporations, meaning farmers and gardeners cannot legally save and replant them without purchasing new seeds each season. This undermines the centuries-old tradition of seed saving and creates dependence on corporate seed suppliers.
Pesticide exposure. Many GMO crops are engineered to work alongside specific synthetic herbicides like glyphosate. If you are growing food to reduce your family’s exposure to synthetic chemicals, GMO seeds engineered for herbicide resistance run directly counter to that goal. Our exploration of What Pesticides Are Used in Organic Farming shows how organic and non-GMO growing approaches take very different paths when it comes to pest and weed management.
Environmental impact. GMO crop cultivation has been associated with increased herbicide use, impacts on beneficial insects, and the development of herbicide-resistant “superweeds.” The long-term ecological effects remain a subject of active scientific study and legitimate concern. Read more about sustainable agricultural practices in our post on Is Organic Farming Sustainable?
Biodiversity. When a small number of genetically uniform, patented seed varieties dominate agriculture, traditional and heirloom varieties can be lost. Bees and other pollinators also play a critical role in maintaining the biodiversity that makes organic seed systems thrive — something we explored in our post on the Vital Role of Bees in Organic Agriculture.
For home gardeners growing their own produce, buying non-GMO seeds like those from Burpee is a meaningful step toward growing food that is free from these concerns at the most fundamental level — the seed itself.
Burpee’s Non-GMO Policy: Is It Verified?
A fair and important question — is Burpee’s non-GMO claim simply a marketing statement, or is it backed up by something more substantive?
Burpee’s non-GMO commitment is supported by several layers of credibility.
Historical consistency. Burpee’s entire breeding history is rooted in traditional methods, not genetic engineering. This is not a company that pivoted away from GMOs; it simply never went there.
Third-party organic certification. While “non-GMO” itself is not a regulated term in the seed industry, Burpee’s certified organic lines are subject to USDA organic standards, which expressly prohibit GMOs. If a seed carries USDA Organic certification via Oregon Tilth, it is non-GMO by the legal and regulatory definition of organic. This provides an independently verified layer of assurance beyond Burpee’s own policy statement.
Public policy commitment. Burpee has stated publicly and repeatedly across its website and customer support documentation that it has never bred or sold GMO seeds and has no intention of doing so in the future — a commitment that would carry significant reputational consequences if violated.
Traditional breeding focus. Burpee’s research and breeding programs continue to use classical plant breeding techniques — selecting, crossing, and trialing varieties the way plant breeders have done for generations. There is no evidence of any shift toward biotechnology in their product development pipeline.
That said, Burpee does not currently carry a Non-GMO Project Verified label across its full catalog, which is the most rigorous third-party verification standard for non-GMO claims in the marketplace. Gardeners who want maximum verification may wish to prioritize Burpee’s certified organic lines, which carry USDA organic certification via Oregon Tilth, or look specifically for Non-GMO Project verified products.
If you want to learn how to identify genuinely certified products and avoid misleading labels more broadly, our post on How to Spot Fake Organic Products is a practical and eye-opening read. And for a broader understanding of how organic labels work and what they really mean, see our piece on Common Misconceptions About Organic Labels.
Are Burpee’s Standard Seeds Safe for Organic Gardens?
This is a subtler but very practical question, especially for gardeners maintaining a certified organic growing space.
The answer depends on how you define “safe for organic gardens.”
From a GMO standpoint: Yes. All Burpee seeds are non-GMO, so using them will not introduce GMO genetics into your garden.
From a pesticide treatment standpoint: Burpee does not treat its seeds with chemical coatings or treatments — a practice that some conventional seed companies use to protect seeds during germination. This is reassuring for organic gardeners who want to avoid fungicide-treated seeds.
From a certified organic production standpoint: Here is the important distinction. Non-organic Burpee seeds were produced on conventional farms, meaning the parent plants may have been grown using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides — even though the final seed itself is non-GMO and untreated. If you are maintaining a USDA Certified Organic growing operation, the National Organic Program (NOP) generally requires that you use certified organic seeds when commercially available.
Organic seeds are produced from plants that have not been treated with any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers — including during the seed production process. If that distinction matters to you, Burpee’s certified organic seed lines, certified by Oregon Tilth, are the right choice. Our broader guide on Organic Standards: What Qualifies a Product as Organic explains precisely how these production standards work.
Burpee and the Organic Lifestyle
Choosing non-GMO seeds is not just a gardening decision — it is an expression of values that extends far beyond the garden bed. When you grow food from non-GMO, organic seed stock, you are participating in a food system that prioritizes transparency, biodiversity, soil health, and human health over industrial efficiency and corporate control.
Those values connect directly to the reasons many people pursue an organic lifestyle more broadly — in the food they eat, the products they use, and the choices they make every day. Whether you are growing tomatoes from Burpee organic seeds or shopping for organic produce on a budget, each decision reinforces the same underlying philosophy: knowing where things come from and trusting what goes into them.
The produce from your garden has a direct line to your dinner table — and the health of that food begins with the seed. If you’re thinking carefully about what pesticide residues might be on your food, our guide to the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen is an excellent companion read, especially if you grow vegetables that typically carry high pesticide loads in conventional production.
Burpee’s nearly 150-year history of research-based, non-GMO seed breeding makes it one of the most aligned mainstream seed companies with organic gardening values. Its track record, public commitments, and certified organic product lines make it a trustworthy choice for gardeners who care about what they are growing — and ultimately, what they are eating.
Practical Tips for Non-GMO and Organic Gardeners
Here is how to make the most of Burpee’s catalog based on your gardening goals:
For casual home gardeners who want non-GMO seeds without the premium cost of full organic certification, Burpee’s standard hybrid and heirloom lines are a solid, accessible choice. They are non-GMO, untreated, and backed by nearly 150 years of breeding expertise.
For organic gardeners who want to align their seed selection with their growing practices, prioritize Burpee’s USDA Certified Organic lines, certified by Oregon Tilth. These guarantee that the seeds were produced under organic farming conditions from start to finish.
For seed savers, focus on Burpee’s heirloom varieties, which are open-pollinated, non-GMO, and will produce offspring that faithfully replicate the parent plant’s characteristics when seeds are saved and replanted.
For budget-conscious gardeners, Burpee’s Farmer’s Market bulk seed line offers non-GMO seeds in large quantities at better per-unit pricing — ideal if you are growing at scale. Our guide on Buying Organic in Bulk has more strategies for reducing organic and non-GMO costs.
For those new to organic gardening, Burpee is also an excellent starting point for a broader organic lifestyle transition. Our Minimalist Organic Living Tips for Beginners offers a gentle, practical approach to getting started.
FAQs: Are Burpee Seeds Non-GMO?
Q1: Are all Burpee seeds non-GMO? Yes, all Burpee seeds are non-GMO. Burpee has never bought or sold genetically modified seeds and has publicly committed to never doing so. Every seed in their catalog — whether hybrid, heirloom, or certified organic — was developed using traditional plant breeding methods, not genetic engineering. This policy applies across their entire product range, from vegetable seeds to flowers.
Q2: Are Burpee hybrid seeds the same as GMO seeds? No — hybrid seeds are not the same as GMO seeds, and this is one of the most important distinctions in home gardening. Burpee hybrid seeds (labeled “F1 Hybrid”) are created by crossing two parent plant varieties through traditional, natural pollination — a technique that has been used by plant breeders for centuries. GMO seeds, by contrast, are engineered in a laboratory by inserting DNA from unrelated organisms into a plant’s genome. Burpee’s hybrids are entirely natural in their development and 100% non-GMO.
Q3: Does Burpee have certified organic seeds? Yes. Burpee offers a selection of USDA Certified Organic seeds certified through Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO), one of the most respected organic certifiers in the world. These seeds were produced on farms that follow strict organic growing standards — meaning no synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, and no GMOs throughout the entire seed production process. Burpee offers over 35 certified organic varieties ranging from vegetables to herbs.
Q4: What is the difference between Burpee’s heirloom, hybrid, and organic seeds? These three terms refer to different qualities of the seed. Heirloom seeds are open-pollinated varieties that have been passed down for generations (typically 50+ years) and will breed true when saved and replanted — they are always non-GMO. Hybrid seeds are created by cross-pollinating two parent varieties to produce offspring with specific traits; they are non-GMO but do not breed true when saved. Organic seeds — regardless of whether they are heirloom or hybrid — were produced on certified organic farms without synthetic chemicals. A seed can be both heirloom and organic, or hybrid and organic, depending on how it was grown.
Q5: Are Burpee seeds treated with pesticides or fungicides? Burpee does not treat its seeds with chemical coatings, fungicides, or pesticide treatments. Some conventional seed companies apply fungicide coatings to seeds to protect them during germination, but Burpee’s seeds are untreated. This makes them suitable for use in organic gardens and safe for households that want to avoid chemical residues at the seed level.
Q6: Can I save seeds from Burpee plants to replant next year? It depends on the variety. Burpee’s heirloom varieties are open-pollinated, which means you can save seeds from them and replant the following season with reliable results — the offspring will closely resemble the parent plant. Burpee’s hybrid (F1) varieties, however, do not breed true from saved seed. The second-generation plants may revert to traits from either parent variety, resulting in unpredictable and often inferior results. If seed saving is a priority for you, focus on Burpee’s heirloom collection.
Q7: Is Burpee Non-GMO Project Verified? Burpee does not currently carry a Non-GMO Project Verified seal across its full catalog. The Non-GMO Project Verified label is the most rigorous third-party non-GMO verification standard available in the US marketplace. However, Burpee’s certified organic seed lines are certified by Oregon Tilth under USDA Organic standards, which legally prohibit GMOs — providing an independent, regulated form of assurance. For gardeners who want the strongest possible verification, prioritizing Burpee’s certified organic lines is the best approach.
Q8: Are Burpee seeds safe to use in a certified organic garden? Burpee’s USDA Certified Organic seed lines are fully appropriate for certified organic gardens, as they meet NOP (National Organic Program) standards. Burpee’s non-organic (conventional) seeds, while non-GMO and untreated, were produced on conventional farms and technically do not meet NOP requirements for certified organic operations when organic seed is commercially available. For casual home gardeners without formal certification, Burpee’s full range is fine. For certified organic growers, stick to Burpee’s Oregon Tilth-certified organic seed lines.
Q9: Where does Burpee source and grow its seeds? Burpee grows and sources seeds from multiple locations globally, including farms in the United States, the United Kingdom, Holland, and India. All seed production — regardless of origin — is subject to Burpee’s quality and non-GMO standards. Their flagship research and breeding facility, Fordhook Farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, has been operating since 1888 and remains central to Burpee’s variety development and testing programs.
Q10: How does buying non-GMO seeds like Burpee’s support organic farming? Purchasing non-GMO and organic seeds supports a food system that values biodiversity, seed sovereignty, and chemical-free farming. When you choose non-GMO seeds, you vote against the consolidation of the seed supply by corporations that patent genetic modifications and restrict seed saving. Certified organic seeds go even further — the farming practices used to produce them protect soil health, support pollinators, reduce synthetic chemical runoff, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of agriculture. Even as a home gardener, your seed choices have a small but meaningful ripple effect on the broader food system.
The Bottom Line
Are Burpee seeds non-GMO? Yes — without qualification. Burpee is proud to provide 100% non-GMO seeds of the highest quality, and has never bought or sold genetically modified seeds. This commitment is consistent, public, and backed by a breeding history rooted entirely in traditional plant science going back nearly 150 years.
For organic gardeners specifically, Burpee’s certified organic seed lines — verified by Oregon Tilth under USDA Organic standards — offer an additional layer of assurance that the seeds were produced under the same organic principles you apply in your garden.
In a seed marketplace that can sometimes feel murky and hard to navigate, Burpee stands as a reliable, transparent option. As with all things in the organic and natural food world, the more you understand the labels, the certifications, and the production practices behind your choices, the more confidently you can grow — and eat.
Want to go deeper into the world of organic gardening and food? Explore our guides on What Pesticides Are Used in Organic Farming, the Evolution of Organic Food Over the Last 20 Years, and Future Trends in Organic Agriculture for a fuller picture of where organic food and farming are headed.
