Frequently Asked Questions

When you place an order, we purchase the seeds directly from the breeder on your behalf. The breeder then ships your order directly to you. This means your seeds come straight from the source -- handled and packaged by the people who produced them.

If your order includes strains from more than one breeder, you will receive separate shipments -- one from each breeder. Each will arrive with its own tracking number. You will be notified for each shipment.

Breeders typically process and ship orders within 1-3 business days. Delivery from there is generally 3-7 business days depending on the breeder's location and yours. Total time from order to delivery is usually 5-10 business days.

Yes. All of our breeder partners ship in plain, unmarked packaging with no reference to cannabis, seeds, or the breeder name on the outside. The billing descriptor on your statement is also neutral.

Yes. Tracking information is provided by each breeder and forwarded to your email once your order ships. You can also check your order status through your account dashboard.

Contact us if your order has not arrived within 14 business days of the ship date. We coordinate directly with the breeder to investigate and resolve shipping issues. If the package is confirmed lost, we will arrange a replacement shipment or issue a full refund.

No. We currently operate within the United States only and do not ship to international addresses.

No. You can order a single pack of seeds with no minimum requirement.

We guarantee that a minimum of 80% of seeds in any pack will germinate when standard germination conditions are followed: damp (not wet) paper towel, 70-85 degrees F, darkness. If germination falls below that threshold, contact us with a photo of your setup and the ungerminated seeds and we will send replacements.

Keep them cool, dark, and dry. An airtight container stored in a refrigerator set between 40-45 degrees F is ideal for anything longer than a few weeks. Avoid humidity and temperature swings. Seeds stored correctly can stay viable for several years.

Feminized seeds are bred to produce only female plants -- the ones that grow flowers. They need a light schedule change from 18/6 to 12/12 to trigger flowering. Autoflowering seeds flower based on age rather than light and typically finish in 60-90 days with no schedule change required. Regular seeds produce roughly equal numbers of male and female plants and are used primarily for breeding. See our full breakdown in the Grow Guides section.

Seeds are sourced directly from breeders and stored in climate-controlled conditions. Stock is rotated regularly. If a pack has been in storage longer than we consider optimal, it will not be listed as available.

The most common causes are overwatering (paper towel should be damp, not wet), temperature below 70 degrees F, or seeds that were stored improperly before reaching you. If conditions were correct and multiple seeds from the same pack failed, contact us with a photo. We stand behind the genetics we carry.

Yes. Pre-moisten your growing medium to about the consistency of a wrung-out sponge, plant the seed 1cm deep, and cover with a humidity dome in a warm location. The seedling should break the surface in 2-5 days. The paper towel method lets you monitor progress more easily, but direct soil germination minimizes handling. Both work reliably.

We accept all major credit and debit cards. Payment is processed securely through our payment processor. Full card details are never stored on our servers.

The charge will appear under a neutral descriptor -- not under Gold Hill Seeds or any cannabis-related name. If you have a question about the specific descriptor before placing an order, contact us and we will confirm it.

Yes. All transactions are encrypted using SSL/TLS. We do not store payment card data on our servers. Our checkout process is PCI-compliant.

Some card issuers decline transactions in this category by default. Try a different card or contact your bank to authorize the purchase. If you continue to have issues, reach out and we can walk through options.

Federal law in the United States classifies cannabis seeds as a controlled substance. State laws vary significantly. Some states permit seed purchase and cultivation for personal use. Others do not. It is your responsibility to check and comply with the laws in your specific state before ordering. We sell seeds for souvenir and collection purposes in states where cultivation is not permitted.

We are a US-based business currently operating only within the United States. We do not ship internationally.

No. Gold Hill Seeds is strictly for customers aged 21 and older. We verify age at the point of purchase.

In states where cannabis cultivation is legal for adults, yes. In states where it is not, seeds are sold as collectibles or for preservation purposes only. Know your state laws before you order.

Unopened seed packs in original, undamaged packaging are eligible for return within 14 days of delivery. Because orders ship directly from each breeder, return shipping instructions vary. Contact us first and we will coordinate the return process with the breeder on your behalf. Opened packs are not eligible for return but are covered by our germination guarantee.

Take a photo of the packaging and the damaged contents and contact us within 7 days of delivery. We will coordinate with the breeder to send a replacement at no charge.

Contact us as quickly as possible. Once we have placed the order with the breeder, cancellation depends on whether the breeder has processed it yet. If it has not shipped, we will request a cancellation. If it has already shipped, the order may be eligible for return after delivery.

Contact us within 30 days of receiving your order. Include your order number, a brief description of your germination method, and a photo of the ungerminated seeds. We handle the claim directly and respond within 2 business days. See the full guarantee terms on our Germination Guarantee page.

We look at genetic consistency, breeder reputation, and real-world grow reports from the community -- not just the marketing. Not every breeder that asks makes it into the catalog. See the About page for more on how we vet genetics.

Percentages come from breeder lab testing of their genetics under controlled conditions. Real-world results vary based on grow conditions, harvest timing, and cure. Treat listed percentages as a directional guide. A 26% strain grown in poor conditions will often underperform a 22% strain grown well.

It reflects how demanding a strain is under typical home growing conditions. Easy-rated strains tolerate beginner mistakes and a range of environments. Expert-tier genetics require precise, consistent conditions to perform as advertised. Ratings are sourced from breeder documentation and cross-checked against community-reported experience.

We only list seeds that are currently available. If a strain shows as in stock, it is. When stock runs out, the listing is updated or removed promptly.

Yes. If there is a specific breeder or strain you are looking for, contact us. We actively look for genetics the community wants and regularly add new breeders.

Yes. The catalog includes high-CBD genetics with a range of CBD-to-THC ratios. Filter by 'High CBD' in the seed browser to see available options.