Choosing the right seed bank is the first—and arguably most critical—step in your cultivation journey. In 2025, the market is flooded with options, but two heavyweights continue to dominate the conversation: Herbies Seeds and I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM).

While both are reputable giants in the cannabis industry, they cater to very different types of growers. Are you looking for a massive variety of global genetics, or do you need a guaranteed, fool-proof experience? Let’s break down the pros, cons, and key differences to help you decide.

1. Strain Selection & Variety

This is the biggest differentiator between the two.

• Herbies Seeds: The "Amazon" of cannabis seeds. Herbies acts as a retailer for over 120 international breeders (including heavy hitters like Barney’s Farm, FastBuds, and Royal Queen Seeds). They stock thousands of strains, including rare landraces, trending hybrids, and massive catalogs of autoflowers.
• ILGM: Focuses on a curated experience. ILGM primarily sells their own branded seeds. While their selection covers all the legendary staples (White Widow, GG4, Blue Dream), it is much smaller than Herbies. They prioritize stability and popularity over niche variety.

Winner: Herbies Seeds for explorers and phenotype hunters; ILGM for growers who want proven classics.

2. Germination Guarantees

A seed bank's guarantee is your safety net.

• ILGM: Famous for their industry-leading 100% Germination Guarantee. If a seed doesn’t pop, they replace it for free. No questions asked. This policy is the gold standard for beginners who can't afford to lose money on failed starts.
• Herbies Seeds: Offers a solid germination guarantee, usually covering a high percentage of failed seeds provided you followed their specific germination guide. However, the process can be slightly more bureaucratic compared to ILGM's "no-hassle" reputation.

Winner: ILGM hands down. Their peace-of-mind guarantee is unbeatable.

3. Shipping & Stealth

Where you live matters.

• ILGM: Specifically dominates the USA market. Because they have distribution centers within the US, shipping is incredibly fast (often 2–5 days) and free for US orders. There are no customs to worry about.
• Herbies Seeds: Based in Europe (Spain). While they ship worldwide and are experts at "stealth shipping" (hiding seeds in toys, beads, etc.), orders to the US or Australia can take longer (1–3 weeks) and must pass through customs.

Winner: ILGM for US residents; Herbies Seeds for European and International growers.

4. Pricing & Deals

• Herbies Seeds: Excellent for single-seed buyers. You can buy just one seed if you want to test a strain. They also offer a "free seed with every order" perk that scales up as you spend more.
• ILGM: Known for their Buy 10 Get 10 Free (BOGO) deals. Their base price per seed can look high, but if you buy in bulk during a sale, the price per seed drops significantly. They generally do not sell single seeds.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Choose ILGM if:

• You are a beginner growing in the USA.
• You want the safety of a 100% germination guarantee.
• You prefer buying familiar, high-yielding strains in bulk.
• You want fast, free shipping without customs anxiety.

Choose Herbies Seeds if:

• You want to browse thousands of strains from specific breeders (e.g., wanting a specific Mephisto Genetics auto).
• You want to buy single seeds to mix and match varieties.
• You are located in Europe or outside the US.
• You value advanced search filters (sorting by THC %, terpene profile, etc.).

Final Thoughts

Both Herbies and ILGM are legitimate, trustworthy companies that have survived the test of time. Your choice ultimately comes down to logistics vs. variety. If you want a quick, guaranteed start, go with ILGM. If you want to hunt for the next exotic phenotype, Herbies is your playground.

Happy Growing!