ILGM vs Seedsman:
Which Should You Choose?
ILGM is the beginner's safety net. Seedsman is the world's largest seed catalog. They serve very different needs —here's how to decide.
Quick Verdict
ILGM wins for beginners and anyone who values a strong germination guarantee and growing support. Seedsman wins for variety-seekers and experienced growers hunting hard-to-find strains —but come with realistic expectations on US shipping times.
Netherlands-Based ·100% Guarantee
4.7/5 ·17,000+ Trustpilot reviews ·Our #2 pick for beginners
The most beginner-friendly seed bank in the world. ILGM's 100% germination guarantee, extensive grow guides, and strong customer service create a full support ecosystem. Founded by Robert Bergman, a genuine cultivation authority.
Spain-Based ·World's Largest Catalog
4.2/5 ·16,000+ Trustpilot reviews ·Not an affiliate partner
One of the largest and longest-running seed banks in the world. Seedsman stocks genetics from 300+ breeders and is especially popular for finding rare or hard-to-source strains. Ships internationally including to the US, but US shipping takes 2– weeks.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | ILGM | Seedsman |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.7/5 ★/span> | 4.2/5 |
| Germination Guarantee | 100% ★/span> | None |
| Strain Catalog | ~100 strains (house) | 5,000+ (300+ breeders) ★/span> |
| US Shipping Speed | 5– days ★/span> | 2– weeks |
| Customs Risk (US) | Low ★/span> | Moderate (reports of seizures) |
| Genetics Type | House genetics (S1s) | Original breeder packs ★/span> |
| Beginner Support | Exceptional ★/span> | Moderate |
| Bitcoin Discount | 10% off | 10% off |
| Pricing | Mid-to-high | More competitive ★/span> |
| Community Trust (US) | Higher ★/span> | Mixed (slow shipping complaints) |
| Best For | Beginners, reliability, guaranteed results | Experienced collectors, hard-to-find genetics |
ILGM's Strengths: Guarantee, Support, Reliability
ILGM built its reputation on one promise: if your seeds don't germinate, you'll get replacements. The 100% germination guarantee isn't just marketing —with 17,000+ Trustpilot reviews at 4.7/5, the data shows they actually honor it. For a beginner who may be investing $100+ in seeds for their first grow, that safety net is genuinely valuable.
The grow guides and support ecosystem are the other leg of ILGM's value. Robert Bergman wrote the guides himself, and they cover everything from germination to harvest for each strain. You're not just buying seeds —you're buying into a complete beginner success system.
The tradeoffs are real but manageable: house genetics rather than original breeder packs, and ships from the Netherlands (5– days to the US, with reliable but not instant delivery). Experienced growers will find the catalog limited —but that's not ILGM's target customer.
Seedsman's Strengths: Scale, Variety, Breeder Access
Seedsman's scale is genuinely impressive: 5,000+ strains from 300+ breeders, built over two decades. If you're hunting a specific phenotype from a respected breeder —Barneys Farm, Royal Queen Seeds, Dutch Passion, Fast Buds —Seedsman likely has it. For a strain collector or someone who wants to explore the full breadth of cannabis genetics, there's no better catalog.
Pricing is also more competitive than ILGM, especially during sales. Seedsman regularly runs promotions with 30–0% off, and the Bitcoin discount (10%) applies to an already-competitive base price.
The significant caveat for US buyers: shipping from Spain takes 2– weeks and there is some customs seizure risk. The community has noted inconsistencies in shipping speed and occasional customer service difficulties. Not a dealbreaker for an experienced grower willing to wait, but a real concern for someone who needs their seeds within a week.
The Customs Question
Seedsman ships from Spain, which means US-bound packages pass through customs. While Seedsman offers stealth shipping options and most packages arrive without issue, customs seizures are reported often enough to be a genuine risk worth factoring in. ILGM's Netherlands-to-US shipping has a better stealth reputation and fewer seizure reports.
If customs risk is a concern at all, ILGM is the safer choice. If you're an experienced buyer who's ordered internationally before without issue, Seedsman's variety makes it worth the minor risk.
Our Honest Take
For US growers, our default recommendation is ILGM over Seedsman —primarily because of the germination guarantee, faster shipping, and lower customs risk. The experience gap is most significant for beginners, where ILGM's support ecosystem genuinely improves outcomes.
Experienced US-based growers looking for premium genetics should skip both and go to NASC or Multiverse Beans —you'll get original breeder packs with US-speed shipping and no customs exposure. Seedsman makes most sense for international buyers or collectors hunting specific genetics not available domestically.
Who Should Choose Which?
First or second-time growers who want a germination safety net. Anyone shipping to the US who wants faster delivery and lower customs risk. Buyers who want strain-specific growing guides built into their purchase.
Experienced collectors hunting specific strains from named breeders. International buyers where Seedsman's EU base is advantageous. Growers who've already mastered germination and don't need a guarantee. Anyone looking for a specific rare genetics not stocked by US banks.
I Love Growing Marijuana
100% germination guarantee ·Best beginner support ·17K reviews
Visit ILGM Read full review →/a>Affiliate link ·No cost to you
Seedsman
5,000+ strains ·300+ breeders ·International shipping
Visit SeedsmanNo affiliate relationship ·Organic listing
US Grower? Consider NASC or Multiverse Beans Instead
If you're in the US and want original breeder packs with 2– day shipping and zero customs risk, NASC and Multiverse Beans are likely better options than either ILGM or Seedsman. Both offer authentic genetics at US-level speed.