Millennium Seed Bank
Learn about our scientific mission to protect wild plant biodiversity in our underground seed bank.
To help us manage social distancing, one-way systems may be in place. We appreciate face coverings are no longer required by law, but please wear a face covering when indoors unless you are exempt. This helps to protect yourself and others.
The Millennium Seed Bank Atrium will be closed on 16 September and 14 October 2021.
In the heart of rural Sussex lies a treasure trove of scientific excellence.
The Millennium Seed Bank hides an underground collection of over 2.4 billion seeds from around the world, banking them to conserve them for the future.
Enter our glass atrium, and you’ll see our scientists at work in front of your very eyes. You can track the journey of a seed from our drying chamber, though seed cleaning and processing to our research stations and explore our interactive exhibitions.
Right beneath your feet are our sub-zero chambers, where we store seeds collected around the world by our global partnership in flood, bomb and radiation-proof vaults.
Outside our building, planted parterres showcase eight threatened habitats of the British Isles.
Why do we bank seeds?
With two in five plant species at risk of extinction, it’s a race against time to protect our incredible plant life.
By storing seeds ex situ (away from their natural habitat) and supporting seed banks in countries around the globe, we are giving a safe home to some of the world’s most threatened plants.
It means that we can germinate and reintroduce these plants back into the wild or use them for scientific research in finding our future food or medicines.
We have nearly all the UK’s native plant species preserved in our seed bank.
Where do we collect seeds from?
The MSB is the largest, most diverse wild plant species genetic resource in the world; a fantastic result of contributions from 97 countries since 2000.
Our scientists and their partners collect seeds from some of the most extreme and familiar landscapes.
Seed collections are stored in the country where they were collected, and a part of the collection is sent to the MSB for safety backup.
We prioritise:
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Plants that with seeds that can tolerate being dried and frozen
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Areas vulnerable to climate change: alpine, dryland, coastal and island ecosystems
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Plants that are useful for livelihoods and economies
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Plants that are relatives of to those that we eat
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Plants that are endemic to that location (not found anywhere else)
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Plants that are threatened in the wild.
This scientific hub is a great introduction into the vital work that Kew scientists do every day.
In fact, many of the plants grown in Wakehurst’s botanic garden started their life in this very place.
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Bloomers Valley
A breathtaking spectacle in high summer, Bloomers Valley is a landmark meadow restoration where you can enjoy our rich local grasslands.
Explore the valley
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Surviving or Thriving: An exhibition on plants and us
A specially-curated exhibition about the state of the world’s plants and what this means for us.
Discover the exhibition
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Loder Valley Nature Reserve
Get closer to wildlife in our 40-acre nature reserve, home to 300 plant species as well as dormice, badgers, kingfishers, butterflies and more.
Explore the Loder Valley Nature Reserve