Have you ever wondered what is the difference between hybrids and heirlooms in the garden? Are heirlooms better? Are hybrids genetically modified? Get answers below…

When shopping for seeds or plants for your garden, you may notice that some varieties are marked “heirloom” while others are labeled as “hybrid.”

These terms can create confusion for both novice and experienced gardeners – and there is quite a bit of debate over which is better. Heirloom lovers enjoy the history and uniqueness of varieties that have been cultivated by home gardeners for sometimes hundreds of years. On the other hand, hybrid varieties have their fans as well, who may feel that hybrid types are more vigorous and less susceptible to diseases and pests.

In reality, there may be room in every garden for both types of plants. To better understand the distinction between heirloom and hybrid plant varieties, it helps to look at how they came to be.

Open-Pollination vs. Careful Manipulation

Open-pollination is a form of plant reproduction which occurs in one of two ways:

1. Cross-pollination (in the context of open-pollination) occurs when two varieties of the same plant species reproduce due to natural pollinators, such as wind, birds or insects.

2. Self-pollination occurs when a plant possesses both male and female parts and can reproduce by itself. Self-pollinating plants, such as tomatoes, breed true to the parent plant and do not require isolation to avoid contamination from other varieties.

The term “heirloom” refers to older, well-established varieties of open-pollinated plants. These plants have developed stable genetic characteristics over time. Often, classic heirloom varieties evoke a sense of nostalgia because they were often found in the gardens of older generations. In fact, heirloom seeds can become an important part of a family’s history as they are passed down from one generation to the next.

Hybrid plants, on the other hand, are the result of highly controlled cross-pollination between different varieties of the same species of plants. Although cross-pollination can and does occur in nature, the results are too random to be reproduced and marketed on a mass scale. Therefore, the hybrids you see in stores are not open-pollinated like heirloom varieties.

In order to sell a hybrid variety commercially, its breeding must be carefully monitored in order to ensure the same characteristics are present across all plants sold under that name.

Unfortunately, this high level of human involvement in their development adds more confusion as it leads some people to believe hybrid plant varieties are also “genetically modified.”

Are Hybrid Plants Genetically Modified?

The short answer is NO.

Hybrid plants and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are NOT the same thing.

Once again, the difference between the two goes back to how they are created. Hybrids are the result of highly controlled cross-pollination between two varieties of the same plant species. The resulting progeny will contain characteristics from each parent plant, just like if the two had crossed in nature.

GMOs, on the other hand, are the result of scientific manipulation at the cellular level. In a lab environment, plant cells are altered through the addition of outside substances like pesticides or DNA from other organisms. So-called ‘negative’ genes may also be removed in this process. The end result is an entirely new organism that would not occur in nature without this type of manipulation.

There is a lot of concern and discussion surrounding the long-term safety of GMOs because they have been introduced into the food supply very quickly without much in the way of long-term studies to confirm their safety. Today, there is a lot of concern that GMOs may be linked to cancer and many other health problems.

As consumers become more aware of the presence of these substances in commercially processed foods, many are choosing to adopt an organic, whole food diet. In an effort to avoid GMOs, some are also avoiding hybrid plants unnecessarily.

Which is Better: Heirlooms or Hybrids?

There is no right or wrong answer to that question. Heirlooms are often treasured for their delicious flavor, while many hybrids are prized for their vigor, high yields, and superior disease resistance.

The biggest difference between the two is this: Heirloom varieties “grow true” from seeds. This means that you can save and use their seeds year after year and get uniform results. Hybrids do not offer that type of genetic stability. Plants grown from the seeds of hybrid plants are unlikely to look or perform like the plant from which the seeds were collected.

So, if you like to collect and grow your garden from seeds, heirlooms are a better choice for you.

On the other hand, if you find that you have problems with a particular disease or pest in your area, you may wish to try a hybrid variety that is bred to have resistance to these problems.

In general, both types of plants can have a place in your organic garden – it just depends on your needs and preferences.

Which do you prefer? Do you grow heirlooms, hybrids, or both? Comment below, or chime in on our Facebook page and let us know!