The SNAP program was introduced to provide nutritional assistance to low-income families by allowing them to buy food and grocery items at a much cheaper price. This SNAP program also included some edible plants and seeds as EBT-eligible items. However, not many people are completely aware of this, let alone the plants that can be bought using an EBT card.
To help people out, here we have included the 7 Best EBT-Eligible Plants and Gardening Kits that can be bought using EBT Benefits. All of the below plants have been sown by me, and thus, the below review is from personal experience. I hope with the below article; you can get better clarity on which EBT-eligible plants and seeds to buy.
Which Plants Can I Buy With a SNAP Card?
There is an umpteenth amount of variety when it comes to plants. You might be wondering which plants can be bought using EBT benefits. The SNAP Program was introduced to provide nutrition assistance to low-income families, and the majority of the plants that meet this need are included in the EBT-eligible list.
Given below are the two typical types of plants that can be bought using an EBT card.
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Vegetable and Fruit-Bearing Plants
Certainly, vegetables and fruit plants are eligible to be bought under snap benefits. Most edible plants, such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions, greens, etc., can be bought with a b a card. You can buy bulbs, bushes, and food-producing roots as well. to name a few, you can buy garlic, onions, asparagus roots, and much more.
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Plants Producing Edible Herbs and Spices
There are a lot of edible Herbs and Spices that are used in day-to-day kitchen activities. Apart from medicinal use, these herbs are also used in cooking. SNAP allows you to buy such Herbs and Spices using snap benefits. For instance, you can buy dill seeds, thyme, oregano, Anise, rosemary, cumin, etc., using an EBT Card.
To put it in simple words, you cannot buy ornamental or decor plants which do not have any edible value to them.
Important Note
Many SNAP retailers are not aware of the fact that many plants and seeds are eligible for EBT benefits. It is advised that you beforehand check with the SNAP retailer and make them aware of this in case they already are not.
7 Best EBT-Eligible Plants and Gardening Kits
Given below are the 7 best EBT-eligible plants and seeds you can buy using your snap benefits. You can buy plants and seeds with a witty card at various snap retailers. However, the best option that many people find is buying SNAP EBT-eligible plants and seeds on Amazon.
All of the below-mentioned plants, seeds, and gardening kits are available on Amazon. We have tried to provide as many details as we could on these seeds and plants from our personal experience.
Burpee Starter Kit – $17
The Burpee Culinary Garden Starter Kit comes with a package of 5 biodegradable Pots, 5 Coir Pellets & 5 Plant Markers. It also includes non-GMO Herb Seeds such as – Parsley, Cilantro, Chives, Sweet Basil, and Dill. The Expected Blooming Period for these plants is year-round, and with this gardening kit, it is very much easier to grow the plants.
This gardening kit is ideal for both newbies and longtime gardeners. Plants grown from these high-quality Non-GMO seeds are hardy, live, and thrive both indoors and outdoors. All of the seeds in this kit are chosen to take into consideration their versatility and use in the kitchen.
Each of the seed packets has a detailed description of how to sow the seeds. You can grow them either indoors or outdoors. All you need to do is add water to the coconut coir soil pellets to expand them.
Among various other options, Burpees also has a Tomato Starter Kit that includes 4 Tomato Seed Packets, 4 Pots, 4 Coir Pellets & 4 Plant Markers. So, if you are a tomato lover, you know which one to buy.
- Suitable for both indoors and outdoors.
- Detailed growing guide
Back to the Roots Indoor Gardening Kit ($17)
The Back to the Roots Cherry Tomato Organic Windowsill Planter Kit can help you grow your own plant all year round. Each of their gardener kits comes with a huge Mason jar, Organic vegetable seeds as well as two organic fertilizers spikes.
You can see that this kit is very well packaged and has clear instructions as to how to sow the seeds and take care of the plant. The best thing about this one is that you can grow vegetables near the ground indoors. They also come in the Chilli Pepper variable, which is equally fantastic.
Back to the roots also has an amazing program named ‘Grow One, Give One for the elementary school classroom. You can participate in this program by buying their gardening kit.
As a part of this program, you will have to share a picture of your Indoor Garden, use the hashtag, and tag them on social media. On your behalf, they will donate a kit to any elementary school classroom that you choose. It is a really exciting program you can find the information about it on the packaging.
All of their gardening kits and seeds are 100% guaranteed to grow. In case they do not grow, then you can contact the company and ask for a replacement. They will provide you with one as soon as possible.
- 100% Germination Guarantee.
- Great for beginners.
Seed Packets
There are a lot of EBT-eligible plants Seeds that are easily available on websites like Amazon. You can find various companies selling EBT-eligible plants. From the multiple options available, you can buy basic seed packets with food stamps. Just note that some of these basic seed packets might be quite expensive compared to local retailers.
One of the very useful and great seed packets that I personally vouch for is the Burpee Sugar Snap Pea seeds packet. Difficult seeds packet in multiple variants of 200 seeds, 225 seeds, 300 seeds, and 900 seeds. They also come in various styles, such as Garden Sweet Pea, Easy Peasy, and Little SnapPea.
They are GMO-free high-quality seeds, and the expected blooming period for the seeds is spring. They require full sunlight exposure and are required to be well watered during the growing season. Thus, it is recommended to sow the seeds outdoors.
Generally, the height of the plants can reach up to 48”. You can find nearly 1,000 vegetables, herbs, and flower seeds of this brand on Amazon that are eligible.
Personally, I used these plant seeds and can vouch for them. Each of the 300 seeds sprouted in my garden in just 5 days!
- 100% Germination
- Quick Growth
Aerogarden Indoor Garden Pods
The AeroGarden Salad Bar Seed Pod Kit is an amazing gardening kit that comes with EBT-Eligible plants Amazon. This great package of seeds comes with 9 Lettuce Pods, Red Sail, Marvel of 4 Seasons, Rouge D’Hiver, 3 Herb Pods (Chives, Dill, & Genovese Basil), and 12 Tomato Pods, Red Heirloom Cherry Tomato 6, Deer Tongue, and Parris Island.
Apart from that, it also comes with 12 oz bottles of patented, specially formulated Liquid Nutrients and a guide with step-by-step instructions on how to grow the plants. The plant spacers can help you make more growing space so that the plants grow well. The best part is that this seed pot is compatible with all the AeroGarden Models.
One of the best things about AeroGardens overall is that these plants are very easy to grow. All you have to do is drop the seeds and watch them grow without the fuss of soil or any mess. They also germinate super fast.
The seeds are GMO-Free. You do not have to use any pesticides or herbicides to grow the plants. AeroGarden provides a 100% Germination Guarantee. They will replace your seed pot if it does not sprout.
Talking from my personal experience, I was not really completely aware of AeroGardens. A hydroponic garden was quite new for me. But I am glad I chose this brand to start my hydroponic journey. The fact that I do not have to work with soil and make a mess around is the most relaxing part for me.
Just note that you cannot buy the kit using EBT since it is not eligible. But you can use EBT to buy the pods after the first time. This is just the one drawback we found with AeroGarden.
- Great for Hydroponic Garden.
- No soil, no mess.
Back to the Roots Gardening Set – $18
The Back to the Roots Organic Oyster Mushroom Grow Kit is a great option for growing EBT-eligible Plants. With this gardening kit, you can easily harvest Gourmet Mushrooms in just 10 Days.
They come in different variants – Mushroom Kit + Fabric Grow Beds, Mini Mushroom Kit, Pink Oyster Mushroom Kit, Mini Mushroom Kit + Terrarium Grow Kit, and Mushroom Kit.
These plants are for Indoor Usage and their Expected Blooming Period is year-round. The plants can grow at the height of up to 65 cm. The seeds are organic and GMO-Free. So you do not have to worry about any intoxicants that may interrupt your plant’s growth.
It is actually quite easy to grow these plants. You just have to place the box close to a window in indirect sunlight. Simply mist them twice a day, and you will notice amazing mushrooms growing in just a week. They give you a detailed growing guide with all the necessary instructions to take care of your plants well.
As you might already know by now, Back to the Roots is a brand that offers 100% Guaranteed to grow. So, if you are not satisfied with the plants’ growth, you can simply contact them, and they will send you a replacement.
- The blooming period is year-round.
- Easy to grow, beginner friendly.
Augason Farms Seed Storage
The Augason Farms 5-14000 Vegetable Garden Seeds with 13 hardy seed Varieties and is known to yield around 2300 pounds of fresh produce. The seeds are non-GMO and Non-hybrid and thus a great option to grow EBT-Eligible Plants. They also have a shelf life of 4 years!
They come with a first-rate flavor and great yields. These seeds can be adaptable to almost any area. You can also find a growing guide that mentions details on how to grow the plants. These open-pollinated seeds, also known as heirloom seeds, are very much a safe option in case of emergency situations because of their amazing shelf life.
Their description of the product does not exactly mention the seeds provided in this package, but according to many people, the seeds they come with are – Zucchini, Green beans, Spinach, Tomatoes, Carrots, Onion, Bell Peppers, Cantaloupe, Lettuce, Corn, Peas, Cucumbers and Squash.
- Great Variety of Seeds
- Amazing Shelf-Life.
Live Plants Pack – $32
The Live Aromatic and Edible Herb Assortment Plants Pack come with 6 amazing plants – Mint, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Eucalyptus, chamomile, rosemary, lemon balm, oregano, thyme, and other Assorted Herbs.
This Live plant pack typically constitutes some great herbs that have not just medical use but are also often great for cooking. These EBT-eligible plants are ideal for outdoor usage.
Their expected blooming period is Spring. They are zone-specific, require partial to full sun exposure, and grow to a height of up to 48 inches. They can be grown in well-draining soil.
Their packaging is quite sturdy, with a few holes for the circulation of air. However, some people have complained about the improper packaging of the plants inside. Since this is a live plants package, the experience with them might differ for various people, depending on the weather conditions in that area.
- Assorted Herbs
- Live Plants delivered.
Where Can I Buy Plants With SNAP Benefits?
You can check our detailed guide on Where to Buy Plants with your EBT Card? to know the exact places from where you can Buy Plants With EBT SNAP Benefits.
Similar to other EBT-eligible products, you can buy plants with SNAP benefits at any of the SNAP retailers. You can buy plants using EBT Benefits at all the places that accept your SNAP card.
Some of the most common places to buy plants with an EBT card are snap supermarkets Safeway, Target, Walmart, etc., and some eligible farmers markets.
Note that not all the snap retailers would have plants or seeds available at their stores. So it might become quite convenient for you to find a snap retailer that EBT-eligible plants and seeds.
The best option, in this case, is using websites such as Amazon that list thousands of EBT-eligible plants and seeds for you. You can simply search for EBT-eligible plants or put the EBT filter on to buy plants and seeds that are EBT-eligible.
In my opinion, it is always better to buy plants and seeds on Amazon since you know what you are getting under EBT benefits. In the case of Snap, supermarkets are stores and even some farmers’ markets; the owner might not be aware of the updated snap rules.
I have known many people who have faced this issue right at the checkout, where the owner does not agree to accept an EBT card as a payment method. So make sure that you are well aware of the store and if they accept it for plants and seeds or not. Although it is mandatory by law, many people are or choose to be unaware of these facts.
Frequently Asked Questions about EBT-Eligible Plants
Given below are some of the most frequently asked questions about EBT-eligible plants and seeds. If you are thinking about buying plants and seeds that are eligible for EBT, then you might find the below questions and their answers quite useful.
Can I Use My SNAP EBT Card to Buy Seeds and Plants to Grow My Own Food?
Yes, you can use your EBT SNAP card to buy seeds and plants to grow your own food. If you are a participant of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, then as a part of its benefits, you can buy EBT-Eligible plants and seeds using an EBT SNAP Card. All the SNAP Retailers and eligible Farmers’ Markets sell plants and seeds that are EBT-Eligible to eligible households.
Can I buy a gardening kit using EBT SNAP benefits?
Yes, you can. As we mentioned above, a lot of EBT-eligible plants come with their complete setup, including the pots, necessary organic fertilizers, and even a detailed guide on how to grow the plant, along with various other plant-specific accessories. Thus, you get a complete gardening kit when you buy such EBT-eligible plants and seeds.
What Plants are eligible for EBT SNAP Benefits?
The majority of the vegetable and fruit-bearing plants, as well as plants that produce edible Herbs and spices, are eligible for EBT snap benefits according to the food and nutrition act.
Most vegetables like potatoes, squash, greens, and Herbs such as cumin, anise, etc., are eligible for EBT benefits. You can simply go to websites like Amazon and add the filter and search for plant seeds. You will find a thousand EBT-eligible plants and seeds.
Why can you buy plants and seeds with EBT?
According to the federal rules for the supplemental nutrition assistance program, All Eligible households are allowed to purchase food and grocery items for themselves. Along with the various food and grocery items available at the retailer, one can also buy many other products, such as plants and seeds.
Prior to 2018, there was quite an uncertainty about the inclusion of plants and seeds under EBT-Eligible items. However, the USDA clarified that Seeds for producing edible plants and edible plants are eligible to purchase using an EBT SNAP card.
The whole reason for introducing the SNAP program for low-income families was to ensure that they get the necessary nutrients for growth. And what would be more nutritious than growing your own plants without the use of any harmful pesticides or herbicides?
To make sure that low-income families get access to nutritious food, the USDA included plants and seeds under EBT-Eligible items so that people can grow plants on their own and eat organic food.
Final Words
That was all about EBT-Eligible plants and seeds. If you know of any more such amazing plants and gardening kits that can be bought using a b a card, then do let us know in the comments below. Many people might find this very helpful.
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