15 Seeds For a Game of Thrones-Inspired Garden

Game of Thrones is a massive book and TV phenomenon. You probably won’t be surprised to hear it is one of the most-watched series of all time, if not the most, depending on the metrics you use. It completely entranced audiences worldwide each week it aired and continues to have a loyal fanbase (or at least formally loyal, based on your finale opinions).

For gardeners who form part of this fan club, you can create an entire garden inspired by elements of the series. This selection of seeds covers all the main themes, from royal battles to specific character references that celebrate the epic tale of ice and fire. And if you haven’t watched it yet, don’t worry—no spoilers ahead.

The Iron Throne Seed Bundle

The Iron Throne Bundle was forged in the fiery imagination of Game of Thrones fans.

Bundle includes:

• Black Swan Poppy
• Black Knight Scabiosa
• Sun Gold Tomato
• Shades of Blue Larkspur
• All Kinds and Forms Mix Cactus
• Green Globe Improved Artichoke
• Galeux d’Eysines Pumpkin
• Ghost Bhut Jolokia Pepper
• Organic Bloomsdale 
• Dragon Fennel
• Winter Savory
• Ice Queen Crisphead Lettuce
• Organic King Richard Leek
• Oregon Sugar Pod II Snow Pea

buy at Botanical Interests

Sea Holly Steel Blue

Recreate the defenses of Westeros castles in your garden with the beautiful spiked ‘Steel Blue’ sea holly. The architectural structure brings interesting textures to your garden beds, much like the imposing walls of Winterfell.

‘Steel Blue’ is not all about looks. It’s also a tough plant that thrives in poor soil, heat, and drought. If you’re a beginner gardener or need to fill an area of your garden where other plants struggle to grow, these seeds are ideal. The flowers also attract pollinators en masse while being deer and rabbit-resistant.

Along with its defensive symbolism, sea holly’s unique metallic hue is also perfect for a Game of Thrones-inspired garden. This perennial embodies resilience in look and growth habit, characteristics much celebrated throughout the realms of Westeros.

Poppy Black Swan

Milk of the poppy is a medicinal substance used for pain relief that frequently pops up in the Game of Thrones series. While I would never suggest you recreate it in your own garden, you can give a nod to poppies by growing the stunning cultivar ‘Black Swan’.

‘Black Swan’ doesn’t look like the traditional poppy you may be picturing. This variety has dramatic, dark burgundy blooms and ruffled petals that stand out in the garden and in a vase. They are part of the breadseed poppy group from which we source edible seeds.

Grow these poppies in a sunny spot to maximize their flowering potential. Reaching up to three feet tall, they’re ideal for planting in mixed beds where the flowers will still stand out. The seed pods can be dried for ornamental arrangements, too.

Scabiosa Black Knight

Continuing with dark and dramatic burgundy blooms, ‘Black Knight’ scabiosa is a great pairing with ‘Black Swan’. The name evokes images of the all-black wearing members of the Night’s Watch (although these flowers are far prettier).

This variety produces velvety maroon flowers that resemble ornate pincushions, giving them their common name. When planted in bunches, their rich, dark hues add a wall of wonder—just like the Wall of the Night’s Watch.

‘Black Knight’ attracts beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, supporting your garden ecosystem. The long stems are excellent for cut flower arrangements, bringing a piece of your Game of Thrones-inspired garden indoors.

Tomato Sun Gold

The wealth of House Lannister is legendary, symbolized by their golden lion sigil. Tomato ‘Sun Gold’ brings that opulent gold color into your garden. Packed with flavor, you’ll definitely feel as rich as a Lannister when you’re harvesting these delicious cherry tomatoes.

‘Sun Gold’ is one of the most sought-after cherry tomatoes, known for its intensely sweet fruits. These fruits also bring a wonderful pop of color that you won’t typically find in store-bought tomatoes. It’s hard to resist eating them fresh straight off the vine, but they are also great for roasting.

Share the golden harvest with friends and family to celebrate your riches. It’s a delicious way to reference the house known for always paying its debts.

Larkspur Shades of Blue

While ‘Sun Gold’ tomatoes bring warmth, ‘Shades of Blue’ larkspur has cool-toned flowers that emulate winter and the White Walkers. The tall blooms are sky blue to deep indigo, a range of icy hues befitting these famous creatures.

Larkspur’s delicate flowers appear in the cooler months of late spring and early summer, slowing in the heat of mid-summer. Plant them en masse to create a sea of blue that sways gently in the breeze, reminiscent of the cold mists of the North. The flowers also attract hummingbirds and butterflies.

The flowers are great for arrangements, both fresh and dried. You can also use the larkspur’s dried flowers in crafts or decorations to bring that Game of Thrones inspiration indoors. If you’re having a rewatch party or a book club, you know which flowers to decorate with.

Cactus All Kinds and Forms Mix

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to grow cacti from seed, it is. And it’s a rewarding activity ideal for a Game of Thrones-inspired garden. This seed mix includes various spiky cacti that symbolize defense and resilience. Much like the unforgiving deserts of Essos or the fortified cities, these plants thrive in tough conditions.

Cacti are one of the most low-maintenance groups of plants you can grow. As long as you don’t overwater them, you can pretty much forget about them, and they will thrive. Unlike some other flowers and vegetables, they bring unique textures and spiky forms that are hard to replicate with other plants.

These seeds are slow to germinate. But once they get started, you can add them to rock gardens, containers, or keep them as striking standalone species. Create a mini desert landscape with these cacti to transport you to the arid regions of the series.

Artichoke Green Globe Improved

Artichokes are the perfect foodscaping crop. Yes, you can harvest them to use in the kitchen. But they also have an impressive sculptural look that looks right at home in any ornamental garden. ‘Green Globe Improved’ adds a layer of Game of Thrones symbolism with its thistle-like appearance.

The architectural look adds height and structure to your garden, whether in raised beds or large containers. Their silvery-green foliage and large, edible buds make them both ornamental and practical.

In literature and art, thistles often represent nobility and endurance. Incorporating artichokes into your garden can symbolize the strength and hidden vulnerabilities of characters of the series, adding secret meaning to your personal Westeros-inspired garden. Their perennial nature means they’ll return year after year.

Pumpkin Galeux d’Eysines

The pumpkin ‘Galeux d’Eysines’ is as intriguing as its name suggests. This heirloom variety develops unique growths on its skin, resembling scars. It’s a fitting homage to Sandor Clegane, known as “The Hound,” whose burn scars tell a story of pain and complexity.

Growing this pumpkin is sure to turn heads in your garden, not just for the color but also the texture. The salmon-peach skin features peanut-like bumps that give it its common name, ‘peanut pumpkin’. These are formed by sugar crystalizing underneath the skin of the pumpkin.

Plant ‘Galeux d’Eysines’ in a sunny spot with ample space to spread. The flavor of the pumpkin flesh is sweet, often used in soups and sauces in French cooking.

Pepper Ghost Bhut Jolokia

Jon Snow’s loyal dire wolf, Ghost, deserves a mention in any Game of Thrones-inspired garden. The best way to do that is with the ‘Bhut Jolokia’ ghost pepper. Known as one of the hottest peppers in the world, it brings the heat in any dish. Much like the famous surprises in the series, these peppers aren’t for the faint-hearted.

The wrinkled, red-orange fruits pack a punch in the garden and the kitchen. But be careful—at over one million Scoville units, any accidental contact with your eyes or mouth will cause some serious pain.

These peppers add a bold statement to your edible garden and to sizzling dishes that warm you from the inside out. The seeds need plenty of warmth to germinate well, so make sure you have a heating mat (and possibly a set of grow lights) ready to go.

Spinach Bloomsdale

The Ironborn, the seafaring people from the Game of Thrones series, are known for their independence and strength. Spinach, a leafy green rich in iron, is a subtle nod to this group in a Game of Thrones-inspired garden. Incorporating this nutrient-dense green into your garden pays homage to the folk who live by the words, “What is dead may never die”.

‘Bloomsdale’ spinach has deep green, crinkled leaves that are both tasty and nutritious. These leaves are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, good for salads, stir fries, and even green smoothies. You’ll always find a use for this crop in your meals.

Spinach thrives in cooler weather, planted in early spring or fall depending on your climate. Its quick growth means you’ll have plenty of iron-rich leaves to enjoy in as little as 28 days. If you don’t have much space in your vegetable garden, they also grow well in containers.

Fennel Dragon

No Game of Thrones-inspired garden would be complete without a nod to dragons. Fennel ‘Dragon’ brings this mythical element to life with feathery foliage and towering stems. The plant’s name and striking appearance capture the feel of dragons soaring across the skies—an image this series is known for.

In the garden, fennel adds both visual interest and culinary value. The bulb, leaves, and seeds are all edible, adding an anise-like flavor to dishes. Since the flavor is strong, you only need a little fennel to go a long way. 

Beyond its usefulness in the kitchen, fennel is also beneficial in the garden. The plant attracts beneficial insects like ladybugs and parasitic wasps to manage garden pests. Just don’t plant it next to your other edible crops, as it doesn’t make the best companion.

Winter Savory

As someone who was late to the Game of Thrones frenzy, the one phrase I always recognized without knowing anything about the plot is ‘Winter is Coming’. And for that, I’ve added winter savory to this list.

Winter savory is a hardy herb that thrives in cooler conditions (as opposed to summer savory, better for growing in the warmer months). It’s a great herb to grow when other heat-loving species struggle, appreciating temperature drops and thriving in the cool of fall.

If you’ve never tried winter savory before, the flavor is perfect for winter dishes. It’s described as a combination of mint, thyme, and pepper that has a pine-like finish. The aromatic leaves are ideal for seasoning hearty holiday dishes that turn ‘winter is coming’ into a positive.

Ice Queen Crisphead Lettuce

Celebrate the central theme in A Song of Ice and Fire with ‘Ice Queen’ lettuce. This variety forms tight, crisp heads (hence the name) with a wonderfully refreshing taste. They are a staple of salads and sandwiches, fitting well into a stacker garden.

‘Ice Queen’ is a fast-growing crop that can be sown multiple times throughout the season for a continuous harvest. The name is not the only reference to the series. This lettuce is also wonderfully cold tolerant, managing icy temperatures well.

Creating themed dishes with ‘Ice Queen’ lettuce can add a fun twist to your meals. For your next Game of Thrones watch party, make a winter salad with this lettuce as your base, adding other elements from this list that fit the series’ theme.

Leek King Richard

Royalty is an important theme in Game of Thrones, which is why I had to include the ‘King Richard’ leek. This reliable performer is beloved by gardeners and home cooks.

‘King Richard’ is an heirloom that produces slender stalks with a delicious flavor store-bought leeks can’t compete with. Both the regal name and stature of the plant make it fitting for the Iron Throne.

Leeks are versatile in the kitchen. They add the allium flavor of onions but with less intensity, suitable for use in a wide range of dishes. They can be eaten fresh, but are most common in winter soups and stews. Their upright growth habit also adds some vertical interest to your raised beds.

Oregon Sugar Pod II Snow Peas

This list would not be complete without a reference to Jon Snow, found in the ‘Oregon Sugar Pod II’ snow pea. The association with snow ties to the beloved Game of Thrones character.

This variety produces abundant pods that are sweet and crisp. These are harvested and eaten when the pods are flat, just before the seeds form. They are delicious when eaten fresh but also work well in salads and stir fries when gently cooked.

Snow peas thrive in cooler temperatures and are among the first crops to harvest in spring. The delicate white flowers and climbing vines look great wherever they are placed. Plus, the vines can be trained along a trellis to save space in smaller vegetable gardens.