Kratom Seeds and Plants in Canada: Can You Grow Kratom Here?
Thinking about kratom seeds in Canada? You can keep a kratom tree here, but only indoors or in a heated greenhouse, and it is hard work. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a tropical evergreen tree from Southeast Asia, and frost kills it. Also, its seeds are tiny and lose their ability to sprout quickly, so most seed orders fail. Owning the plant is not a crime in Canada, because kratom is not a controlled substance. However, seeds and live plants from abroad must meet Canadian import rules. In short, a home plant is a botanical project, not a practical source of kratom leaf.
What Kind of Plant Is Kratom?
Kratom is a tree in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). It grows wild in the humid lowland forests of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. In nature, it becomes a large tree with broad, glossy leaves. Our guide to Mitragyna speciosa covers its botany in detail. In addition, where kratom comes from explains why most kratom sold today comes from Indonesia.
Why Kratom Seeds So Often Fail
- They are tiny. Each seed is a speck with a papery wing, carried in small round seed heads.
- They do not stay alive long. Kratom seeds lose their ability to sprout soon after harvest. So seeds that spend weeks in storage and in the mail often do not come up at all.
- Seedlings are delicate. The few that sprout need steady warmth, high humidity and constant moisture, but never soggy soil.
Because of this, people who keep kratom trees usually start from a rooted cutting or a young potted plant instead of seed. That is also why most kratom seeds shipped to Canada never grow.
What a Kratom Tree Needs in a Canadian Home
- Warmth all year. No frost, ever, and no cold drafts. A Canadian winter outdoors will kill it.
- High humidity. Dry winter air indoors is a problem, so growers use humidifiers, grow tents or greenhouses.
- Bright light. A sunny window helps in summer. Still, most indoor growers add grow lights through the darker months.
- Rich, moist soil that drains well, plus a large pot, because the roots grow fast when the plant is happy.
- Patience. A young plant takes time before it carries many full-sized leaves.
Is It Legal to Grow Kratom in Canada?
Kratom is not on Canada’s list of controlled substances, so owning the plant is not a criminal matter. Still, two other sets of rules apply:
- Health Canada has not authorized any kratom product for sale as a health product or for eating or drinking. Growing a plant does not change that. Read Is kratom legal in Canada? for the full picture.
- Plant import rules. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) controls plants and seeds that enter Canada, to keep out pests and diseases. Live plants in soil and some seeds need papers, such as a plant health certificate, or are not allowed at all. So before you order kratom seeds from outside Canada, check the CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS). Health Canada has also said it works with the border agency to stop kratom products from entering Canada. Our guide to kratom and the Canadian border explains what that means for parcels.
Will a Home-Grown Plant Give You Usable Kratom?
Realistically, no, not in the amounts or the consistency most people expect. A potted indoor tree produces a modest number of leaves. Its alkaloid content, which is the level of its natural compounds, also depends on light, heat, soil and leaf age. As a result, one plant’s leaves can differ a great deal from leaf grown on mature trees in Southeast Asia. Commercial kratom also goes through careful drying, milling and testing. Our guide to how kratom leaf becomes powder walks through each step.
If your interest is the plant itself, a kratom tree can be a rewarding tropical houseplant. If you want kratom powder, though, buying lab-tested powder is simpler. An outside lab tests every batch we sell for heavy metals, bacteria and mould, and it measures the alkaloid content. You can browse the strains in our shop.
Please note: we do not sell kratom seeds or plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you buy kratom seeds in Canada?
Some sellers offer them, mostly from outside Canada. However, the seeds lose their ability to sprout quickly, and imports must meet CFIA plant import rules. As a result, many orders never grow.
Can kratom grow outside in Canada?
Not all year. Kratom is a tropical tree, and frost kills it. Some growers move potted trees outside in warm summer months, then bring them in well before the first cold night.
Is it legal to own a kratom plant in Canada?
Kratom is not a controlled substance in Canada, so owning the plant is not a criminal offence. Health Canada has not authorized any kratom product for eating or drinking, and imported plants and seeds must meet CFIA rules.
How long does a kratom tree take to grow?
It depends on warmth, light and humidity. Indoors in Canada, growth slows sharply in winter unless the plant gets grow lights and steady heat. So expect a slow start.
Is kratom related to coffee?
Yes. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) belongs to the Rubiaceae family, the same plant family as coffee.
Shop lab-tested kratom
Same-day delivery across the Greater Toronto Area · Canada-wide shipping from Vaughan, Ontario.
Related guides
Mitragyna Speciosa: The Kratom Tree Explained
The coffee-family tree behind kratom: what it looks like, where it grows and how the leaf is harvested.
From Kratom Leaf to Powder: How Kratom Is Made
How fresh kratom leaf is picked, dried, milled and tested before it becomes powder.
Where Does Kratom Come From? Kratom Source Regions Explained
The regions that grow most of the world’s kratom, and why Indonesia leads.