Buzz
Bees are in desperate need of assistance. Over the past decade, a crisis known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has decimated honeybee populations globally. While beekeepers typically lose 10–15% of their hives annually, since 2006, losses have skyrocketed to 30–90%. Researchers attribute CCD to a mix of pesticides, parasites, and the dwindling availability of wildflowers due to increasing land development.
Seedles offers a solution. Each seed bomb is filled with wildflower seeds, compost, and vibrant clay. Planting is effortless—simply toss them on the ground and let nature take its course. According to the company's website, these colorful seed bombs "virtually grow on their own."
With six varieties tailored to different regions, bee enthusiasts can plant native flowers perfectly suited to their local environment.
Seedles was founded by San Francisco residents Ei Ei Khin and Chris Burley, a duo who originally aimed to inspire the planting of one million flowers. By 2014, they had exceeded this goal. In a message to mental_floss, Burley (now the company's "pollinator-in-chief") shared their new ambition: to grow a billion flowers to support bees.
Khin and Burley are deeply invested in the critical relationship between honeybees and our agricultural systems. Out of the top 100 crops in the U.S., 70 rely on bees for pollination; without them, staples like apples, almonds, carrots, and avocados could disappear. To raise awareness and engagement, Seedles collaborates with local food businesses to distribute free seed bombs.
The seed bombs are visually appealing, easy to use, safe, and nearly impossible to mess up, making them ideal for educational purposes. Children, including Khin and Burley's toddler, Orion, enjoy tossing these colorful clay spheres.
All images courtesy of Seedles
