Can I use my own seeds in Oliver?

The short answer? Yes, you can.

The slightly longer answer? You can—but it's worth knowing what to expect.

How the system is designed

Our growing system is built around capsules that contain:

• seeds
• precisely balanced nutrients
• a growing medium designed to support healthy development from day one

Each capsule is designed to:

• support the plant throughout its entire life cycle (typically up to 3 months)
• deliver nutrients in the right proportions
• work without any mixing, measuring or fine-tuning

The whole system is designed to work together—including the smart lighting.

The lights automatically adjust their intensity and schedule to match the specific plants growing in your Oliver. Not just "some light," but the right light for each type of herb.

In other words, it works because every part of the system is designed as a whole.

What happens if you use your own seeds?

You absolutely can—but there are a few trade-offs.

With your own seeds:

• the system isn't optimised for bare seeds
• they won't receive the capsule's controlled nutrient supply
• they won't have the growing environment the system is designed for
• Oliver won't know what you're growing

And that last point makes a real difference.

If you plant your own seeds, the smart lighting:

• won't recognise the type of plant
• automatically switches to a universal lighting mode

That mode works well for most plants—but it isn't necessarily the optimal setting for every one of them.

Why our capsules perform better

Our capsules:

• contain a nutrient blend tailored to each specific plant
• provide a stable start thanks to capillary wicks and gradual watering
• work together with a system that knows exactly what you're growing, including the smart lighting
• are thoroughly tested to deliver consistent, predictable results

That means you don't have to wonder:

• when or how to fertilise
• why a plant has suddenly stopped growing
• whether it's getting the right amount of light

If you enjoy experimenting and don't mind that the results may vary, feel free to try your own seeds.

But if you're looking for:

• reliable growth
• minimal maintenance
• predictable results

our capsules are the option the system was designed for.