When you buy a packet of seeds, what percentage germination rate do you expect?

Rate of germination should be printed on the packet along with the year you plant. Here’s an example of a seed packet being decoded.

@Tropical_Willie I don’t live in the US.

I’d say from my experience about an 60–80% germination factor but of course, it will also depend on the species of flower, plant, veggie. I have never been able to get Moonflowers to grow in my zone, they may germinate but for whatever reason they end up rotting on me. haha

At the risk of sounding like a smart ass, I’ll quote one of my dad’s favorite sayings:
“How long is a stick?”

Temperature, soil, zone, moisture, light etc, etc are all going to influence the germination rate.
If conditions are optimal, you may get 100% germination.
If any one of the conditions are totally off, you might end up like @Coloma‘s Moonflowers with 0% success.

If you buy fresh seeds from a reputable commercial the potential for near 100% germination exists.
The realization of that potential is largely up to you.

@ibstubro In answer to the stick question : twice half its length.

I didn’t mention ‘conditions being optimum’ because I know they never are.

Perhaps I should have asked, ‘in your personal experience’?

You mean like petunia seeds? I lost count.

Personally, if I buy fresh seeds from a reputable commercial supplier, I feel the potential for near 100% germination exists.
The realization of that potential is largely up to me and my ability to optimize the conditions.

In my experience, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds from new seed pack are 100%. I put 2 in a hole and always have to thin them.

If I follow the instructions it’s about 80% success. If I don’t then it’s much lower at about 20%. I’m a bit of a chuck it at the soil and see what happens kind of gardener. Most times things grow and if not then they wouldn’t have survived the neglect anyway…