About

Plants that are functional, and pretty.

Yes, covering your limited balcony space with tomatoes is practical… but will it bring you the joy that baskets of petunias would?

Whoever is under the impression that science cannot be fun hasn’t met Jessa Hughes. Vicia Genetics was created out of a love for science, art, creativity, community, urban agriculture and horticulture. We are a start up breeding and research company aspiring to bring unique and beautiful products to the edible ornamental market… and having fun along the way!

Our Products

A more sustainable future.

Aside from exciting business goals Vicia is passionate about providing products for a more sustainable future. Food insecurity is everywhere, including in our home country Canada. Canada produces millions of acres of crop every year and yet- according to Food Banks Canada 1 in 8 households are food insecure.

Although food insecurity is an incredibly complex issue, we believe some of the challenges come from individuals general inability to produce their own food. Agriculture has become so modernized that the basic human skill of feeding ourselves has become something intangible without a supermarket nearby.

So lets bring back the skills of gardening.

So, why Faba Beans?

Vicia faba is our flagship product. Here's why.

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01. Underrated

Faba beans are one of the most under appreciated crops of today. Humans have been cultivating and consuming them for hundreds of years, however they are still a minor crop in many areas of the world. Faba beans produce more protein per unit of land than any other field crop, and are also able to fix their own nitrogen.

02. Genetic Potential

Aside from their many field applications, faba beans have a beautiful and complex diversity of traits for horticultural purposes. These traits and genotypes are what Vicia Genetics is developing for the ornamental market.

03. A jumping off point

Faba bean was the inspiration for Vicia Genetics, however we are not stopping there! Many edible plants have beautiful untapped diversity, that can be brought to life with a little bit of love and science! We currently have many other plant species in the research pipeline.