The term 'Plant STARTER' can be broken down into two words, 'SEED' and 'STARTER'. A SEED is a small embryonic plant enclosed in a covering called the SEED coat, usually with some stored food. It is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant. A STARTER is a substance that helps to initiate or accelerate a chemical reaction, such as a fertilizer or pesticide. Plant starters are used to help promote the growth of plants by providing nutrients and protection from pests.