Leech Seed (move)

Leech Seed やどりぎのタネ Mistletoe Seed

Battles Type  Grass Category  Status PP  10 (max. 16) Power  — Accuracy  90% Priority  0 Does not make contact Affected by Protect Affected by Magic Coat and Magic Bounce Not affected by Snatch Not affected by King's Rock

Range Opponent Opponent Opponent Self Ally Ally Normal: May affect anyone adjacent to the user

Availability Introduced  Generation I Not a TM, TR, HM, or Move Tutor move.

Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  2 ♥♥ Jam  2 ♥♥ Startles all Pokémon that have done their appeals.

Super Contests Condition  Smart Appeal  0   Earn a higher score the later the Pokémon performs.

Contest Spectaculars Condition  Smart Appeal  0   Jamming  0

On Smogon's Movedex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX

Leech Seed (Japanese: やどりぎのタネ Mistletoe Seed) is a non-damaging Grass-type move introduced in Generation I.

Effect

Generation I

Leech Seed plants a seed on the target. At the end of each turn that the target is under the effect of Leech Seed, 1/16 of the target's HP will be drained, and the same amount of HP will be restored to the target's opponent (even if it was not the Pokémon that originally used the attack). Recurrent Leech Seed draining will not occur if the seeded Pokémon defeats the target. Unlike other types of damage, the recurrent damage done by Leech Seed can exceed the target's current HP. Leech Seed will not work against Grass-type Pokémon.

If the target has less than 16 HP, Leech Seed will drain 1 HP per turn. Leech Seed draining will occur even if the seeded Pokémon knocks itself out with crash damage, recoil damage, or self-inflicted confusion damage, or by making a substitute before the end of its turn. Draining from Leech Seed is done after continuing partial trapping damage and recurrent poison or burn damage. Leech Seed can be removed by Haze or switching. If the target is seeded during a round that it switches in, it will take recurrent damage during that round, but only if its speed is less than or equal to the user's speed.

If the target of Leech Seed is also under the effect of Toxic, Leech Seed damage will increase every turn as the N value of Toxic increases because Leech Seed and Toxic both use the same damage algorithm ( N × max (1, int (0.0625 × Max HP)). If the current HP of the recipient of Leech Seed's HP-restoring effect is greater than its maximum HP, its current HP will be set equal to its maximum HP.

In the Pokémon Stadium series, Leech Seed will not work against a target with a substitute.

Generation II

1/8 of the target's HP is drained instead. Rapid Spin will release a Pokémon from the effects of Leech Seed. Also, Leech Seed's effects on the move Toxic are no longer present.

Generation III

In a Double Battle, Leech Seed will only heal the Pokémon in the position that used Leech Seed. If the Trainer only has two Pokémon left, and the Pokémon that was being healed by Leech Seed is knocked out, the effect of Leech Seed simply disappears rather than transferring over to the remaining Pokémon.

Generation IV and on

If the user has a Big Root as its held item, it will recover 30% more HP than it normally would. Big Root does not increase damage dealt. All other effects remain the same.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

Leech Seed is one of the random outcomes of Togepi's Metronome. All characters within the area of effect will receive a flower on their head that saps 5% health every few seconds.

Description

Games Description Plants a seed on the target Pokémon. The seed slowly drains the target's HP for the attacker. Plants a seed on the target Pokémon. It slowly drains the target's HP for the attacker. Steals HP from the foe on every turn. RSE Plants a seed on the foe to steal HP on every turn. FRLG A seed is planted on the foe to steal some HP for the user on every turn. Plants a seed on the target to steal HP on every turn. A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe to heal the user on every turn. A seed is planted on the target. It steals some HP from the target every turn.

Learnset

By leveling up

#	Pokémon		Type		Level
					I		II		III		IV		V		VI
001		Bulbasaur	Grass	Poison	7			7			7			7				7			7
002		Ivysaur	Grass	Poison	--, 7			--, 7			--, 7			--, 7				--, 7			--, 7
003		Venusaur	Grass	Poison	--, 7			--, 7			--, 7			--, 7				--, 7			--, 7
102		Exeggcute	Grass	Psychic	28			13			13			11				11			'
187		Hoppip	Grass	Flying				20			20			22				22			22
188		Skiploom	Grass	Flying				22			22			24				24			'
189		Jumpluff	Grass	Flying				22			22			24				24			'
191		Sunkern	Grass		Grass										17				17	13	'
192		Sunflora	Grass		Grass										17				17	13	'
251		Celebi	Psychic	Grass				--			--			--				--			'
285		Shroomish	Grass		Grass							10			13				13			'
286		Breloom	Grass	Fighting							--, 10			--, 13				--, 13			'
315		Roselia	Grass	Poison							21			16				16			'
331		Cacnea	Grass		Grass							13			13				13			'
332		Cacturne	Grass	Dark							13			13				13			'
387		Turtwig	Grass		Grass										29				29			'
388		Grotle	Grass		Grass										32				32			'
389		Torterra	Grass	Ground										33				33			'
420		Cherubi	Grass		Grass										10				10			'
421		Cherrim	Grass		Grass										10				10			'
492		Shaymin	Grass		Grass										19				19			'
495		Snivy	Grass		Grass														19			'
496		Servine	Grass		Grass														20			'
497		Serperior	Grass		Grass														20			'
511		Pansage	Grass		Grass														16			'
546		Cottonee	Grass		Grass														8			'
547		Whimsicott	Grass		Grass														--			'
548		Petilil	Grass		Grass														8			'
549		Lilligant	Grass		Grass														--			'
585		Deerling	Normal	Grass														13			'
586		Sawsbuck	Normal	Grass														13			'
650		Chespin	Grass		Grass																	15
651		Quilladin	Grass		Grass																	15
652		Chesnaught	Grass	Fighting																	15
672		Skiddo	Grass		Grass																	12
673		Gogoat	Grass		Grass																	12
708		Phantump	Grass	Ghost																	23
709		Trevenant	Grass	Ghost																	23
710		Pumpkaboo	Grass	Ghost																	20
711		Gourgeist	Grass	Ghost																	20
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By breeding

#	Pokémon		Type		Father
					II		III		IV		V		VI
046		Paras	Grass	Bug
114		Tangela	Grass		Grass
152		Chikorita	Grass		Grass
191		Sunkern	Grass		Grass
252		Treecko	Grass		Grass
270		Lotad	Water	Grass
273		Seedot	Grass		Grass
357		Tropius	Grass	Flying
455		Carnivine	Grass		Grass
459		Snover	Grass	Ice
556		Maractus	Grass		Grass
597		Ferroseed	Grass	Steel
Bold indicates a Pokémon gains STAB from this move. Italics indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form receives STAB from this move. A dash (−) indicates a Pokémon cannot learn the move by the designated method. An empty cell indicates a Pokémon that is unavailable in that game/generation.

By event

Generation II

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0043 Oddish Grass Poison New York Pokémon Center Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation III

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0043 Oddish Grass Poison Egg Pokémon Present Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

Generation V

#   Pokémon Type Obtained with 0114 Tangela Grass Dream World - Pleasant Forest 0270 Lotad Water Grass Dream World - Pleasant Forest 0357 Tropius Grass Flying Dream World - Windswept Sky 0556 Maractus Grass Dream World - Rugged Mountain Bold indicates a Pokémon which gets STAB from this move. Italic indicates a Pokémon whose evolution or alternate form gets STAB from this move.

In the anime

Bulbasaur Sunflora Lilligant Skiploom
A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Used In		Notes
	A seed sprouts from Bulbasaur's bulb, which shoots out to the opponent. When hit, the opponent becomes wrapped in thin vines and leaves that restrain it. The vines and leaves then glow red and suck energy from the opponent. Sometimes, the vines have no leaves at all.
Ash's Bulbasaur	The Ninja Poké-Showdown		Debut
	Skiploom shoots one or two seeds from the middle of the flower on top of its head towards the opponent. When hit, the opponent is wrapped in vines that restrain it. The vines then glow red and suck energy from the opponent.
Ephraim's Skippy	The Grass Route		None
	Shroomish shoots multiple seeds from the hole on its head towards the opponent. When the opponent is hit, the seeds sprout vines which wrap around the opponent. The vines glow red and suck energy from the opponent.
Alex's Shroomish	Taming of the Shroomish		None
	Turtwig lowers its head and the sprout on its head releases a brown seed at the opponent. The seed digs into the opponent and sprouts vines which wrap around the opponent and drain its energy.
Gardenia's Turtwig	The Grass-type is Always Greener!		None
	Sunflora releases two brown seeds from the back of its head at the opponent. When the seeds hit the opponent, the seeds sprout vines and wrap up the opponent.
Nando's Sunflora	The Secret Sphere of Influence!		None
	Lilligant releases one giant seed from its head at the opponent.
Mona's Lilligant	Beauties Battling for Pride and Prestige!		None

In the manga

In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Bulbasaur
A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe to heal the user on every turn.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Bulbasaur releases a seed at the opponent from the bulb on its back. When the seed hits it, it sprouts vines that tie up the opponent.
Ash's Bulbasaur	Welcome to the Big Leagues		Debut

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Ivysaur Bulbasaur Sceptile File:White Darling Leech Seed.png Deerling
A seed is planted on the foe. It steals some HP from the foe to heal the user on every turn.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Bulbasaur releases a seed at the opponent from the bulb on its back. When the seed hits it, it sprouts vines that tie up the opponent.
Red's Saur	Gyarados Splashes In!		Debut
	Ivysaur releases a seed at the opponent from the flower bulb on its back. When the seed hits it, it sprouts vines that tie up the opponent.
Red's Saur	Kalling Kadabra		None
	Jumpluff holds its arms above its head and releases a stream of cotton from the cotton puffs on its head and arms at the opponent. The cotton sticks to the opponent and sprout vines that ties up the opponent.
Eusine's Jumpluff	Great Girafarig		None
	Sceptile touches the opponent with the tip of its tail, releasing a seed from it and planting it onto the opponent. The seed then sprouts into vines that wrap around the opponent's body and absorbs its energy, or a vine with leaves on it sprouts from one of the seeds on Sceptile's back and wraps themselves around the opponent, draining its energy.
Emerald's Sceptile	VS Glalie		None
	Deerling shoots multiple seeds from the flower on its head at the opponent.
White's Darling	A Stormy Time in the Battle Subway		None

In the Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure! manga

Cherubi
The user spits out seeds which drains the foe's health.
Pokémon	Method
User	First Chapter Used In		Notes
	Cherubi spits out multiple seeds which attaches onto a Pokémon that was sent out on the opponent's side of the field, touching the ground.
Gardenia's Cherubi	Win with Teamwork!!		Debut

In other generations

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Generation I	RBY	Generation I (Japanese)	Generation I (international)	Generation II	Generation II (Japanese)	Generation II (international)	Crystal	Generation III	Generation III (Japanese)	Generation III (international)	RS	FRLG	FRLGE	Generation IV	Generation IV (Japanese)	Generation IV (international)	PtHGSS	HGSS	Generation V	BW	B2W2	Generation V (Japanese)	Generation V (international)	Generation VI	XY	ORAS	Generation VII	SMUSUM	LGPE	Generation VIII	SwSh	BDSP	Legends: Arceus	Generation IX	Stadium (JP)	Stadium	Stadium 2	Colosseum	XD	Battle Revolution	Battrio	MD: Red and Blue	MD:Time, Darkness, andSky	MD: Blazing, Stormy, & Light Adventure Squad	MD: GTI	SMD	MD: RTDX	Rumble	Rumble Blast	Masters EX

Trivia

• Though Leech Seed cannot affect Grass-type Pokémon in the games, Grass-type Pokémon have been affected in the anime.
• Despite originally being named after parasitic plants that leech nutrients from a host plant, Grass-type Pokémon are immune to the effects of Leech Seed.
• Although Leech Seed's name and in-game descriptions imply the planting of a single seed, three seeds are planted in its in-game animations. In the anime usually just one seed is planted, but sometimes two are. In the manga, only one seed is planted when the attack is used.
• Because all Pokémon that can learn Leech Seed are at least part Grass-type, all Pokémon that can learn Leech Seed are immune to its effects.
  • The exception to this is Smeargle, who can learn Leech Seed via Sketch, and is not immune.

In other languages

Language Title Mandarin Chinese 寄生種子 Jìshēng Zhǒngzǐ Danish Iglefrø Dutch Onttrek HP Finnish Iilisiemen (season 1) Imusiemen (Johto series) Loissiemen (AG) French Vampigraine German Egelsamen Greek Παρασιτικόσπορος Hindi लीच का बीज Leech Ka Beej लिपटने वाली बेल Lipatne Wali Bayl Italian Parassiseme Korean 씨뿌리기 Ssi Ppurigi Norwegian Snyltefrø Polish Nasionko Mocy Portuguese Brazil Semente Sanguessuga Portugal Semente sanguessuga Romanian Sămânța Parazit Serbian Semenka Pijavica Spanish Drenadoras

Variations of the move Leech Seed
Leech Seed • Toxic

This article is part of Project Moves and Abilities, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on two related aspects of the Pokémon games.