Growing a Mini Garden: Easy Flowers to Grow in a Cup

Starting a mini garden by growing flowers in cups is a fun, creative way to add a pop of color and life to any space. With just a few basic supplies, seeds, and a sunny spot, even beginners can cultivate a cupful of gorgeous blooms This simple, small-scale gardening project is ideal for kids, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants to try their hand at plant parenting

Read on to discover some of the easiest flower varieties to grow successfully in cups, along with tips to help your mini blooms thrive indoors or out.

Why Grow Flowers in Cups?

Cultivating a mini flower garden in cups offers many advantages

• Cups take up little space, making them perfect for windowsills, countertops, desks and other small areas.

• It’s easy to control moisture and drainage in a cup’s confined space. Overwatering is harder to do.

• Cups allow close observation of the flowering process and plant growth.

• Mini gardens are fun, inexpensive projects for children to learn about botany.

• When finished blooming, cup gardens can be composted or planted into the ground.

Best Flowers for Cup Gardens

Many popular annual flowers are well-suited to container growth and will thrive when started in cups. Here are some top picks:

Sunflowers

No flower says “summer” quite like a bright, cheery sunflower. The large seeds are easy for small hands to handle, making them a favorite for kids’ projects. Dwarf and mini sunflower varieties are best for cups.

Marigolds

Compact marigold varieties produce an abundance of sunny flowers in shades of gold, orange, yellow and red. These hardy annuals bloom reliably all season long.

Zinnias

Available in almost every color but blue, zinnias produce masses of vibrant, dahlia-like blooms. The Profusion series offers compact types under 1 foot tall, perfect for cup gardens.

Nasturtiums

Known for their brightly colored, funnel-shaped blossoms and rounded leaves, nasturtiums add a tropical flair to cup gardens. They bloom in red, orange, yellow and creamy white.

Petunias

Petunias are summertime favorites thanks to their prolific flowers in both solid and bicolor shades. Multiflora types are best for cups and window boxes.

Cosmos

Another prolific bloomer, cosmos bears airy, daisy-like flowers on long stems. Choose short varieties under 2 feet tall. Colors include pink, rose, white and more.

Calendula

Bold calendula flowers have a unique two-tone effect, with petals shading from yellow at the tips to deep orange near the center. This easy annual thrives in cups.

Strawflowers

As their name suggests, strawflowers produce papery, straw-like blooms that hold their shape when dried. Grow these resilient flowers in cups for long-lasting cut flowers.

Growing Tips for Cup Gardens

Follow these simple tips to successfully grow flowers in cups:

• Select small, compact varieties that will remain proportional when grown in a cup, generally under 1 foot tall. This includes dwarf sunflowers, multiflora petunias, and other types noted above.

• Start with seed starting mix. This lightweight, fast-draining soil provides ideal conditions for seeds to germinate.

• Plant 1-3 seeds in each cup, depending on variety. Snip off weaker seedlings if more than one sprouts.

• Water from the bottom by placing cups in a tray of water. This prevents washing away delicate seedlings.

• Give plants plenty of sun, at least 6 hours per day. A sunny windowsill works well for indoor cups.

• Fertilize lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks once seedlings emerge.

• Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings to prevent fungal diseases.

• Transplant larger flowers like sunflowers into bigger containers once they outgrow cups.

Fun Ways to Use Cup Gardens

Once your mini flowers have successfully sprouted, put those blooming cups to creative use:

• Line a windowsill with cups bursting with color.

• Use cup gardens as artistic table decor for parties.

• Cluster together different flower varieties for a mixed bouquet effect.

• Display cups down an outdoor pathway or along a balcony.

• Create personalized cups with names as party favors or gifts.

• Let kids give away cups to friends, neighbors or nursing home residents.

With proper care and favorable growing conditions, many popular flowers can thrive when started in disposable cups. Plant a spectrum of colors and varieties to create a petite container garden that brightens spirits and any space.