The easiest and least expensive way to get lots of flowers all season with little work is to plant flower seeds directly in the ground. It’s incredible just how much you get from a tiny $3 pouch of seeds. And I believe it’s a great way for first-time gardeners or experienced gardeners who want to fill in a space. Direct sowing just means that you don’t start the seeds indoors weeks before putting them in the garden. Instead, you follow the directions on the package and spread the seed in the garden, usually after there is no chance of frost. Direct sowing is the easiest way to garden. All you have to do is choose where to plant them and water them while they sprout.
Today, I’m having trouble (is it really a problem?) because every time I think I’m done with seed orders, I see a blog post or an Instagram picture and have to get back to work. But really, I think I’m done. I was thinking about the seeds I plant and how thankful I am that they grow into little workhorses. From what I’ve seen, all of these plants bloom nonstop until the first frost. They add color all season, and many of them are loved by all kinds of pollinators.
So I thought I’d share my favorites with you. They’re all sun loving flower factories, and with the exception of a few, when they’re gone they’re gone. The first frost is usually the death blow. This is by no means a complete list of all the seeds you can direct sow. These are just the ones I’ve grown in my garden and love.
With so many options to choose from, there’s a sunflower for every situation. Some are garden behemoths perfect for the back of the border while others are small enough for containers. Every year I plant a different kind of flower in the middle of my vegetable garden. There are always a lot of bees, especially bumblebees, going through the flower centers. When summer is over and the flowers are no longer at their best, I like to cut them off their stems and put them between the fence posts so that finches can eat the seed.
It sounds a lot like a disease, doesn’t it? A Master Gardener teacher at the University of Illinois gave me some of these seeds many years ago, and I’ve never had to plant them again. Once you got ’em, you got ’em. But in a totally good way. It’s not like creeping jenny. Seedlings are easy to remove if you don’t like where the wind has blown them. I let them be most of the time, and I love seeing how well they get along with their friends. Little purple flower clusters float above the rest of the garden on thin but surprisingly strong stems that sway in the wind. The plant is see-through. The pollinators can’t get enough of them in my hot, full-sun garden.
This beautiful flower, which is also known as flowering tobacco, should be planted near a patio or window so that you can really enjoy it. The sweet smell is intoxicating and becomes stronger as the sun goes down. This is another I haven’t had to sow since planting it several years ago. The first year it was in my garden, I picked seed from the flowers. But I soon learned that it self-sowed and was easy to pull out of places I didn’t want it.
If you’re an avid gardener like me you’re probably itching to get growing and fill your garden with beautiful blooms. But with so many flower varieties to choose from it can be tricky to know what seeds to plant each month to maximize your yields.
That’s why I’ve put together this handy guide on what flower seeds you can sow right now and what’s best to plant in the coming months. Consider it your monthly checklist of flowers tailored to your USDA planting zone.
January
January can feel a bit bleak in the garden with bare soil and few leaves in sight But it’s a perfect time for planning and sowing some flower seeds indoors. Here are top January picks
- Begonias: Their elaborate blooms come in pink, red, white, orange and yellow. Start begonia seeds 8-10 weeks before your last spring frost.
- Geraniums These cheery perennials produce tons of colorful clusters. Sow seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before outdoor planting
- Pansies: Their happy faces can handle cool weather. Start seeds in January for spring transplanting.
- Petunias: Go for waves, millenniums, supertunias and more. Sow indoors 10-12 weeks prior to last spring frost.
- Snapdragon: These fragrant spires come in dwarf options perfect for containers. Start seeds 6-10 weeks before outdoor planting.
- Verbena: Trailing verbenas are ideal for pots and baskets. Sow seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last spring frost.
February
February offers more chances to start flower seeds indoors for spring and summer gardening:
- Cosmos: Easy, daisy-like blooms in pink, purple, white and red. Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before outdoor planting.
- Four o’clocks: These old-fashioned annuals open in the afternoon. Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost.
- Marigolds: Cheerful flowers that deter pests. Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before outdoor planting.
- Morning glories: Vining climbers with trumpet blooms. Nick seeds and start indoors 4 weeks before outdoor planting.
- Salvia: Adds long lasting color. Start seeds 8-10 weeks prior to transplanting seedlings outside.
- Zinnia: Produces abundant, long-lasting pom pom, cactus and daisy flowers. Sow seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before outdoor planting.
March
March weather welcomes more direct sowing outdoors along with indoor seed starting:
- Bachelor’s buttons: Hardy annuals with rounded flower clusters. Direct sow outside 2-4 weeks before last spring frost.
- Larkspur: Features rocket-shaped blooms on tall spikes. Direct sow outside 3-4 weeks before last spring frost.
- Lobelia: Low edging plants with dainty flowers. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before outdoor planting.
- Moonflower: Giant white blooms that unfurl in the evening. Nick seeds and sow directly outside once soil warms.
- Nasturtiums: Edible flowers and leaves with a peppery flavor. Direct sow outside once danger of frost has passed.
- Sweet peas: Fragrant old-fashioned vines. Direct sow outside 4-6 weeks before last average spring frost.
April
April weather brings more chances to sow flower seeds directly in garden beds and containers:
- Bells of Ireland: Cool green spikes for cutting. Direct sow outside 2-3 weeks before last spring frost.
- Dianthus: Cottage garden favorites like Sweet William and carnations. Direct sow outside 3-4 weeks before last spring frost.
- Four o’clocks: Start seeds outdoors once the soil has warmed up.
- Marigolds: Plant dwarf varieties in edging beds. Sow seeds directly outside after danger of frost.
- Morning glories: Direct sow soaked seeds outside after the chance of frost has passed.
- Portulaca: Low growing succulent-like plants. Sow seeds directly outside after soil has warmed up.
- Zinnia: Direct sow after danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
May
The gardening season kicks into high gear in May. Plant these flowers by seed throughout the month:
- Cosmos: Direct sow fast-growing cosmos outside in well-drained soil after danger of frost.
- Marigolds: Direct sow any missed varieties after soil has warmed up.
- Moonflowers: Soak seeds and direct sow outside after danger of frost.
- Nasturtiums: Direct sow for edible flowers and foliage once soil warms up.
- Scarlet sage: Direct sow this red beauty outside once threat of frost has passed.
- Sunflowers: Direct sow giant varieties outside once soil warms up.
- Verbena: Direct sow low growing spreading varieties in beds once soil temperature reaches 60°F.
- Zinnias: Direct sow seeds after your last spring frost date has passed.
June
The arrival of summer in June brings heat lovers into the spotlight:
- Celosia: Direct sow these flame colored flowers outside once the ground has warmed up.
- Cosmos: Continue sowing fast-blooming cosmos directly in the garden.
- Marigolds: Direct sow any final marigold varieties in June.
- Mexican sunflower: Direct sow this giant bloom-producing annual.
- Portulaca: Heat and drought tolerant low spreader. Direct sow seeds outside in average soil.
- Tithonia: Direct sow these towering Mexican sunflowers outside once the soil has warmed up.
- Zinnias: Continue direct sowing this rugged annual for months of cut flowers.
July
July’s warm soil encourages sowing heat-loving annuals and late-blooming perennials:
- Castor beans: Ornamental, fast-growing plants with huge leaves. Direct sow outside.
- Cleome: Direct sow this spider flower outside in rich, well-drained soil.
- Cosmos: Continue direct sowing fast-growing cosmos for late summer/fall blooms.
- Mexican sunflower: Direct sow for bold late summer color.
- Morning glories: Direct sow for fast color in 60 days. Soak seeds before planting.
- Statice: Direct sow this dried flower outside once temperatures have warmed up.
- Strawflowers: Direct sow this pretty dried flower outside in mid to late July.
- Sunflowers: Direct sow select late-blooming varieties.
August
Squeeze in these last chances for flower seeds as summer winds down:
- Arabis: Direct sow this early spring bloomer outside in late summer for flowers next year.
- California poppy: Direct sow in garden beds for spring blooms.
- Cosmos: Sow any last cosmos seeds directly in the garden.
- Larkspur: Direct sow in August for early summer blooms next year.
- Lupine: Direct sow seeds of this spring perennial flower.
- Poppies: Direct sow hardy annual varieties like Shirley poppies.
- Sweet peas: Sow winter hardy varieties for an early spring bloom.
September
September and fall offer planting opportunities for spring ephemerals and perennials:
- Bachelor’s buttons: Hardy annual. Direct sow outside for spring flowers.
- California poppy: Charming orange annual. Direct sow seeds outside in fall.
- ** Canterbury bells**: Direct sow this early summer perennial flower.
- Dianthus: Direct sow cottage pinks and carnations for spring blooms.
- Hollyhocks: Direct sow in late summer to early fall for blooms next year.
- Larkspur: Direct sow annual varieties outside for earlier blooms next year.
- Lupine: Direct sow perennial lupine seeds outside in fall.
- Sweet peas: Direct sow winter hardy varieties in fall for extra early spring blooms.
October
October is the last call for planting these spring bloomers before winter arrives:
- California poppy: Direct sow seeds in fall for cheery orange spring flowers.
- Delphinium: Direct sow these perennial beauties in fall for summer flowers next year.
- Forget-me-nots: Direct sow seeds of this spring bloomer outside in fall.
- Hollyhocks: Direct sow and mulch for impressive second year flowers.
- Larkspur: Get a jump on this annual favorite by direct sowing in fall.
- Lupine: Improve germination by nicking seeds before direct sowing in autumn.
- Poppies: Direct sow hardy annual Shirley poppy seeds.
- Sweet peas: Sow winter hardy varieties for extra early blooms.
November
November offers few blooming options outdoors but you can sow these dormant spring flower seeds:
- California poppy: Direct sow outside for cheery blooms next spring. Mulch after seeding.
- Larkspur: Direct sow in fall for earlier summer flowers next year.
- Lupine: Nick seeds and sow outside for spring perennial blooms.
- Ornamental onions: Easy and early spring flowers. Direct sow outside.
- Poppies: Direct sow seeds of annual Shirley poppies outside.
- Sweet peas: For winter hardy varieties that bloom extra early next spring.
- Violas: Direct sow seeds of these charming perennials to bloom early next year.
December
December days are short but you can plan ahead with these tips:
- ** Inventory seeds** on hand. Toss expired ones and make a list of new ones to order.
- Clean and sharpen tools. Get them ready for the garden season ahead.
- Start a gardening notebook. Jot down notes and make garden plans for next year.
- Shop seed catalogs and make orders. Take advantage of discounts and early bird specials.
- Continue sowing. Through December you can keep sowing indoor flowers and herbs for transplanting outside later.
The new year will be here before you know it bringing more chances to sow flower seeds. Whether you love roses, sunflowers, or pansies, follow this guide to discover what you can plant now and in the months ahead. Here’s to a colorful year of blooms!
Hyacinth Bean Vine (Lablab purpureus)
I’ve grown this fast growing vine in containers where the seed germinates faster than you can blink. I liked how it spread out over the pergola posts, but I haven’t needed it on the patio since the wisteria took over. It’s huge and can grow up to 20 feet tall! I saved seeds from the original vines, though, and they’ve done a great job of hiding unsightly parts of my garden. When I planted them in the ground for the first time last summer, they did even better. They quickly spread out over trellises, making a beautiful wall that no one could get through.
Heart-shaped burgundy leaves full of purple veining and sweet-pea like flowers on almost-black stems are eye-catching. Purple pods develop toward the end of the season that are striking in floral arrangements.
How can you look at this happy yellow flower and not smile? It’s my favorite black-eyed Susan. I bought the plants every year at the garden center and was upset that they didn’t grow again very often. I can direct sow them every year if I want them in the garden because they only come back every two years here. And I definitely do! They get about 2. 5′ tall. The dark side of these bright lovelies is that I rarely see pollinators on them.
My garden wouldn’t be my garden without a zinnia, or two, or three. I mean, I LOVE ZINNIAS! The fact that they come in many colors, flower shapes, and heights makes me love them even more. They never disappoint and flower non-stop all summer long. I love picking bouquets of them for the kitchen table. And the picking encourages more flowering so it’s a win-win.
I’m really excited about the Magellan series I discovered while touring Ball Seed Company’s trial garden in West Chicago last summer. At just 12″ tall and sporting 4″ to 5″ color-saturated flowers, Magellans are perfect for edging pathways or adding an upright pop of color to container gardens. I bought a few packets from Park Seed and, at the moment, can’t remember which varieties. It’s late.
As the name suggests, this heirloom vine’s flowers open from cone-shaped buds at night to release their sweet scent. Last summer, my plants had flowers that were 5 to 6 inches across and really shone in their pot on the patio, where a trellis let them climb up the wall and onto the pergola.
Because this and the flowering tobacco bloom in the evening, I think that’s why there are more pollinators in my garden at night. A Polyphemus moth the size of a large man’s hand surprised me in the compost bin last summer.
I used to hate them, until Big Duck walked into my life and made me reconsidered their merits. Not the prettiest smelling flower, I found the colors of the marigolds of my childhood downright ugly. The only thing I liked about them back then was how easily their “heads” came off. My grandmother had them in her garden.
Last summer, All-America Selections sent me Big Duck Gold to try out. You can read about it here. This guy developed huge pompom flowers above lush blue-green foliage. There are some marigolds that I like, but not all of them. I plant mine along the edge of my vegetable garden because that’s where they do best. Some people say they keep rabbits away, but I don’t know for sure. I didn’t have many rabbit problems last year. Perhaps this is why.
Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia rotundifolia)
This is by no means the prettiest plant, it’s actually quite ugly and sprawling. I forgave these shortcomings rather quickly when I realized just how nuts the monarch butterflies were for it. The flower seeds shot up fast and quickly overcame the center of the vegetable garden. It seemed like a good idea at the time but live and learn. At least the butterflies appreciated it. I’ll plant this again in a different part of the garden so it has more freedom, but I can still watch the pollinators from the patio or the window.
7 Easy & Fast Flowers To Grow From Seed. Beginner Friendly Annual Flowers!
FAQ
What are the easiest flower seeds to direct sow?
Here we’ve gathered up the easiest flower seeds to direct sow straight into your garden. These foolproof, beginner-level, brown thumb friendly flowering plants are hardy, low-maintenance, and mostly trouble-free, readily establishing themselves in your garden in only a season or two. 1. Columbine ( Aquilegia spp.)
What flowers can you grow from seed?
Marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, nasturtiums, morning glories, poppies, and bachelor’s buttons are among the easiest and fastest flowers to grow from seed. They offer a burst of color and beauty in gardens. Plant them directly in the soil or in containers, and with proper care, they’ll quickly reward you with vibrant blooms.
What flowers can I plant in my garden?
Perennial options like daisies and coneflowers also do well when planted now, bringing a perennial charm to gardens each year. Beyond these, there are particular flower seeds that are remarkably easy for direct sowing into your garden at this time.
Are flower seeds easy to grow?
Beyond these, there are particular flower seeds that are remarkably easy for direct sowing into your garden at this time. For those who are new to gardening or prefer plants that require less maintenance, flowers such as columbine (Aquilegia spp.), known for their hardiness and low-care requirements, can also be sown now.