Starting plants from seeds is one of the most rewarding parts of gardening. Watching a tiny seed sprout and grow into a productive plant that provides food or beauty to your yard is an amazing experience. However, some plants are better suited for starting from seed than others. This guide will explore the 25 best plants to start from seed, making it easy for both beginner and experienced gardeners alike.
Why Start Plants from Seeds?
Here are some of the key benefits of starting plants yourself rather than buying seedlings:
-
Cost Savings: Purchasing established seedlings from nurseries can get expensive, especially when buying large quantities. Starting from seed allows you to grow dozens of plants for the price of a seed packet.
-
Wider Variety Most garden centers carry just a few types of each plant Starting from seed gives you access to hundreds of varieties you won’t find at most stores
-
Earlier Harvests Getting seeds started indoors weeks before the last frost date gives plants a head start on the growing season You’ll be harvesting sooner
-
Satisfaction: Taking a plant from seed to harvest is incredibly rewarding and helps you learn more about gardening.
When to Start Seeds Indoors
Timing is important when starting seeds indoors. Seeds started too early may become tall and leggy while those started late won’t have enough time to mature. Most seeds should be started 4-8 weeks before the estimated last spring frost. Check seed packets for specific timelines.
Here are some guidelines for popular plants:
- Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale: 5-7 weeks before last frost
- Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant: 6-8 weeks before
- Cucumbers, melons, squash: 2-4 weeks before
- Herbs: 8-10 weeks before
The 25 Best Plants for Starting from Seed
1. Tomatoes
The most popular plant for seed starting, tomatoes are relatively easy and extremely rewarding. With hundreds of tomato varieties to choose from, starting from seed enables growing unique tomatoes you won’t find at garden centers.
2. Peppers
Peppers thrive when started from seed, preferring not to have their roots disturbed. The seeds germinate readily and quickly grow into stocky transplants.
3. Eggplant
Eggplants develop long taproots that make them great candidates for starting from seed. Give them lots of room to grow substantial roots before transplanting.
4. Broccoli
A cool weather-loving vegetable, broccoli grows beautifully from seed and matures quickly into edible heads. Start seeds 5-7 weeks before your last spring frost.
5. Cauliflower
Another brassica excellent for seed starting. Cauliflower produces pretty curds in a diversity of colors when grown from seed.
6. Cucumber
Easy to grow from seed, cucumbers dislike having their roots disturbed later when transplanting. Start seeds in peat pots to avoid this.
7. Carrots
One of the best root crops for seed starting. Grow carrots in deep pots or cells to accommodate their taproots before transplanting them.
8. Kale
An extremely easy brassica for seed starting, kale rapidly grows into cold hardy plants perfect for early spring harvests.
9. Spinach
A fast grower even when started indoors, spinach quickly bolts in summer heat. Start seeds very early for best results.
10. Beets
Beets develop a long taproot making them great for seed starting in deep containers. Transplant them carefully to avoid damage.
11. Swiss Chard
A close relative of beets, Swiss chard grows well from seed and is more forgiving than beets when transplanting.
12. Onions
Onions resent being transplanted but take a long time to mature from seed. Start them very early indoors.
13. Leeks
Another onion relative that strongly dislikes transplanting. Give them an early start by sowing indoors.
14. Celery
Celery has a very long maturity timeline, making starting them early indoors a must for a good harvest.
15. Head Lettuce
Start lettuce seeds in biodegradable pots or strips to avoid disturbing their roots during transplant.
16. Radicchio
A lettuce cousin that grows well from seed. Start this cool weather-loving green indoors early.
17. Arugula
An early spring green that bolts fast in heat. Get a jump start on the season through seed starting.
18. Parsley
Parsley dislikes being transplanted but is easy to start from seed. Begin them indoors very early.
19. Cilantro
Cilantro quickly bolts as weather warms. An early indoor start extends the harvest window.
20. Dill
Dill has a fast life cycle. Start seeds very early indoors for the most abundant harvest.
21. Basil
A heat-loving herb that grows rapidly from seed. Start indoors only 2-4 weeks before your last frost.
22. Marigolds
Extremely easy to grow from seed, marigolds make great early additions to flower beds.
23. Zinnias
Zinnias thrive when directly sown but also transplant well from indoor seed starting.
24. Nasturtiums
An edible flower that grows quickly from seed and adds vivid color to gardens.
25. Cosmos
These beautiful, feathery flowers are simple to start from seed and bloom all summer long.
Provides Everything Needed for Success
By selecting plants that prefer being started from seed and beginning the process 4-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost, you’ll be rewarded with an abundant garden. Make sure to harden off seedlings before transplanting them outdoors. With proper care, the plants above typically grow readily from seed into thriving additions to any yard or garden.
Reminders for starting seeds indoors
Here are some indoor seed starting tips from University of Minnesota Extension:
- Pay attention to seed packet planting instructions. Follow planting soil depth listed on each packet.
- Use fresh seed-starting mix.
- Make sure soil temperature is consistently warm; be careful with fluctuating temperatures, especially if seedlings are grown near windows.
- Place seedlings near south-facing windows.
- Consider using grow lights instead of relying solely on natural light
Flower seeds to start indoors
Just like vegetables, annual flower seeds can be started indoors, too.
Purdue University Extension provides a general list of annuals that can be seeded indoors, such as pansies, violets, asters and marigolds. Each flower has specific requirements for how soon they should be seeded. Pansies and violets, for instance, should be seeded about 14 weeks before the last frost, while asters and marigolds should be seeded about six weeks before the last frost.
Your hardiness zone will determine when you need to start indoor seeding and when you can transplant seedlings outside.
The BEST Seed Starting System I’ve EVER Had
FAQ
What are the easiest plant seeds to grow?
Some easy to grow flowers for beginners include marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers, petunias, impatiens, and snapdragons. These flowers are all easy to grow and require minimal maintenance.
What is the quickest plant to grow from seed?
Choose hardy annuals such as sunflowers, poppies, cornflowers and pot marigolds – they all germinate quickly and are easy to grow. Bees and butterflies love them too! This also makes a great activity to do with children in a greenhouse on wet days.
What plants are best to start indoors?
-
Long-season crops:Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants benefit from a head start indoors, as they have longer growing periods.
-
Leafy greens:Lettuce, arugula, and spinach can be started indoors, especially for a jump start on the growing season.
-
Other options:Consider broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower, which can be started indoors for a head start.