What Flower Seeds Can I Plant Now? A Monthly Guide for Success

Easy Flowers to Grow From Seed

• Bachelors Button (Centaurea cyanus)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova These blue flowers look like miniature carnations and tend to attract butterflies. They will flower from mid-summer until the first frost of fall and require very little care from you besides watering during prolonged dry spells. Sow the seeds directly in your garden bed after the final frost of spring. Or you can start them roughly six to eight weeks before your projected last frost date, and then transplant the seedlings into your garden once the weather warms. Collect the brown seed pods at the end of the season to plant in your garden the next year.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Blue
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

• Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

  The Spruce / Kara Riley Calendula are typically a bright yellow to deep orange color, and they make a nice container plant or an edging plant in the garden. Directly sow the seeds in your garden after the last frost, or start them indoors six to eight weeks prior to the last frost date. They will self-seed from season to season. If you live in a hot climate, give your plants some afternoon sun protection, and keep the soil moderately moist. Remove spent flowers to encourage further blooming.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Yellow to orange
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

• Columbine (Aquilegia)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova The showy flowers of these spring-and early summer-blooming perennials come in many colors. Allow columbine to self-seed and theyll come back year after year with minimal maintenance from you. Columbine can tolerate a variety of growing conditions, but make sure your plant isnt sitting in poorly drained soil. If you remove the stems after theyre finished flowering, you can prolong the plants blooming period.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3b to 8b
  • Color Varieties: Blue, purple, red, pink, yellow, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

• Cosmos (Cosmos)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Cosmos make good cut flowers for bouquets, and they bloom all summer long. Theyre annuals but typically will self-seed. Theyll even tolerate poor soil, so theyre truly low-fuss flowers. Sow them after the final frost in the spring, or start them indoors six to eight weeks prior to your last frost. Plant them in a location thats sheltered from strong, damaging winds, and remove the spent blooms for prolonged flowering. However, make sure you leave some of the flower heads if you want the plant to self-seed.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Red, pink, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

• Four OClocks (Mirabilis jalapa)

  The Spruce / Autumn Wood These flowers grow as perennials in warm climates but can work as annuals elsewhere. Make sure the threat of frost is behind you before directly sowing them in your garden, or start them indoors. The flowers open in the afternoon, hence their name, and they have a lovely fragrance. They bloom from mid-summer to fall and are fairly low-maintenance beyond preferring consistently moist soil. So be sure to water your flowers during dry stretches.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 9b to 10a
  • Color Varieties: Pink, red, yellow, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-draining

• Marigolds (Tagetes)

  The Spruce / Pheobe Cheong Youll have to plant marigold seeds each year because theyre annuals. But theyll bloom all summer if you keep them deadheaded. Save some of the seeds at the end of the season, and use them to replant the next year. Flowering might diminish during the hottest part of the summer, but it should pick up again toward the fall. If you live in a hot climate, give your marigolds some afternoon shade, and keep the soil evenly moist.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Yellow, orange, gold, red, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

• Morning Glories (Ipomoea purpurea)

  The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova This vine grown on trellises or arbors is an annual. When started from seed, morning glories can take until the end of summer to bloom. However, if you start the seeds indoors about six weeks before your projected last frost date, theyll start blooming earlier in the growing season than if you directly sow them in your garden. Once the plant is established in your garden, it will self-seed and come back on its own year after year. Water your plant around once a week to ensure even moisture.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Blue, purple, pink, red, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-draining

• Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Moss rose makes a good ground cover for a spot that gets a lot of sun. They are highly tolerant of drought and require little maintenance. They’re even deer-resistant and typically don’t have pest or disease problems as long as their soil has good drainage. Sow your seeds directly in the garden after your last frost, or start them indoors. Expect blooms starting in the summer and lasting until frost arrives in the fall. You can deadhead the flowers to encourage further blooming, or leave some of the spent blooms to promote self-seeding.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Red, pink, yellow, orange, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Poor to average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

• Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)

  The Spruce / K. Dave You can be nasty to nasturtiums, and these hardy flowers will tolerate your neglect. The leaves and flowers are edible and often added to salads. But theyre perhaps more popular as a cut flower because of their lovely fragrance and beautiful colors. Nasturtiums can tolerate poor and dry soil, though you should water them during extended dry spells. Protect them from the afternoon sun in hot climates. Plus, skip the fertilizer, as too much richness in the soil can actually inhibit blooming.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Red, orange, yellow, cream
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, slightly acidic, medium moisture, well-draining

• Shasta Daisies (Leucanthemum x superbum)

  The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Shasta daisies are perennials in some climates with a long blooming period from around July to September. Theyre good for flower borders, as well as for use as cut flowers. Plus, theyre efficient at spreading, so you dont have to plant many seeds to establish a large garden bed. Remove the spent flower heads to encourage further blooming. After flowering is complete for the season, cut back the stems to their lowest leaves to conserve the plant’s energy over the winter.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 9a
  • Color Varieties: White with a yellow center
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, dry to medium moisture, well-draining

• Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

  The Spruce / K. Dave Sunflowers dont start blooming until late in the season, usually from around July to August. But when those giant blooms finally emerge, its well worth the wait. Plant the seeds directly in your garden after your final frost, ideally in a location that’s protected from strong winds. Seeds started indoors will typically flower at roughly the same time as seeds directly sown in the garden, so there’s really no benefit to starting them early. Sunflowers are annuals, so youll need to save some of the seeds to replant the next year. Cover a few of the seed heads with netting, so they can dry out without the birds feasting on them.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 11b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Yellow, red, brown
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Average, moist, well-draining

• Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

  The Spruce / Kara Riley These flowers have a lovely sweet fragrance and bloom from around April to June. You can sow sweet alyssum seeds directly in your garden a few weeks before your final frost date, or start them indoors roughly six weeks before your projected last frost. The plants will decline in the summer heat, during which you can cut them back by about half. This might promote additional blooming in the fall. Or you can sow more seeds in August for fall-blooming plants.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 9a
  • Color Varieties: White
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
  • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-draining

• Sweet Peas (Lathyrus odoratus)

  The Spruce / Letícia Almeida These annuals are climbers and make nice cut flowers. They do best in cool soil and will decline in hot, humid summers. Start sweet pea seeds indoors six to eight weeks prior to your final frost date to maximize the plant’s blooming period before the hot weather takes hold. Keep the soil evenly moist via rainfall and supplemental watering. And add compost or fertilizer during the growing season, especially if you have poor soil.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 2a to 10b (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Blue, red, pink, purple, peach, burgundy, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Rich, humusy, medium moisture, well-draining

• Zinnias (Zinnia)

  The Spruce / Leticia Almeida These annual flowers can add a lot of color to the garden. Zinnias love hot weather and often dont really take off until the heat of summer hits. In general, they bloom from around June until frost arrives in the fall. Sow your seeds directly in the garden after your last frost date. And if you want ample blooms, sow more seeds every few weeks through June. You also can start seeds indoors about four to six weeks before your projected last frost to have some blooms earlier in the spring. Deadhead the spent flowers to encourage more blooming.

  • USDA Growing Zones: 3a to 10a (annual)
  • Color Varieties: Pink, red, yellow, orange, green, purple, white
  • Sun Exposure: Full sun
  • Soil Needs: Humusy, evenly moist, well-draining

Winter Sowing – Best Flower Seeds and When to Start

FAQ

Can I plant flower seeds now?

• Timing:

  • Indoors: You can start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date for your area. 

  • Outdoors: Wait until after the last frost date to plant seeds directly in the ground. 

  • Los Angeles: Los Angeles is in a warm climate, so the last frost date is typically late February or early March. 

  • March 23rd: As it is March 23rd, you can start seeds indoors now for a head start, or plant them directly outside if you are in a warmer climate. 

• Types of Flowers:

  • Hardy Annuals: Consider starting seeds for hardy annuals like pansies, snapdragons, and sweet peas indoors now. 

  • Perennials: You can also start perennial seeds indoors now, but be mindful of their specific needs and germination requirements. 

• Tips for Success:

  • Seed Starting: Use a good quality seed-starting mix and provide adequate light, warmth, and moisture. 

  • Transplanting: Once seedlings are big enough and the weather is warm, gradually acclimate them to outdoor conditions before transplanting them to their final location. 

  • Direct Sowing: For some flowers, you can sow seeds directly into the garden after the last frost date. 

  • Wildflower Seeds: Wildflower seeds can be sown in the spring or fall, depending on the species. 

• Examples of Flowers to Start Now:

  • Marigolds 

  • Sweet Peas 

  • Delphiniums 

  • Sunflowers 

  • Pansies 

  • Zinnias 

What is the easiest flower to grow from seed?

• Zinnias:

  These are a classic choice, known for their quick growth and prolific blooming, available in a wide array of colors. 

• Marigolds:

  They are hardy, heat-tolerant annuals that thrive in full sun and are known for their pest-repelling properties. 

• Cosmos:

  These daisy-like flowers are easy to grow from seed, come in various colors, and are great for attracting pollinators. 

• Sunflowers:

  They are a favorite for their size and ease of growth, and come in various varieties, including pollen-free options. 

• Nasturtiums:

  These are adaptable annuals that can thrive in poor soil and partial shade, with colorful blooms and edible leaves and flowers. 

• Sweet Alyssum:

  A low-growing, fragrant flower that attracts beneficial insects and is easy to grow from seed. 

• California Poppies:

  These fast-growing wildflowers are easy to sow directly into the ground and provide a burst of color in the spring. 

Can I just scatter flower seeds?

• Soil Preparation:

  While you can just scatter seeds, preparing the soil beforehand significantly improves germination and plant growth. 

  • Clear the Area: Remove weeds, grass, and other vegetation that could compete with the seedlings. 

  • Loosen the Soil: Lightly cultivate or rake the soil to create a loose, seed-friendly environment. 

  • Remove Debris: Clear away rocks, sticks, and other debris that could prevent seeds from making good contact with the soil. 

• Scattering the Seeds:

  • Mix with a Carrier (Optional): For larger areas or if you want to ensure even distribution, mix the seeds with a carrier like sand or soil before scattering. 

  • Scatter Sparingly: Don’t overcrowd the area with seeds, as this can lead to weak seedlings. 

  • Gently Cover: After scattering, lightly rake the seeds into the soil, or gently press them into the soil with your hands or a board. 

  • Water: Water the area gently to help the seeds settle and germinate. 

• Post-Planting Care:

  • Maintain Moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, until the seeds germinate. 

  • Weed Control: Regularly remove weeds to prevent them from competing with the developing seedlings. 

  • Be Patient: Germination times vary depending on the flower species, so be patient and allow time for the seeds to sprout. 

Is it too late to grow flowers from seed?

It’s never too late to start seeds, it’s just a question of how reduced your growing season is (and that’s a function of your very own microclimate).