Easiest flowers to grow from seed 🌺 🌿 Brighten up your outdoor space effortlessly

Looking for the easiest flowers to grow from seed? From sunflowers, sweet peas, nasturtiums, and cosmos, there are plenty of options that require minimal effort yet will give maximum impact. Marigolds, morning glories, bachelor’s buttons, and zinnias can all be grown with relative ease while Shasta daisies provide a beautiful addition to any garden. Read on to learn which flowering plants can be most easily grown straight from seeds.

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1. Sunflower

Sunflowers are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Sunflower seeds can be planted directly in the ground or started indoors for transplanting later. There are quite a variety of sunflower seeds available, including very tall sunflowers, very short sunflowers, florist sunflowers, and branching sunflowers.

Sunflower seeds have a hard seed coat, so they may need to be soaked overnight before planting to speed germination – but this is by no means necessary. If you’re buying plants, look for young plants rather than mature ones as they will establish better in your garden beds (sunflowers don’t love being transplanted).

Once temperatures reach at least 60°F (15°C), direct sow your sunflower seeds straight into the soil for optimal growth. Keep soil evenly moist until sprouts appear. Keep watering when the soil dries out until the plants bloom – which usually takes around 10 weeks from the sowing date.

2. Sweet peas

Planting sweet pea seeds is a simple task for even the most novice of gardeners. They can be direct sown into outdoor soil without the need for fussy indoor seed-starting equipment. You can even winter sow sweet peas if you’d like to start gardening when it’s still snowy out!

These annual flowers make great cut flowers, and their quick-blooming nature provides a lot of nectar for bees. When young plants start blooming, you’ll be rewarded with beautiful showy displays in flower beds or arrangements. Plus, many sweet peas produce an attractive floral scent.

3. Nasturtium

Nasturtiums can be planted from seed without much hassle. These quick-blooming flowers provide a great opportunity for beginner gardeners who want to start growing plants right away.

The large seeds have a hard seed coat, so it’s best to soak them overnight before sowing in order to speed germination. But again, soaking isn’t necessary – just scatter the seeds and lightly cover the seeds with soil before watering. Young plants will begin blooming within weeks, making them an ideal choice for those looking for quick results.

Vibrant hues of orange, red, blue, and yellow make these cheery annual blooms a bright addition to any garden. They make excellent additions to flower beds or containers since they quickly fill out space with their colorful blooms. Nasturtiums also look beautiful when combined with miniature carnations or sweet peas in flower arrangements as well as scattered throughout gardens as groundcover plants. Not only do these easy-to-grow plants provide visual appeal but they also attract bees which help pollinate other nearby flowering plants.

4. Cosmos

Cosmos is an easy-to-grow, colorful annual plant with daisy-like flowers. It’s a great choice for beginner and experienced gardeners alike who want a splash of color in their yards without having to put in too much effort.

Cosmos come in a range of vibrant hues, from white and pink to purple, orange, and yellow. The blooms, with their fine petal-like points resembling stars when seen from a distance, can attain heights of up to three feet. When planted together en masse they create a stunning display of color that will draw the eye from across the garden or lawn.

The plants are drought tolerant, so they don’t require much water or maintenance. They also attract beneficial pollinators like butterflies and bees, making them ideal for wildlife gardens.

When planting cosmos it’s important to choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil as they won’t tolerate soggy conditions at all. Sow seeds directly into the ground once temperatures have warmed (after the danger of frost has passed). Thin out seedlings after germination if needed so there isn’t overcrowding which can lead to disease problems down the road.

Deadheading spent blooms encourages more flowers throughout the season until frost arrives again in fall; simply snip off faded blossoms at their base using clean scissors or pruners for best results. If you want cut flowers indoors then pick them just before fully open for the longest vase life.

5. Marigold

Marigold is a popular flower among gardeners – and with good reason. They’re bright and cheerful, easy to grow, and come in a wide variety of colors and forms.

Marigolds are easy to cultivate from seed, needing only well-drained soil and some moisutre. These flowers prefer full sun but will tolerate some shade if necessary. Water them regularly, fertilize during the growing season, deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage more flowers throughout the summer months, and pinch off leggy stems when needed.

If you’re looking for an extra pop of color in your garden beds or containers this year, marigolds may just be your ticket. These low-maintenance plants come in all shapes and sizes; from dwarf varieties like ‘Tangerine Gem’ that only reach about 6 inches tall to towering giants like ‘Giant African’ which can get up to 4 feet high. There is truly something for everyone when it comes to these cheery little blooms – no matter what size space you have available.

6. Morning glory

Morning glory is one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. You can sow them directly in the ground or start seeds indoors. These annual flowers make great cut flowers and are a favorite for bees and sometimes even hummingbirds.

The large seeds have a hard seed coat, so it’s best to soak them overnight before planting. Soaking the seeds overnight before planting can give young plants a better start, as it will hasten germination.

For optimal results, keep the soil evenly moist until your plants reach about 8 inches tall. Then water less frequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings (but don’t let it become totally bone dry).

7. Bachelor’s button

Bachelor’s button, also referred to as cornflower, is an effortless annual that brings a burst of vibrant hues like blue, purple, pink, and white to any garden or landscape. It adds a splash of color to any garden or landscape and its flowers are long-lasting when cut for use in bouquets.

You can direct sow the seeds, start them indoors, or winter sow them. Bachelor’s button prefers well-drained soil with an average amount of moisture. This hardy flower grows best in full sun but can tolerate some shade. The plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and will bloom from early summer until fall if regularly deadheaded throughout the growing season.

This delightful flower attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators making it a great addition to gardens designed for wildlife conservation or just those wanting more birds and insects around their property. Its drought tolerance makes it ideal for xeriscaping projects while its abundant blooms make it an excellent choice for cutting gardens as well as borders along walkways or driveways. For even more impact combine bachelor’s buttons with other bright-colored annuals such as zinnias or marigolds; they look especially stunning when planted together.

8. Zinnia

Zinnias are one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. Like most of the other easy flowers to grow from seeds, you can sow them directly into your garden or start them indoors.

Zinnia seeds have a hard seed coat, so it’s best to soak the seeds overnight before planting. Once planted, zinnias will quickly sprout and start to bloom in a short time.

These beginner-friendly flowers come in an array of colors—from showy oranges to blues and reds—so you can find something to fit any color scheme or design aesthetic in your garden. You can even plant several different varieties together for a mix of shapes, sizes, and hues.

9. Calendula

Calendula is a popular garden flower that adds vibrant colors and texture. With its striking hue of orange or yellow, its an excellent selection for novice gardeners looking to inject some vibrancy into their gardens without much fuss.

Calendulas are easy to grow from seed and require little maintenance once established. They can tolerate full sun or partial shade, making them ideal for any garden setting. They’re drought tolerant and don’t need frequent watering like other annuals do—just give them an occasional drink when they look thirsty. Calendulas will keep producing blossoms until the first nip of frost touches them in late fall or early winter.

These cheerful blossoms make excellent cut flowers because they last up to two weeks in a vase if properly cared for. The plants themselves beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies into your garden while deterring pests like aphids thanks to their strong scent.

10. Shasta daisy

Shasta daisy is a popular flower that makes an excellent choice for beginner gardeners. These large, easy-to-grow flowers produce beautiful blooms with white petals and yellow centers, making them great cut flowers for floral arrangements. They also make wonderful additions to flower beds and provide bees with quick-blooming nectar sources.

You can sow the seeds directly in the ground or start them indoors several weeks before your last frost date. When sowing outdoors, plant each seed 1/4 inch deep into soil that has been evenly moistened beforehand; if starting indoors, use peat pots filled with sterile potting mix instead of outdoor soil from the garden as sterile mix is less likely to contain diseases or pests which could harm your young plants.

Monitor the soil’s moisture closely to ensure it stays damp but not waterlogged until sprouts appear, which should be within a week or two of planting. As plants begin to produce blooms in summer months (around 8-12 weeks after sowing), gradually reduce watering as needed.

FAQs about the easiest flowers to grow from seed

What is the easiest flower to grow from seed?

Marigolds are considered one of the easiest flowers to grow from seed. They require little maintenance and will germinate in as little as seven days, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners.

What is the best flower to grow from seed?

The best flower to grow from seed is the sunflower. While you can buy starter plants of most other flowers, sunflowers really do best if planted directly from seed, straight into the soil.

What is the easiest perennial to grow from seed?

One of the easiest perennials to grow from seed is Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower. It’s a hardy plant that can tolerate heat and drought and has few pests or diseases.

Before you go…

The world of gardening is full of possibilities and joy, especially when it comes to the easiest flowers to grow from seed. From sweet peas to marigolds, these blooms can provide a beautiful addition to any outdoor space with minimal effort required. Whether you’re looking for something low-maintenance or want an impressive splash of color in your garden beds, there are plenty of options available that will bring beauty and life into your yard without having to be a gardening expert.