7 Fun (and Easy) Flowers to Grow from Seed

Sowing your own flowers is a lot of fun and very rewarding. It’s almost hard to imagine that those tiny packets of seeds will actually grow into beautiful flowers this summer. With a little planning, you can even enjoy the most beautiful (cut) flowers for months on end. Fortunately, sowing seeds isn’t nearly as difficult as many people think. Choosing the right flowers makes all the difference! Often, the easiest flowers to sow are annuals. These are flowers that bloom in the same year they germinate. Many of these plants are true survivors!

Planting Calendar: When Should You Do What?

Fall/Winter

In the fall and winter, you can buy or order seeds. Many people buy vegetable seeds during this time, but of course you can also buy beautiful flower seeds.

Spring

Starting in February, you can begin sowing seeds indoors. Most varieties can be sown indoors in March and April. Starting in mid-April through May, you can also sow seeds directly into the ground outdoors.

Summer

In the summer and late summer, you can pick plenty of flowers (or harvest vegetables). In late summer and fall, you can collect seeds from your own garden. That way, you’ll have free seeds for next year!

Easy Plants to Grow from Seed

When you start planting, it's a good idea to choose easy-to-grow plants that you can enjoy for a long time and in abundance. Here are our favorites flower seeds:

Cosmea (Cosmos)

Cosmos bipinnatus – Cosmos is definitely our favorite: there are many varieties, in many different colors (especially pastel shades). It’s not just the flowers that make this plant special, but also its beautiful pinnate leaves. It blooms from early summer until the first frost. Keep cutting or picking the flowers regularly to encourage new blooms. It makes a lovely cut flower thanks to its long stems and feathery foliage, but it also pairs well with perennials in the border.

Height: 50–120 cm
Sowing: March–April (indoors)
Flowering season: June through November

Zinnia

Zinnia elegans – Zinnias are cheerful and brightly colored summer flowers. Zinnias come in a wide variety of colors and flower shapes. They bloom for a long time (from July through October) and are easy to care for. Perfect for bouquets, thanks to their beautiful flowers on sturdy stems. Plant in a warm, sunny spot.

Height: 50–100 cm
Sowing: March–May (indoors)
Flowering season: July through October

Phlox

Phlox drummondii – Summer phlox, or annual phlox, has a compact growth habit and blooms profusely in shades of pink, red, white, or yellow. A characteristic feature of many phlox species is the contrasting eye at the center of the flower. It blooms for a very long time and is ideal both as a cut flower and in the border. It also grows and blooms well in pots and containers.

Height: 50–80 cm
Sowing: February–March (indoors)
Flowering season: July through October

Cornflower (Centaurea)

Centaurea cyanus – The common or wild cornflower. It blooms profusely with its characteristic blue flowers. The foliage is gray-green. It blooms for an exceptionally long time (from June to September) if you regularly remove the spent flowers. There are also pink and white cornflowers. Centaurea is also very well-suited for use as a dried flower and looks beautiful in a wildflower arrangement. The cornflower has a natural look, and in a bouquet, it evokes the feel of a wildflower bouquet.

Height: 50–80
Sowing: March–April
Flowering season: June through October

Lark's-spur (Nigella)

Nigella damascena – The damask nigella blooms with star-shaped blue, purple, pink, or white flowers. These pair beautifully with the airy, lace-like foliage, which grows around the flower like a wreath. Ideal for use in a bouquet. After flowering, graceful seed pods form, which are also perfect for a bouquet. Nigella is also beautiful as a dried flower.

Height: 30–60 cm
Sowing: March–May (outdoors)
Flowering: June through August

Sweet Pea (Lathyrus)

Lathyrus odoratus – The sweet pea (also known as the ornamental pea) is known for its graceful and colorful, lip-shaped flowers and, of course, for its delightful (and strong) fragrance. Lathyrus blooms in many different colors, such as pink, purple, white, or red (or a combination of colors). It is an annual climbing plant that blooms for a very long time, as long as you keep picking the flowers. It prefers not to be too dry. There is also a perennial variety of Lathyrus, but it has virtually no scent.

Height: 150–180 cm (trellis required)
Sowing: March–April
Flowering: July through September

Marigold (Calendula)

Calendula officinalis – Marigold is a very hardy and easy-to-grow annual plant. Marigolds bloom profusely, producing warm yellow, golden, and orange flowers. The flowers are edible and work well in a salad. It blooms from spring until the first frost. The flowers attract many bees and are popular in ornamental gardens as well as herb and vegetable gardens. They look lovely in a small vase—just be sure to remove the bottom leaf.

Height: 40–50 cm
Sowing: April–May
Flowering: June through October

Which easy-to-grow flowers are you going to plant?

Now you know which flowers we like best to grow from seed. Which flowers are you going to plant?