Starting flowers from seeds is one of the most rewarding and budget-friendly ways to fill your garden with color. While some plants can take months to bloom, many fast-growing flowers sprout and flower in just a few weeks, letting you enjoy their beauty without the long wait. Whether you’re working with a backyard, balcony, or window box, these 8 flowers that grow quickly from seeds are perfect for beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
1. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Zinnias are among the easiest and fastest-growing flowers you can grow from seed. These bright, daisy-like blooms germinate in just 5–7 days and begin flowering in as little as 6–8 weeks. They thrive in sunny, well-drained spots and come in a rainbow of colors, from pink and red to orange, purple, and white. Zinnias love the heat, are drought-tolerant, and attract butterflies, making them a cheerful and practical addition to garden beds, borders, and containers.
2. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Marigolds are a classic garden favorite known for their fast growth and pest-repelling properties. Their seeds germinate in 5–7 days, with flowers appearing within 6–7 weeks. Available in warm shades of yellow, orange, and red, marigolds flourish in sunny locations and tolerate a wide range of soil types. Perfect for edging flower beds or companion planting in vegetable gardens, marigolds bloom continuously throughout the summer with minimal care. Deadheading spent flowers encourages even more blooms.
3. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)
Cosmos are charming, fast-growing annuals that germinate in 7–10 days and start flowering in just 6–8 weeks. Their delicate, daisy-like flowers in pink, white, and crimson sway gracefully atop slender stems. Cosmos thrive in full sun and poor, well-drained soil, making them an ideal low-maintenance choice. These flowers are pollinator magnets, attracting bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. With their long stems, Cosmos are also excellent for cut flower arrangements and will self-seed freely for future blooms.
4. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums are fun, fast-growing flowers that sprout in 7–10 days and begin blooming in about 6–7 weeks. With their round, lily pad-like leaves and cheerful orange, yellow, and red blooms, nasturtiums brighten up any garden space. They grow best in poor, well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Both the flowers and leaves are edible, adding a peppery zest to salads. Nasturtiums are excellent for hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden borders, and they naturally repel certain pests.
5. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)
Few flowers grow as quickly and impressively from seed as sunflowers. These bold, cheerful blooms germinate in 7–10 days and can start flowering in about 8–10 weeks, depending on the variety. Sunflowers love full sun and well-drained soil, with some varieties growing over 10 feet tall. Dwarf types like ‘Teddy Bear’ are ideal for containers and small gardens. Sunflowers attract bees, birds, and butterflies while adding height and color to your landscape. They’re also a favorite for cutting gardens.
6. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, also known as Pot Marigold, is a fast-growing, cool-weather annual that germinates in 6–10 days and blooms within 6 weeks. Its cheerful yellow and orange blooms bring warmth to flower beds, herb gardens, and containers. Calendula prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Known for its edible and medicinal properties, calendula petals are used in teas, salves, and garnishes. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming, and it’s hardy enough to survive light frosts.
7. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum is a delicate, quick-growing flower that germinates in 5–7 days and blooms within 5–6 weeks. Its tiny, fragrant blooms come in shades of white, lavender, and pink, forming low, dense mounds perfect for edging, borders, or containers. Sweet Alyssum thrives in full sun to partial shade and cool weather. It’s loved by pollinators, especially bees, and produces a lovely honey-like fragrance. This flower is a wonderful ground cover, suppressing weeds while brightening up garden beds.
8. Morning Glories (Ipomoea purpurea)
Morning Glories are fast-growing, vining annuals that germinate in 5–10 days and start flowering in about 6–8 weeks. These twining plants produce vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white that open with the morning sun. Morning Glories thrive in full sun and well-drained soil and are perfect for trellises, fences, and arbors. Their rapid growth and climbing habit make them ideal for quickly covering unsightly garden structures, and they attract pollinators with their nectar-rich flowers.
Conclusion
With their quick germination and speedy bloom times, these 8 flowers that grow quickly from seeds are perfect for adding instant charm and color to your garden. Whether you’re planting for beauty, pollinators, or cut flowers, these easy-to-grow blooms deliver fast, rewarding results. Ideal for beginners or anyone craving a colorful garden in a hurry, these flowers will fill your space with life and color before you know it.
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