While growing from seed is one of the most rewarding and budget-friendly ways to expand your garden, it can be frustrating when seeds take too long to germinate—or never sprout at all. But growing flowers from seed doesn’t have to be a long wait. Some varieties sprout in just a few days and bloom within weeks, giving you almost instant garden color.
Success comes down to the basics: the right temperature, moisture, soil, and light. Get those right, and you’ll be rewarded with vibrant blooms in no time. These quick-growing plants are perfect for filling empty spaces quickly, brightening up containers, or bringing life to raised beds without spending much at all.
Zinnias
Zinnias are a garden classic. Their bushy plants produce large, colorful flowers in a rainbow of shades from early summer to fall. Sow directly into the garden, and these beauties will grow quickly—sprouting in 5–7 days, and bloom in 5–8 weeks. Zinnias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, and regular watering helps establish a long blooming season.
Satin Flower (Clarkia amoena)
Satin flowers are elegant, complementary, making them a must for a summer garden. The single or double petals are cup-shaped and available in lavender, pink, or lilac. This beauty will germinate in 7–10 days, bloom in 6–8 weeks.
They’re delicate in appearance but thrive in full sun. They need well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0–7.0) to grow. These allergy-friendly, low-maintenance plants reach 1–2 feet tall and are hardy in USDA Zones 6–10.
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum Majus)
Nasturtiums are known for their trailing growth and bright green leaves complemented by orange, yellow, and red flowers. Nasturtiums are incredibly easy to grow from seed – sow directly in the ground. They germinate in 7–10 days, and flower in 6–8 weeks. Thriving in full sun or partial shade, they tolerate drought and poor soil.
Cosmos (Cosmos Bipinnatus)
Cosmos are celebrated for their daisy-like flowers and bushy foliage, bringing life and color from summer to fall. Cosmost germinates in 5–7 days and flowers in approximately 7 weeks. They prefer sunny spots and well-drained soil, with minimal watering once established. The variety of colors—pink, white, red, orange, and purple—ensures a match for any garden theme.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia Maritime)
Sweet Alyssum creates a fragrant carpet of tiny white, pink, and purple flowers that attract beneficial insects. This fragrant flower will germinate in 4–7 days and bloom in 6 weeks. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and adapts well to poor soil and drought conditions. This low-growing plant is perfect for filling gaps in the garden or spilling over containers and rock walls.
Calendula
Calendula is a bright, cheerful addition to any garden. Calendulas are easy to grow in well-drained soil and prefer gentle sunlight. Plant it in early spring to enjoy its vibrant blooms from late spring to early summer. They will sprout in 5–10 days and bloom in approximately 6 weeks.
Additionally, Calendula is known to deter pests, including deer and rabbits, making it useful for protecting vegetable gardens.
Marigold (Tagetes Spp.)
With a bushy growth and a spectrum of yellow, orange, and red blooms, Marigolds are one of the easiest plants to grow from seeds. They attract beneficial insects and thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Sow marigolds directly in the soil for a continuous display of color through the warmer months. Marigolds germinate in 5–7 days, bloom in 6–8 weeks.
In the right climate, you’ll only need to sow marigolds once – leave the flowers to go to seed and they’ll spring up everywhere the next season!
Cornflower (Centaurea Cyanus)
A classic cottage garden plant, cornflowers produce delicate pastel flowers. They sprout in 7–10 days and bloom in 6–8 weeks. Cornflowers are undemanding, thriving in full sun and tolerating drought and poor soil.
California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica)
The California Poppy stands out with its bold orange flowers and striking blue-green foliage. It’s an easy-to-grow choice that self-seeds. Thriving in full sun and well-drained soil, this drought-resistant plant is perfect for adding a touch of the wild to cultivated gardens. Direct sow in spring for a summer full of bright, cheerful blooms.
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Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus)
Sunflowers, with their iconic stature and bright faces, bring joy to any garden. They range from towering giants to more manageable varieties, all of which thrive in full sun and fertile soil. These flowers are best sown directly where they are to grow, as they don’t transplant well. They will germinate in 7–10 days and bloom in 6–8 weeks for dwarf varieties.
All you need to do then is water consistently but lightly, and you’ll be rewarded with a glorious display of towering sunflowers!
Morning Glory
Morning Glory vines are famous for their large, trumpet-shaped blue flowers that open each morning and close in the afternoon. They require full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering. These vines are typically annual but may be perennial in warmer climates. Plant morning glory for a dynamic, daily display of vibrant blooms.
Drummond Phlox (Phlox Drummondii)
Drummond Phlox produces clusters of 1-inch flowers in shades of white, pink, or red with a contrasting center eye. They germinate in 5–10 days, and flower in 6–8 weeks. Drummond Phlox prefers full sun and well-drained soil. When established, it tolerates drought well and will attract beneficial pollinating insects to your garden.