13 Annual Flowers to Grow from Seed

Annual flowers are a must-have in every flower garden. While perennials form the foundation of your beds, annuals add interest and variety, changing season after season.

Although you have to plant them again every year, this provides a great opportunity to experiment and change up your garden design, ensuring there is always something exciting to look forward to.

Many annuals are easy to grow from seed, offering almost endless choices in color, shape, and size. They generally have short life cycles, making them great for impatient gardeners who don’t want to wait a full year or longer to see blooms. You can also plant these seeds directly in containers to add some seasonal color that’s easy to swap out later.

These 13 annual flowers are easy to grow from seed, regardless of your gardening experience. Try a few different varieties to find your favorites.

Zinnia

Zinnias are staples of summer gardens. Their intricate, densely packed blooms catch the attention of both gardeners and pollinators. They grow impressively quickly and come in a stunning range of colors to brighten up your space.

These annual flower seeds are not difficult to grow and thrive in tough conditions. I used zinnia seeds to fill one of my sandy beds where other plants struggled to grow, and they thrived throughout the summer.

With so many to choose from, you’re bound to find a zinnia you fall in love with. You can opt for something bright and large like ‘California Giants’ blend or a more neutral option like ‘Key Lime Pie‘ blend. No matter which you choose, you can be sure they will attract masses of bees and butterflies to your summer garden. These joyful flowers also look wonderful in a vase, extending your efforts indoors.

Outdoor sowing is recommended for these plants, as they don’t appreciate root disturbance. Wait until 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date before sowing directly into well-draining soil. These annuals thrive in warmer weather and withstand heat well.

Cosmos

Cosmos grow surprisingly quickly for their size, with some varieties flowering just 10 weeks after sowing. The delicate flowers and foliage of these annual flowers are great for adding height to garden beds without overshadowing your perennials. The tall stems also make excellent cut flowers, either on their own or mixed with other flowering annuals.

There are many beautiful varieties to choose from, making the hardest part picking your favorites. If you have a warmer color palette, you can try varieties like ‘Diablo’ or ‘Bright Lights.’ For something softer, try ‘Apricotta’ or ‘Seashells‘ blend.

This annual is another pollinator magnet that requires little attention to thrive. Like zinnias, cosmos grow best when directly sown rather than planted in trays. Start your seeds 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, once the soil has reached at least 60°F, and wait for the magic to happen.

Marigold

Marigolds are beautiful to look at, but they also have a wide range of uses that make them garden must-haves. They are popular in vegetable gardens as colorful companion plants with pest control capabilities. They are also used in decor and cultural celebrations around the world. On top of their beauty and uses, some marigolds are edible (although their flavor is quite strong)

Marigolds are technically perennials, but only in the warmest climates. That’s why they are generally treated as annuals and replanted each year.

Depending on which flower form you prefer, you can choose from several different marigold groups, such as African marigolds, French marigolds, and signet marigolds. African marigolds have ruffled, large blooms (like ‘Crackerjack’ and ‘Phyllis’). French marigolds have larger centers and more delicate petals, as in ‘Favorite Blend’. Signet marigolds have smaller flowers but bloom profusely.

No matter which type you choose, you’ll find varieties with a rainbow of warm hues from deep reds to sunny yellows. There are also options ideal for planting in containers if you don’t have much space in your beds, like the adorable ‘Lemon Drop’ French marigold.

Marigolds need warm temperatures to germinate successfully. The soil temperature should be above 70°F, preferably closer to 80°F. Indoor sowing is recommended around 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date. If you can’t get the soil temperatures right, a heating mat can help provide the ideal conditions for growth.

Nasturtium

Another plant with a long list of uses, nasturtiums are excellent annual flowers to grow from seed. They are often grown in edible gardens for their many benefits. For starters, their flowers are edible, as are the leaves, with a peppery taste. The seed pods are also edible and can be used as a replacement for capers.

If you’re not growing them for their edible properties, nasturtiums can be used as a trap crop to lure pests away from your other vegetables. Due to their ease of growth, impressive resilience, and beautiful flowers, they are wonderful annuals to grow just about anywhere.

Nasturtiums are tender perennials that will come back again in USDA zones 10 and warmer. They are generally grown as annuals.

You may picture classic orange and yellow blooms when you think of these nasturtiums, but there are many more varieties to choose from. Try the reddish-pink ‘Cherry Rose Jewel’, the two-toned ‘Peach Melba’, or the pink, purple, and white ‘Purple Emperor’.

Nasturtiums are sensitive to root disturbance and may struggle after transplanting. It’s best to wait until 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date to sow. In milder climates, you can also sow in fall if you want to see winter flowers.

Sweet Peas

While the previous options are great for warmer climates, sweet peas are the annual flower seeds to choose in cooler climates. They thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring, brightening up gardens with beautiful color after gloomy winters.

These annuals have adorable ruffled flowers that look right at home in any cottage garden. They also have a wonderful scent that gives them their common name.

Tall and large blooms like ‘Bouquet’ blend or ‘Mammoth’ blend are great for cutting and provide a range of colors to experiment with in your arrangements. There are also more compact varieties like ‘Little Sweetheart‘ that look great in containers or hanging baskets. Or you can opt for something darker and more dramatic like ‘Beaujolais’.

Sow sweet peas 4 to 6 weeks before your average last frost date directly in the ground. Those in warmer climates should wait until late fall or early winter if you want spring flowers. Don’t plant these seeds too late, as they don’t perform well in warm temperatures. If you live in a region where summers are mild, they may bloom into summer and up until fall.

Sunflower

Sunflowers are one of the most popular annual flowers to grow from seed. It’s hard to imagine, looking at the towering flowers, that they started from a tiny seed just a few weeks before.

Sunflowers are famous for their massive flower heads that follow the sun. They’re great for pollinators, and if you let the flowers go to seed, they’ll also attract a range of birds to your garden. Alternatively, you can always harvest and eat the seeds yourself or plant them again next season.

Choose the variety that best fits the space you have. If you want the largest flower heads you can find, something like ‘Mongolian Giant’ is the one to look for. For a unique color, try ‘Rouge Royale’. And for a unique texture, ‘Goldy Honey Bear’ is a great choice. There are many more to choose from, but all are eye-catching in the garden.

Once the weather has warmed in spring, around 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost, you can direct sow sunflowers outdoors. They don’t transplant well, so it’s best to wait until temperatures are warm enough. If you’re desperate to sow early, use biodegradable pots so you can transfer them straight into the ground.

Snapdragon

A must-have in cut flower gardens, snapdragons have tall flower spikes that command attention. They are named after the movement of the flowers: if you squeeze the sides, they’ll snap open in the shape of a dragon’s head. Along with the beauty they add to gardens, snapdragons are also great for pollinators (particularly bees).

These annual flower seeds perform well in cooler weather and can even be grown as winter annuals in warmer climates. If you live in these warmer climates, start your seeds in late summer or early fall to see flowers pop up in winter. For gardeners in colder climates, it’s best to start 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or as soon as the soil can be worked. If you want to start in trays instead, sow 8 to 10 weeks before your average last frost date.

Snapdragons look stunning on their own or in containers, but they have a much more impressive impact when planted en masse. Opt for a colorful blend like ‘Tall Maximum’ for a spectrum of colors in your flower beds.

Poppies

Poppies have famously delicate blooms that look stunning in the garden and in a vase. These flowers are annuals but reseed well, popping up year after year and acting as perennials.

You aren’t short on options when growing these annual flowers from seed. Classics like ‘American Legion’ red poppies always have their place, but you can try something a little different like the glittering ‘Mother of Pearl’ or the ruffled ‘Peony Double’ blend poppies.

If you’re filling an entire bed and want something tough and resilient, try orange California poppies. These are the state flower of California, native to the U.S. Luckily, all poppies are great for attracting pollinators and bloom prolifically without much attention.

Like a few other seeds on this list, indoor sowing is not recommended. Start your poppies 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost outdoors or when temperatures are reliably above 50°F (depending on your chosen variety). Since they prefer milder temperatures, sow in late summer or early fall if you live in a warmer climate for the best performance.

Impatiens

Impatiens are incredibly reliable annual flower seeds. They are technically perennials in warmer zones, but as they are tender and killed off by frost, they are most commonly grown as annuals across the U.S.

Impatiens are great for shady areas, needing only a few hours of direct sun each day. They are known for their long blooming time, appearing in spring and continuing to flower prolifically up until frost. Due to their tolerance of shady conditions, you can also pop these seeds into containers to grow them as houseplants in front of a sunny windowsill.

Varieties like ‘Midnight Blend’ provide impressive color in a range of hues, adding variety to your garden. As impatiens require warmer temperatures to germinate (around 75°F), it’s best to start these seeds indoors.

Sow 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date and keep the soil warm with the help of a heating mat. Alternatively, wait until 1 to 2 weeks after your last frost date to direct sow outdoors.

Morning Glory

If you’re looking for something tough that can grow in poor soil and drought conditions without fuss, morning glory is the answer. These annual flowers grow prolifically from seed and bloom profusely from summer up until frost.

They grow so vigorously that they are restricted in some areas, so make sure you check your local resources before planting these seeds. It’s best to stick to cooler climates to limit their rapid spread.

Morning glory blooms catch the eye wherever they are planted due to their large size and almost unreal colors. Several have stunning blue hues, a color that’s hard to find in the garden. Try something like ‘Heavenly Blue‘ for a sky blue or ‘Flying Saucer‘ for a unique striped blue and white pattern. If you want more color variety, you can also try blends like ‘Sunrise‘ or ‘Pinwheel‘.

Outdoor sowing is recommended around 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date. Be patient and wait until the soil has warmed, as starting too early can stunt growth and impact later flowering.

If you have to start in trays indoors to extend the season, sow 4 to 6 weeks before transplanting in biodegradable pots and avoid handling the roots.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet alyssum is technically a perennial in USDA zones 5 and warmer. However, they don’t perform as well in the second year, becoming leggy and producing fewer blooms. That’s why it’s best to remove the plants at the end of the season and sow again next year.

Sweet alyssum is another great companion for vegetable gardens for its ability to attract pollinators. They are also great in containers, either on their own or as a low-growing annual to pair with taller flowers in pots. If you have a large space and don’t know how to fill it, these annual flower seeds can be spread in gaps in your garden to add a fragrant scent and pop of color.

White alyssum like ‘Tiny Tim‘ is popular for its neutral colors. If you want something a little brighter, try ‘Allure Pastel’ blend. These annuals will withstand drought and heat, and their flowers are also edible with a mild mustard flavor.

Start alyssum seeds 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost or 1 to 2 weeks after the last frost outdoors. In milder climates, alyssum performs better when sown in fall. In this case, flowers will emerge in winter.

Bachelor’s Button

Adorable bachelor’s buttons delight in summer gardens, attracting pollinators and withstanding drought. These rapidly growing annual flower seeds will bloom just 6 to 8 weeks after sowing, making them ideal for impatient gardeners. Beloved by pollinators, the blooms are also edible and good for garnishing your desserts. If you don’t want to use them in the kitchen, they also make excellent cut flowers.

‘Black Magic’ is one of my favorites, with a dark purple, almost black hue that brings instant drama. For larger flowers, you can try ‘The Bride’ with white ruffled blooms. Or for a mix of colors, try ‘Tall Blend’ with a combination of white, purple, blue, and pink.

As bachelor’s buttons do not transplant well, it’s best to wait to sow outdoors. This should be done around 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date or in late summer or early fall if you want to see blooms the following season. In milder climates, sowing in fall will yield flowers throughout winter.

Flax

Ornamental flax is a reliable annual flower to grow from seed, great for beginner gardeners. It is incredibly easy to grow, handling hot and dry conditions without struggle. It also doesn’t mind poor soil conditions and will produce its showy flowers even in tough spots.

These delicate blooms appear on tall stems and attract a range of pollinators to your gardens. They move gently in the breeze and pair well with other tall, delicate annuals like cosmos.

Look for varieties bred for their ornamental flowers, like ‘Charmer’ blend with a mix of pink, peach, white, and red blooms. These annuals will look right at home in cottage gardens or in any gaps where other plants may struggle to grow.

Wait until 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date to direct sow these seeds in their final positions. They don’t transplant well, but you can sow in biodegradable pots if you want to get a head start. In milder climates, it’s better to wait until fall and grow these flowers as winter annuals.