Flower Seeds
For quick color this summer, sow annuals like zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers and marigolds. They bloom 8 to 10 weeks after you plant them. For flowers that come back every year, choose perennials such as coneflower, black-eyed Susan and lupine. You'll wait a season for most of them to bloom. The collection also covers native wildflowers and pollinator mixes for meadows, borders and butterfly gardens.
Shop by type
How to choose flower seeds
- Annual vs perennial: annuals flower the year you sow and die at frost. Perennials build roots in year one and bloom heavily from year two.
- Direct sow vs start indoors: zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos and nasturtiums go straight into warm soil. Petunias, snapdragons and many perennials are tiny seeds that do better started in trays 6 to 10 weeks early.
- Cold stratification: many natives, including coneflower, milkweed, lupine and columbine, won't sprout until they've had a cold, damp period. Sow them in fall, or chill them in the fridge for 30 to 60 days.
- Seed count: a 100-seed packet covers a bed. For a meadow, buy by weight, at roughly a quarter to a half pound of wildflower mix per 1,000 sq ft.
Sowing guide for popular flowers
| Flower | Type | Sow | Days to bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinnia | Annual | Direct, after last frost | 60 to 70 |
| Sunflower | Annual | Direct, after last frost | 70 to 100 |
| Cosmos | Annual | Direct, after last frost | 60 to 80 |
| Coneflower (Echinacea) | Perennial | Fall direct, or stratify then start indoors | Usually year 2 |
| Lupine | Perennial | Fall, or nick and soak seed before spring sowing | Usually year 2 |
| Poppy | Annual | Surface sow in fall or very early spring | 60 to 90 |
What to skip
- Burying tiny seed. Poppies, snapdragons and petunias need light to germinate. Press them onto the surface instead.
- Generic "wildflower" mixes for a specific region. Pick a mix built for your area, or the non-native species will crowd out the natives after the first year.
FAQ
When should I plant flower seeds?
Sow most annuals after your last frost date. Sow perennials and natives that need cold in fall so winter does the stratifying for you.
What are the easiest flowers to grow from seed?
Zinnias, sunflowers, cosmos, marigolds and nasturtiums. They're big seeds, sprout in a week and tolerate average soil.
Which flower seeds attract pollinators?
Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, milkweed, bee balm, zinnia and native asters. A mix that blooms from spring into fall feeds bees all season.
How long do flower seeds stay viable?
Stored cool and dry, most last 2 to 4 years. Germination rates drop each year after that.
Related collections
Vegetable Seeds · Herb Seeds and Plants · Propagation Trays and Plugs · Seed Starting and Germination
