17 Easy Annual Flowers That You Can Grow From Seeds
What could be more natural than pushing a seed into the earth, or scattering a handful across the ground? And yet, we all know the disappointment that can come from planting seeds only to find nothing happening. Don’t let this turn you off from trying again! The species on this list are all known to do well when started from seed.
The Pot marigold is a herbaceous perennial plant often recognized by its thick, orange-yellow blooms with numerous petals. Flowers of the Pot marigold have a long history of table use. They are often served in salads or as a decoration. The flowers can also be made into a similarly-colored dye for foods, textiles, or cosmetic products.
Centaurea cyanus is known by several names, like cornflower and bachelor’s button. This flower has a beautiful blue color that was a favorite of famed Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. Today it is a Crayola crayon color as well as an HTML color name. The color is defined as a medium to light blue that contains very little green.
Garden cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is a herbaceous annual plant often cultivated as an ornamental in temperate regions. Due to its self-sowing ability, Garden cosmos can grow on the same spot for several years, even though it is an annual. Not surprisingly, this quality also made it an invasive species in certain areas of the world.
Sulfur cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) is an annual flowering plant native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. Though widely used as an ornamental plant, Sulfur cosmos is considered an invasive species in the United States. It attracts bees and butterflies, including the notable monarch butterfly.
The Common sunflower is recognizable for its bright flower on a very tall stem. It is often grown in gardens. These flowers have been important in culture: they were worshipped by the ancient Inca people, and today, they represent eco-friendly movements. The artist Vincent Van Gogh made a famous series of paintings about Common sunflower s. Wild versions of the plant branch out to many flower heads, but domesticated plants typically only have one.
Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) is flowering herbaceous plant native to Eastern Africa. Its vividly colored, elegant flowers have made it one of the most popular ornamental plants in the world. Impatiens is often used as a bedding plant in parks and gardens worldwide.
Common morning-glory natives in Mexico and Central America and is commonly planted as an ornamental plant prized for its colorful trumpet-shaped flowers. It is naturalized in temperate and subtropical areas globally and in many places, always grown weedy and is considered to be invasive in many parts of the world.
Hyacinth bean (Lablab purpureus) is a bean plant native to the tropics of Africa. Its beans are consumed as a food and it is also referred to as the butter bean or the poor man’s bean. Young pods are consumed widely as a vegetable in Asia. If not properly cooked, Hyacinth bean is toxic.
Sweet pea is a staple of flowering climbers and has been since the Victorian era. The Sweet pea, which uses tendrils to climb when correct supports are available, grows to a height of 40 in 80 in. The highly fragrant flowers are purple when found in the wild, but domesticated cultivars can be found in nearly every color.
Flax (Linum usitatissimum) is a slender, straight, and narrow-leafed annual that produces sky-blue flowers in June and July. After blooming, each flower produces a seed pod of 4 to 10 seeds. Flax is cultivated for its fiber, linseed oil, and edible seeds. It prefers full sun and cool weather and will grow from 2 to 3 feet tall.
Lobularia maritima, commonly known as Sweet alyssum, is an annual flowering plant that grows very low and has a tendency to spread its branches over the soil, creating a mat. That is why this lovely ornamental is an excellent choice for a groundcover or a bedding plant.
The Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is an annual flower that carries great symbolism in many cultures. During World War One, the Common poppy could be found blooming between trenches in France and Belgium; afterwards, it became an international symbol of fallen soldiers. This poppy does not produce opium.
Mexican marigold is a common garden plant with bright orange or red flowers. Its use in decorative and ceremonial gardens dates back to ancient Aztec civilizations. Not only does Mexican marigold add bright colors, but it is also known to repel insects, rabbits, and deer thanks to its toxic latex.
The Nasturtium is often associated with the “Elizabeth Linnaeus Phenomenon”, an optical illusion that makes the contrasting orange flowers and green foliage appear to flash brightly as it shakes in the wind. Nasturtium is cultivated as an ornamental plant. The disc-shaped leaves and seed pods are edible, usually getting used as garnishes and dressings.
The Common zinnia is a popular garden plant. It thrives in relatively dry conditions with good airflow. Garden varieties come in many colors, usually having been hybridized from different wild varieties. Common zinnias are considered an allergy-safe pollen-producing flower.
Rocky mountain zinnia (Zinnia grandiflora) is a small subshrub that can grow to be 22 cm tall. Rocky mountain zinnia is native to the southwestern United States, the southern central United States, and Mexico. This species was traditionally used by the Zuni people in spiritual ceremonies.
Love-in-a-mist is a member of the buttercup family with leaves that resemble those of the dill plant. The flowers, which bloom in early summer, sport tiny black seeds at their centers. Love-in-a-mist seeds get added to bread in some Middle-Eastern countries with a flavor like oregano or nutmeg. But note that it could be toxic if ingested in quantities.