10 Fast Growing Flower Seeds

Quick blooming flowers to grow from seed

In this article I’ve put together a list of the fastest growing flower seeds that will fill up your garden with beautiful bright blooms in the shortest time possible.

Most of these seeds germinate in less than a week and flower in about two months.

These flower seeds are also great for the classroom and teaching kids about gardening at home.

This post contains affiliate links. Please read the disclosure for more info.

10 FAST GROWING FLOWER SEEDS

1. Petunia (Petunia × atkinsiana)

Petunias are popular, fast growing annuals that bloom all summer.

They love warm weather and look great in garden beds, hanging baskets and containers.

Petunia seeds can be sprinkled in the garden in early spring. They can also be started indoors about 10 weeks before planting time.

The seeds will germinate in 7 – 10 days and the plants will bloom in about 12 weeks.

2. Poppy (Papaver somniferum)

Poppies are great for brightening up your garden with their beautiful orange, yellow, pink and red flowers.

Poppies don’t like to be transplanted, so it’s best to plant them directly in the garden.

The seeds need light to germinate, so just press the seeds lightly into the soil with your finger.

It takes 10 – 21 days for the seeds to germinate and 9 – 12 weeks for the plants to bloom.

Most varieties of poppies re-seed readily, so you’ll have free plants the next year.

3. Sunflower (Helianthus)

Sunflowers are popular, rapid growing annuals with large yellow flowers.

The seeds can be planted in spring when the soil is warm and they’ll germinate in 7 – 10 days and begin to bloom in about 10 weeks. [1]

Sunflowers grow best in full sun and may require staking to protect against high winds and heavy rain.

4. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums are fast growing annuals that have bright orange, yellow and red flowers.

The flowers, leaves and seeds are edible and have a peppery taste similar to watercress.

Nasturtium seeds germinate best in warm soil and they can be planted directly in the garden or in containers after the last frost of the season.

It takes about 10 to 14 days for nasturtium seeds to germinate and they will begin blooming in 5 to 7 weeks.

In cold climates, or to get an earlier start, you can plant the seeds in containers indoors and transplant them to the garden in spring.

RELATED: 10 Best Trailing Annual Flowers

5. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Sweet Alyssum is a quick growing annual that produces masses of tiny fragrant flowers. They’re great for ground covers, rock gardens and pots.

Sweet alyssum seeds germinate fast, usually in about 4 days.

The seeds can be started indoors a month before ​the last frost, or outdoors in the garden after the risk frost has passed.

Sweet alyssums can be grown in a spot with full sun or partial shade.

6. Marigold (Tagetes)

Marigolds are popular, fast growing annuals with beautiful bright orange and yellow flowers.

The seeds can be planted directly in the garden after the risk of frost has passed, or started indoors four to six weeks before the last frost of the season.

Sprinkle the seeds over the soil and press down lightly with your finger.

Marigold seeds germinate in less than a week when planted in warm, moist soil and will begin to flower in about 8 weeks.

7. Zinnia (Zinnia elegans)

Zinnia is one of the fastest-growing annuals from seed.

The seeds germinate in 7 to 10 days and start blooming in 60 to 70 days.

Zinnia doesn’t like being transplanted so it’s best to plant the seeds directly in the garden in spring when the weather is warm.

RELATED: 15 Colorful Annual Flowers

8. Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus)

Cornflowers, also known as Bachelor’s Buttons, are quick-growing flowers that are great for attracting bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to the garden.

As well as blue, the flowers also come in pink, purple, white and red varieties. The flowers are edible and can be used as a garnish or added to salads.

Cornflower seeds germinate in 7 – 10 days and the plants begin to bloom in about 90 days.

Cornflowers grow best in sunny spots with rich, fertile soil.

9. Nigella (Nigella sativa)

Nigella has beautiful flowers in a range of colors including blue, white, pink and purple.

They grow best from seeds planted directly in the garden rather than from transplanted seedlings.

Nigella grows well in full sun, but the plants can decline rapidly in very hot weather.

The seeds germinate in 7 – 14 days and it’s a good idea to sow a few rounds of seeds from late spring to early summer because they only bloom for a few weeks.

10. Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus)

Cosmos are easy to grow annuals that come in a range of colors including pink, red, orange, yellow, maroon and white.

They’re fast growing, drought tolerant and grow best in soil that isn’t too rich.

Cosmos prefer a position in full sun but they need protection from strong winds.

The seeds will germinate in 5 – 7 days and they’ll begin to bloom in about 7 weeks.

Planting these fast growing flower seeds is a great way to bring color to your garden, pots and containers with masses of beautiful flowers.

Here’s a handy video to show you how to grow Zinnia flowers from seed. They’re one of the fastest growing flowers from seed and great for brightening up your garden.

RELATED ARTICLES

• 5 Winter Flowering Annuals
• 10 Easy Annuals To Grow From Seed
• 7 Beautiful Bell-Shaped Flowers
• How to Plant Small Flower Seeds

What are your favorite fast growing flowers? Let me know in the comments below.

Are you on Pinterest? I have boards dedicated to Flower Gardening and Gardening Tips that you may enjoy. You can also find me on Facebook.

this idea

Fast growing flower seeds