In this blog post, you will find easy-to-follow instructions on how to grow flowers from seeds. I am describing 5 flower types with which I have the most experience. Additionally, I feel these are easy flowers to start with for beginners.
When you think of flowers in your outdoor space, you may get overwhelmed. So many different kinds that need special care etc. Well, let’s look at it simply… It is like with every plant unless you try to give it a go, it will likely not grow. Treat this blog post as an introduction on how to grow flowers from seeds: A Beginner’s guide for any space. It could be in your garden, balcony or outdoor space. Whatever one is available to you 🙂
Intro to my flower experiments
A while ago I lived in an apartment on the 8th floor where I started my experiments with plants. I loved to see how things grow and flowers give joy to me. My husband would always opt out for a plant that gives a tangible produce such as fruit or vegetable. In my mind – all should live in symbiosis, and the more the merrier. So I grew flowers, veggies and some fruit on the balcony.
I struggled to find clear information on what to plant and how to care for it. I often came across quite a lot of details that were useless to me at the time. Eg. When I was checking out some ‘gardening books’ I found chapters on types of tulips and different colours available. More – some of them had all their botanical names written in Latin. All was well and good, but basic info on how to grow it was not always there.
Here I come with the guide below, where I will share a few flowers to grow as a beginner. How to grow flowers from seeds and where to grow them too. Since it is one of my ‘Beginners Guide’ series, the choice of flowers is simple. I will do another post on bulb flowers and how to care for them soon.
How to grow flowers from seeds: Sunflowers
My absolute favourites! They are the happy flowers 🙂
Above you can see how once I had too much undeveloped garden and decided to buy a few sunflower seeds. Let’s just say, things went out of hand (literally!). I ended up having a massive row of sunflowers. I loved it! It was turning many heads of passersby and putting a smile on their faces too.
Where to plant sunflowers from seeds:
- Pots, containers on terraces or balconies
- Straight to the ground in your garden on a flower bed or a random place – it will be cool!
If planting on the balcony – ensure a large pot. They develop big roots, and you want them to be stable. If you grow a big heavy one, get them a support stick or plant in groups.
If planting in the garden – weed the land first and loosen the earth. Then place a seed and cover it with 1-2 cm of soil max.
It is important to cover sunflowers otherwise – wind, birds or other predators may just ruin the fun.
Sunflowers like full sun. They will grow much smaller in partially shaded space. After planting, keep them moist – they should germinate within a week to two weeks. Once seedlings emerge water well but infrequently, let the soil dry out every few days.
Watch them grow. You should have flowers within 80-100 days. They will also develop seeds, which you should feel free to harvest and never buy seeds again. If you leave them out for winter, you will make birds happy – they will eat seeds out of the flower.
Important: plant after the risk of frost. If you want to start it indoors, best is to do it a month before you plan to put them in their designated place. It is important to mention that sunflowers don’t like to change location. I would advise planting them straight into their designated place.
How to grow flowers from seeds: Calendula
Calendulas have vibrant yellow and orange colours. Once you plant them, you may have to try very hard for them not to just appear again.
I only ever bought one bag of seeds and did not even use it all. The seeds after the season do very well in the soil (even during winter) and just pop again next year.
Similarly, to sunflowers, you can plant on a balcony in pots or straight to the ground. They prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. The flowers are not too picky about soil conditions but prefer well-drained soil. Plant them in a depth of 1-2cm and use soil with compost if you have one available. During germination keep soil constantly moist, but not waterlogged. Once you start seeing green plants, water infrequently every few days. You will see first blooms as early as 45 days from seeding.
To keep them flowering for longer deadhead the plant by snipping or pinching them off at the base of the stem. It will encourage more flowers. They keep going for a long time. I live in central Europe and often have them until mid-November.
Calendulas are beneficial for other plants. They help by attracting helpful insects – producing nectar-rich flowers that attract pollinators (bees, butterflies etc). These insects play a crucial role in pollinating your other plants – tomatoes, peppers, fruit trees – you name it.
They are also a natural pest repellent – helpful with repelling pests such as aphids and nematodes. Calendulas also improve tomato flavour. Their roots help break up compacted soil and improve soil structure. They are also used in herbal medicine (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and wound healing) and the kitchen as edible flowers.
When in doubt – plant calendulas!
How to grow flowers from seeds: Coneflower / Echinacea
Coneflowers have a beautiful purple colour with many shades available. Echinacea are also perennials which in short means that they live for more than two years, blooming season after season. I decided to do a section on this beautiful flower simply because it is an easy-to-grow plant, requiring low maintenance. It also gives colourful diversity to the chosen flower selection described in this blog post.
Choose the right location:
Coneflowers prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. At least 6 hours a day of sunlight is ideal. Here again, it can be in the ground directly, or in containers on your balcony or terrace. They like to be in well-draining soil if the soil is heavy clay or compacted – amend it with compost.
When sowing them directly, the best is to do it in early spring or late autumn. Cover it lightly with soil and water. Within 10 to 20 days germination will start and seedlings will emerge when temperatures warm up.
Water newly planted coneflowers regularly until they settle in. Once they are established they are quite drought-tolerant so occasional watering will be enough.
For care and maintenance, remember if the plant does not flower straight away, just exercise patience. Sometimes flowers come in the next season – it is worth the wait! When flowered you can deadhead – remove spent bloom, this will encourage more flowers and extend the blooming period.
In the winter leave the seed heads on the plant for birds – just like sunflowers you will contribute to feeding birds. You can cut back dead stems in early spring and collect seeds that are left. Feel free to plant some more and maybe share with a neighbour or a friend.
How to grow flowers from seeds: Zinnias
Zinnias have an endless variety of colours, sizes and shapes which makes them unique. It is worth mentioning that they are typically annuals meaning that they complete their life cycle in one growing season. I have yet to see them grow from seed that would just stay in the ground (so self-seed). It may be due to the place in the garden where I grow them or the geographical location (central Europe). Zinnias after blooming will die when frost arrives and you will need to replant them again next year.
This should not discourage you, the flowers are beautiful and once they grow they are easy to look after. They are also low-maintenance plants, like full sun and well-draining soil and can tolerate some drought once established.
Choose the right location:
Zinnias can be grown on the balcony as well as directly in the garden. They are warm-season flowers and should be planted after the danger of frost has passed. They like it when the soil has warmed up – usually in late spring. You can also start them indoors (they don’t mind location change that much). If that’s your plan, plant them about 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost in your area.
Zinnias thrive in full sun – choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Soil should be well-draining. Loosen the soil to approx. 10-15 cm and clear of all weeds. Place the seeds spaced every 3-5 cm and cover with 1 cm soil. Water the area gently to help settle the soil and encourage germination. Zinnias germinate quickly, usually within 5 to 10 days, especially in warm soil.
You should see the first flowers between 60 to 90 days from planting. Some people are thinning the plants so that they have enough space to grow. I just let them be and enjoy the colours once they flower. These flowers reward you for cutting deadheads—with each cut, you’ll see more blooms.
How to grow flowers from seeds: Cosmos
This year I discovered Cosmos and I already know I will want them blooming in my garden next year. The flowers are beautiful and come in pink, purple, white, red or orange colours. Depending on variety they can grow up to 180cm tall. So choose a variety that fits your space.
Similarly to Zinnias Cosmos are annuals so they complete their life cycle in one growing season. However, they are known for self-seeding and popping back up in the next seasons.
Just like the rest of the flowers described in this blog post, you can grow these flowers from seeds easily.
Choose the right location:
The balcony, terrace or in the garden. You can start them indoors or directly outside. If outside – ensure that there is no more risk of frost. Cosmos love full sun and well-draining soil but tolerate poor or dry soil. They don’t like to be fertilised, if you do fertilise they may bloom less.
Sow seeds about 1 cm deep and try to space them every 20-30 cm. Once they grow and you see that they are too dense, thin them by pulling out some plants. This will give them space. Cosmos should be watered regularly, but light after planting. They are also drought-tolerant once established, so can be watered every few days. You will see the first colourful blooms after 70 to 90 days from seeding. In this case, deadheading will encourage more flowers and extend their blooming period.
In the above post, I am sharing some simple ways to grow flowers from seeds in your outdoor space.
To summarise check the cool infographic by clicking button below:
Benefits of growing flowers from seeds
It would not be me if I had not mentioned the benefits of flowers in your space. Starting from having something to care for, look forward to blooming and enhancing your space with beauty. It is so much nicer to drink that morning coffee surrounded by flowers 🙂. Being surrounded by greenery has a calming effect and we all live very busy, stressful lives.
By flower cultivation, you also help the environment. Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is helping to mitigate climate change. Especially described above methods of growing, for your pleasure, not mass produced – you are simply contributing.
Flowers attract pollinators – will help your general ecosystem in the garden and your local area, by attracting bees, insects, birds and butterflies. These animals transfer pollen from one to another supporting reproduction of flowering plants. This in turn ensures the survival of many plant species but also facilitates food production. Many crops simply rely on pollination.
Additionally, you get to contribute to the feeding of birds, bees and other insects. Other benefits include:
- Habitat creation for various organisms – providing shelter and breeding grounds for insects
- Soil health – improvement of soil quality through root systems, which helps prevent erosion and maintain soil structure
- Calendulas, sunflower seeds and coneflower are edible. This can contribute to your well-being and connection between people and nature
Now, turn off the screen and go for a walk, think of flowers you will start cultivating soon and enjoy!
With a love for nature,
Anna B-M
