15 Of The Easiest And Fastest-Growing Flowers For Impatient Gardeners
Farmers, gardeners, and others who work the land full time know what an arduous process growing and cultivating can be. And when us non-green thumbs see the final results on our Pinterest or Instagram feed, we might envy the gorgeous flower beds and perfect fruits and vegetables we see. We might also get dangerously inspired — which leads many to begin starting a garden of their own, blissfully ignorant as to how much time it really does take to grow a healthy, thriving outdoor area.
The good news? If you're a busy person with a jam-packed schedule — or honestly just admittedly impatient — there are plenty of flowers you can grow quickly and easily. Gardening will teach you the value of slowing down and enjoying the little things, but, fortunately, there are still some beautiful instant (almost) gratification options for those of us who thrive off quick results. According to Garden Fundamentals, you can make flowers grow even faster by starting them off in containers indoors while you're waiting for that final frost to pass.
1. Zinnias
Zinnias (Zinnia sp) are true show-offs in any garden. According to American Meadows, zinnias can grow either low to the ground or boldly tall, and come in an impressive variety of colors. They are an annual flower, making a big impression each summer before fading off, and they're a favorite of bees and butterflies. Zinnias like warmer climates if they're growing in the shade, but there are plenty of climates in which they'll do just fine.
Bloom Season: Mid-summer until frost
USDA Growing Zone: 3-10
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Neutral, well-drained
Size: 1-4 feet tall, 6-18 inches wide
2. Johnny jump-ups
Johnny jump-ups (viola tricolor) are a fun option for the truly impatient gardening crowd. True to their name, they have a reputation for sprouting up everywhere if allowed to. Per Gardener's Path, growing them in a container near your garden may result in their seed scattering and resulting in new blooms within a matter of a week or so.
Bloom Season: Spring and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 8
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Size: 6-8 inches tall and wide
3. Cornflowers
Cornflowers (Centaurea cyanus) are bright, beautiful flowers that are hardy enough to handle changing seasons. Bees are big fans and will pay a visit to cornflowers in the summertime. According to Edible Wild Food, cornflowers are also edible, so you can use this fast-blooming flower as a food garnish or cake decoration if you wish.
Bloom Season: Spring and summer
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Moist and well-drained
Size: 12–48 inches tall, 10–12 inches wide
4. Cosmos
Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus) resemble daisies in appearance, and are notoriously low-drama. According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, they'll grow well even in poor soil, and grow quickly and easily from seeds in both containers and garden beds. They come in a variety of colors and can grow quite tall — a great choice for impatient green(ish) thumbs!
Bloom Season: Summer and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained soil
Size: 1-6 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide
5. California poppies
Poppies (Eschscholzia californica) come in many varieties, but California poppies are one of the easiest to grow when you're ready for a commitment to flowers, but not too big of one. According to California.com, California poppies can go from seed to first bloom in two months' time. Plant them in the fall or winter when you want spring and summer blooms.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 6–10
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained
Size: 12–18 inches tall and wide
6. Marigolds
Marigolds (genus Tagetes) can be grown indoors in the winter and then transferred to your garden after the last frost has passed; this will expedite the process toward an attractive, complete-looking flower bed. According to Empress of Dirt, they germinate in four to 12 days and are blooming by around day 70. Marigolds love sun, so plant them and let them bake.
Bloom Season: Early summer to late fall
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained, fertile soil
Size: 6 inches to 3 feet tall
7. Sunflowers
Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are beloved and easily recognizable, but are they easy to grow? Absolutely. Place them in direct sunlight for at least six to eight hours per day, and they will sprout up quickly and lift their happy faces toward the sky. According to HGTV, they grow well in loose soil that is well-drained.
Bloom Season: Summer and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained
Size: 3–10 feet tall, 1.5–3 feet wide
8. Petunias
Petunias (genus Petunia) aren't just quick growing compared to other annuals, they also endure for quite some time. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, they can bloom from early spring until late frost. They come in a variety of color options and thrive in both gardens and containers.
Bloom Season: Spring, summer, and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 10 and 11
Growing Conditions: Full size
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Size: 6–24 inches tall, 6-36 inches wide
9. Morning glories
Morning glories (Ipomoea purpurea) can grow quickly and virtually anywhere. That should also serve as a bit of a warning. Morning glories will satisfy your itch for quick growth and beautiful blooms, but they will also choke out trees, fences, and even houses if not well-maintained, per Insteading. Godspeed.
Bloom Season: Summer and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Well-drained, moist
Size: 6–10 feet tall, 3–6 feet wide
10. Calendulas
Calendulas (Calendula officinalis) are beautiful golden flowers that will look beautiful in any garden. They grow fairly quickly and don't need a lot of special care or concern, but according to American Meadows, they do need to be watered regularly. Make sure you have the time to work that into your schedule if you want the best of these lovely blooms.
Bloom Season: Spring, summer, and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Well-drained
Size: 1-2 feet tall and wide
11. Nigella
Nigellas (Nigella damascena) are also known as "love-in-a-mist" flowers, which perfectly describe these beautiful, wispy-petaled blooms. Johnny's Selected Seeds states that nigellas will germinate in around two weeks or less, and you should sow them every few weeks in order to ensure continuous color in your garden during their blooming season.
Bloom Season: Spring, summer, and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Well-drained
Size: 8–20 inches tall, 3–6 inches wide
12. Phlox
Phlox (Phlox drummondii) is a colorful flower that blooms in clusters and can spread to large areas. It plays well with other plants and flowers, so it can serve as either a focal point or an accent plant. Truly Experiences states that once phlox has established itself, it grows well with low maintenance.
Bloom Season: Spring and summer
USDA Growing Zone: 2-11
Growing Conditions: Full sun and partial shade
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Size: 6–12 inches tall and wide
13. Flax
The flax (Linum usitatissimum) flower has become more well-known over the last few decades for its seeds, but it's a pretty blue flower as well. According to American Meadows, flax is a short-lived perennial, blooming relatively quickly and closing up just as suddenly. The flowers are a great choice for someone who doesn't mind a brief blooming season in exchange for a flower that's easy to maintain.
Bloom Season: Summer
USDA Growing Zone: 3-8
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Sandy and loamy
Size: 2-3 feet tall, 1 foot wide
14. Nasturtium
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum spp.) is stunning with its bright yellow petals and deep red accents. According to NC State Extension, it has also been used in culinary circles as an edible flower and its oil can be used for seasoning. Whether you're using it for cooking or filling out a garden, it's a useful and easy-to-grow plant with its quick blooming.
Bloom Season: Spring, summer, and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 9-11
Growing Conditions: Full sun
Soil Type: Moist, well-drained
Size: 1-10 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide
15. Sweet alyssum
Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is a fragrant flower that, according to Wisconsin Horticulture at UWM Extension, smells like honey. They grow densely, which makes them great for crowding out weeds while also looking beautiful. They come in a few color varieties, so consider mixing colors paired with white alyssum for a vibrant flower bed.
Bloom Season: Spring and fall
USDA Growing Zone: 5-9
Growing Conditions: Full or partial sun
Soil Type: Moist and well-drained
Size: 3–10 inches tall, 2–4 inches wide