You can enjoy beautiful blooms in as little as six weeks!
10 Fast-Growing Flowers
Updated Dec. 20, 2023
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As fall approaches, many gardeners may be reflecting on the flowers they could have grown this summer — and didn’t. But depending on where you live, the window of opportunity for planting hasn’t totally closed yet.
In addition to fast-growing shrubs and plants, there are many beautiful blooms with short maturation timelines you can plant late and still reap the rewards before winter rolls in. Here are ten of our favorite fast-growing flowers.
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Bachelor’s Buttons
These sweet, delicate flowers can germinate in just seven to 15 days, according to Balcony Garden Web. Their pom-pom blooms come in blue, pink and white shades, all attracting pollinators to your garden. In 60 to 90 days, you will have an array of whimsical flowers — just in time for that first frost!
Editor’s Tip: A small plant budget can go a long way toward increasing your home’s attractiveness. So if you’re looking to enhance your surroundings to attract potential buyers, try these 5 ways that plant can help you sell your house.
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Cosmos
With paper-thin petals and bright yellow centers, cosmos are a popular flower for daisy-loving gardeners. But their five-to-10-day germination window and minimal maintenance requirements also make them a perfect match for beginner gardeners. Try adding them to your garden now, and in seven weeks you’ll be rewarded with white, pink and red blooms.
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Four O’Clocks
These cupped, petunia-like flowers were given this name because their petals open up towards the end of the day. Their seeds germinate in one to three weeks, with full flowers appearing in 12 weeks.
Known for their plentiful nectar, this striated, vibrant bloom will attract moths and hummingbirds, according to Southern Living.
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Marigolds
Marigolds are fall favorite flowers for a reason. Hearty and versatile, they can repel pests and attract pollinators.
They germinate in four days and bloom in six weeks, according to Real Simple. Better yet, they can withstand high heat and full sun. So if you live in a growing zone with warmer fall weather, this is the flower for you.
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Morning Glories
Because morning glories are native to tropical regions, they love a hot, humid climate. Gardeners preparing for the dog days of summer and a preternaturally hot fall should sow seeds now. The speedy vines will trail through the garden or crawl up a trellis in 10 to 16 weeks.
However, this plant is not a good choice for those with outdoor pets, because the seeds are toxic and spread easily.
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Nasturtiums
This classic, delicate flower wilts in peak summer heat, so late summer/early fall is the perfect time to sow their seeds! They germinate in just one week, then bloom eight to 12 weeks later, according to Southern Living.
For the best blossoms, keep them shaded in the afternoon and do not fertilize. Overly nutrient-dense soil can yield fewer flowers.
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Poppies
Who doesn’t love a simple, playful poppy? Though delicate in appearance, poppies are surprisingly hardy and can withstand drought conditions. Additionally, they’re self-seeding, so they can easily proliferate year after year. With a germination period of one to two weeks, they’ll fully mature in 60 to 90 days.
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Snapdragons
Named for their dragonhead-shaped blooms, these add distinctive color and texture to any garden. Their seeds germinate in seven to ten days, and their tall spires will shoot up within eight weeks, according to Simple Garden Life. Once the blossoms are fully mature, they’ll attract many hummingbirds to your garden.
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Sunflowers
The seeds of this cheery autumn plant can germinate in six to 12 days, according to Balcony Garden Web. However, because there are dozens of sunflower varieties, make sure the one you select has a short maturation time (50 to 60 days).
Dwarf varieties, like the Firecracker Sunflower, will bloom the fastest. But if you’re set on florist sunflowers, try the Ruby Eclipse, which Floret Farms calls one of the “fastest flowering varieties.” Here are a few tips for growing sunflowers from seeds.
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Zinnias
Zinnias‘ preference for hot weather makes them a perfect match for last-minute gardeners. Their seeds can germinate in as little as five days, according to Southern Living, and will start blooming in eight weeks. Make sure to stay on top of your pruning and deadheading to get the most blooms possible from this happy plant!
Originally Published: August 24, 2023
