My goal as always is to give you practical gardening tips, a little guidance, and maybe even some inspiration.
Today, I’m sharing five annual flowers that are easy to grow from seed. Three you might already know. The other two? They might surprise you—but trust me, you’ll want them in your garden. Discover 5 easy-to-grow annual flowers to start from seed in February. Get nonstop blooms, drought-tolerant picks, and seed-saving tips for next season.
Marigolds: Hardy, Reliable, and a Garden Favorite
If you’ve ever planted flowers before, you’ve probably grown marigolds. And for good reason. They germinate quickly, grow strong, and bloom non-stop through the warm months. These tough little flowers belong in every garden.
Marigolds come in many varieties. There are large, ball-shaped blooms and smaller, compact dwarf types. I’m especially fond of French marigolds. Their deep red and fiery orange petals add bold color, and they grow about a foot tall. Unlike some delicate flowers, French marigolds have real presence in a garden bed.
To keep them blooming, deadhead spent flowers regularly. This simple step encourages constant reblooming from spring through fall. As summer winds down, save some dried blooms. Store them in an airtight container, and you’ll have plenty of seeds for next year—enough to fill your entire garden with marigolds.
Bonus? Marigolds are natural mosquito repellents. Tuck them into your flower beds, along pathways, or near outdoor seating areas for a splash of color and some pest protection.
Cosmos: Graceful, Airy, and Always in Motion
Cosmos bring more than just color to the garden—they bring movement. Their delicate, feathery foliage catches the wind, creating a soft, swaying effect that adds a dynamic touch to any flower bed.
Depending on the variety, cosmos can reach an impressive 3 to 4 feet tall, making them a great choice for back borders or adding height to container gardens. Like marigolds, they reward regular deadheading with continuous blooms all summer long.
As the season winds down, let some flowers go to seed. Collect and store them in an airtight container, and you’ll have plenty to plant again next year.
Snapdragons: Resilient, Playful, and Full of Color
Snapdragons were the first flowers I remember from childhood. My mom showed me how to pinch the blooms, making them look like tiny dragon heads opening and closing their mouths. It’s a simple joy, but one that sticks with you.
Beyond their charm, snapdragons are tough. They reseed themselves effortlessly, popping up year after year. In my garden, they even grow between the pavers on my patio—wherever they land, they thrive. These flowers simply don’t quit.
Snapdragons come in a wide range of colors. They also rebloom constantly without the need for deadheading. Dwarf varieties stay around 6 to 8 inches tall, while standard ones can reach about a foot.
As summer winds down, watch for their seed pods. These tiny spheres have three distinct holes, resembling miniature coconuts or bowling balls. Each pod holds a multitude of seeds—enough to start plenty of new plants next season. But be careful—snapdragon seeds are tiny! A few go a long way when starting seedlings.
Godetia: The Blooming Powerhouse You Need to Grow
Here’s the first of two annuals you might not know—but absolutely should.
Godetia, also known as Clarkia amoena, is named after the explorer William Clark. (There’s also a similar flower, Elegant Clarkia, but that’s a story for another time.)
This plant is criminally underappreciated. It blooms non-stop, thriving through warm and even cooler months. Germination? Effortless. These flowers sprout readily and grow to about 12 inches tall, sometimes more if given space. The deeper the container or garden bed, the bigger they get.
A few years ago, I received a free packet of godetia seeds with another order. I wasn’t expecting much—but these flowers stole the show. Their creamy pink and red blooms kept going strong until the first snowfall. I even have a video of them still thriving in a container on December 10th, long after most flowers had given up.
In late fall, look for their distinctive seed pods—long, almost whimsical, like something out of a Dr. Seuss book. Let them dry, then collect the seeds. You’ll have more than enough to grow a fresh batch next season.
If you haven’t tried growing godetia yet, now’s the time.
Mexican Sunflower: Big Blooms, Bigger Impact
If you want a flower that gives you more for your money, plant Mexican sunflowers (Tithonia rotundifolia).
I first discovered them while searching for a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that could handle poor soil. I mistakenly thought they were perennials. They’re not. But when I say “just an annual,” that’s unfair—because these plants grow huge.
In a small container, they’ll reach about two feet tall. But give them deep, rich soil, and by September, you’ll have towering four-foot bushes covered in brilliant orange blooms. Their color is striking—a fiery red-orange that photos never quite capture.
Mexican sunflowers thrive in full sun and require minimal watering. I usually wait until their leaves start to droop before giving them a drink. They bloom late into the season, often lasting until Thanksgiving in my zone.
Saving seeds? Be careful. Their seed heads hide beneath the petals and can be quite prickly—likely nature’s way of hitching a ride on passing animals. To harvest, snip off entire heads, store them in a jar, and deal with them next spring.
Bonus: They make stunning cut flowers, adding a bold pop of color to any arrangement.
Do you have poppy seeds
Hello, thank you for asking! I do not currently stock poppy seeds, though I will add it to my seed family for next year. Poppies grow fabulously!