As a busy mom and avid gardener, I’m always looking for ways to add quick bursts of color to my outdoor spaces.
Over the years, I’ve discovered a treasure trove of fast-growing flowers that can transform bare patches into blooming beauties in no time.
Let me share my favorites with you!
20 Fast-Growing Flowers for Your Garden
1. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet alyssum has been my go-to flower for quick results. These little darlings sprout in just 2-3 weeks and reward you with honey-scented blooms in 6-8 weeks. I love using them as ground cover or in hanging baskets. Just give them well-draining soil and plenty of sunlight, and they’ll thrive with minimal fuss.
2. Candytuft (Iberis)
Candytuft is another speedy bloomer that’s won my heart. With a germination time of 1-2 weeks and flowers appearing in 7-8 weeks, they’re perfect for impatient gardeners like me. I’ve found they’re incredibly low-maintenance and thrive easily in sunny spots with good drainage.
3. Snapdragons
Oh, how I adore snapdragons! These tall beauties take about 8-10 weeks to bloom, but the wait is so worth it. I plant them in various shades of pink, white, and red to create stunning vertical interest in my garden. To encourage maximum height, I make sure to stake them early and pinch off the tops when they’re young.
4. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are my secret weapon for quick, edible beauty. They germinate in about a week and bloom in just 8 weeks. I love sprinkling their peppery flowers in salads or using them as a garnish. They’re happiest in poor soil with moderate watering – perfect for my neglected garden corners!
5. Annual Phlox
While not the fastest on this list, annual phlox still impresses me with its 8-10 week blooming time. The fragrant, long-lasting summer blooms are a joy in my garden. I’ve found that regular deadheading and adequate spacing ensure continuous flowering all season long.
6. Wax Begonia
Wax begonias are my reliable friends in the garden. They germinate in 10-15 days and start flowering in about 10 weeks. While slightly slower than some others, their low-maintenance nature more than makes up for it. I plant them in partially shaded areas and keep the soil consistently moist for best results.
7. Cornflowers (Bachelor’s Buttons)
Cornflowers have a special place in my heart with their vibrant blue blooms. They flower in 8-10 weeks and have a moderate growth rate. I love pairing them with contrasting yellow flowers like marigolds or sunflowers for a striking display.
8. Daffodils
Living in an area with moderate rainfall and temperatures, I’ve had great success with daffodils. These cheerful flowers bloom in just 4-6 weeks, brightening up my early spring garden with their orange, yellow, and white hues. I’ve found that planting them in drifts creates a stunning naturalized look.
9. Marigolds
Marigolds are my go-to for quick color and pest control. They bloom in 6-8 weeks from seed, even faster from cuttings. I plant them throughout my vegetable garden to deter pests naturally. Their variety of warm colors adds a lovely touch to my late summer landscape.
10. Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
I’m always charmed by the delicate beauty of Nigella. With a germination time of 2-3 weeks and blooming in 2-3 months, they’re not the fastest, but their unique pastel blooms and lacy foliage are worth the wait. I love letting them self-seed for surprise pops of color each year.
11. Johnny Jump-Ups (Violas)
These little charmers are a constant delight in my garden. They germinate quickly and bloom from spring through fall. I’ve scattered them in well-drained, sunny spots throughout my garden, where they create a whimsical carpet of purples, yellows, and whites.
12. Impatiens (Touch-me-not)
Impatiens have been my savior for shady spots. Growing up to 2-3 feet tall in about 8 weeks, they’re perfect for filling empty spaces fast. I’ve found that planting them close together really does speed up their growth and creates a lush, colorful display.
13. Sweet Peas
Sweet peas are my favorite for adding vertical interest quickly. I start them indoors 2 weeks before the last frost, and they reward me with fragrant blooms in about 10 weeks. Training them up trellises or fences has transformed bare walls into flowering spectacles.
14. Petunias
Petunias are my secret weapon for instant color. While they grow quickly from seed, I often use cuttings for even faster results – blooms appear in just a few weeks! I make sure they get 6-8 hours of sun daily and plant them in well-draining soil for the best show.
15. Morning Glories
I love how morning glories can quickly cover a fence or trellis. They germinate in 1-2 weeks and start flowering at the 2-month mark. I’ve found that soaking the seeds overnight before planting speeds up germination even more.
16. California Poppy
These golden beauties are a staple in my low-maintenance garden areas. They germinate in 10-20 days and bloom about 2 months later. I’ve had the best success direct-sowing them in areas with poor soil and full sun.
17. Zinnias
Zinnias are my go-to for a quick and colorful cutting garden. They germinate in just 3-7 days and start blooming 5-6 weeks later. I make sure to deadhead regularly, which keeps them blooming non-stop until the first frost.
18. Cosmos
I love the delicate, daisy-like flowers of cosmos. They bloom about 50-60 days after planting, and I’ve found they’re perfect for adding height and movement to my garden borders. They’re also great self-seeders, coming back year after year with minimal effort on my part.
19. Sunflowers
Sunflowers never fail to bring a smile to my face. They germinate in about a week, form buds in 5-10 weeks, and bloom 8-10 days later. I plant a variety of heights, from dwarf types for borders to giant ones for a stunning backdrop.